Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educational Trust Names Recipient of Leadership Academy Scholarship

DEERFIELD, ILL. — February 24, 2016 — Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educational Trust has chosen Abby Snider-Robinson as its third recipient of the Selected Leadership Academy Scholarship. Snider-Robinson, funeral director at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home & Crematory in Dayton, Ohio was selected from a notable field of candidates to participate in the Selected Leadership Academy, a two-year structured program offered exclusively to members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

Snider-Robinson comes from a family with a history in funeral service. She is a fourth generation funeral director, and the first female in her family.  The firm was started 75 years ago by her great-grandfather Eugene Baker in 1941. 

“Since age twelve, I knew this is what I wanted to do,” said Snider-Robinson.  “I wanted to be just like my dad.”

She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Leadership Communications and Art Studio and worked at the firm on summers and weekends. She officially began working full time in 2010 and earned her funeral director’s license in May of 2013. 

“I grew up in the funeral business and I could not image myself in any other profession,” said Snider-Robinson. “I am blessed to have the role models and co-workers that I have around me.

The scholarship will cover Snider-Robinson’s registration fee for the two-year enrollment of the 2016 Leadership Academy class. She will also receive a reimbursement payment each year to waive the cost of books. The total estimated value of this scholarship is $4,890.

Any individual currently employed full-time (and not a majority owner) at a firm maintaining full membership in Selected Independent Funeral Homes is eligible to apply.

 Information about the program, including application deadlines as well as the application can be accessed on the official website at http://www.selectedtrust.org/leadership-academy-scholarship.

The Leadership Academy Scholarship is one of several programs of the Selected Educational Trust which was founded by Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a worldwide professional association of independent, locally-owned funeral homes founded in 1917. By creating the program, the Trust hopes to encourage involvement in the Leadership Academy, fostering more leaders within the funeral service profession.

About the Trust:  Established in 1982, the Selected Independent Funeral Homes’ Educational Trust strives to enrich the professionalism of the independent funeral practitioner through lifelong learning and is dedicated to funding the development and administration of research initiatives, assistance grants, award programs and the presentation of educational programs dealing with business management, counseling, personnel management and other topics of importance and interest to the members of Selected and independently owned and operated funeral home professionals. More information on the Selected Educational Trust and its activities can be found at www.selectedtrust.org.

Organ Donor

"Organ donation is not a tragedy but it can be a beautiful light in the midst of one.” - Anonymous

My son and I live in Brookville, which is a small community.  The second week of school on Friday, August 28th four teenagers were involved in a car accident.  One young lady died at the scene the other three were sent to hospitals.  Two of the three in critical condition.  On Sunday, August 30th another one of the young ladies died from her injuries. She was a classmate of my son.  On Monday the school held a prayer vigil in the evening for the community.  More than 500 people attended.  The parents of the young lady that died on Sunday were there.  They shared with all in attendance the pain of losing of their daughter.  They begged all the teenagers there to not speed.  To stop and think when they are driving. They also shared that they had donated Emily's organs to save other lives.  It was the only moment in the evening when everyone clapped and cheered. Not only will she live on in the hearts and minds of her family and friends, she has now brought hope to others.  Because of their selfless act of organ donation several lives were touched. 

When someone is an organ donor the funeral home and the family will receive a letter from the Tissue Bank.  It will list the information about where the organs went.  Not specific names but it will say something like her lungs went to a 28 year old female in Michigan who has two children.  It will list all of the people who have been helped and even saved by this gift.  I have to believe that the families of the donor will read this letter over and over.  I hope that they can gain some kind of peace in their time of loss. 

Organ donation saves lives.  1 Organ donor can save up to 8 lives and heal up to 50.  22 people will die each day waiting for an organ. How can you help?  You can register to be a donor.   If you would like further information on organ donation or how to register visit www.organdonor.gov.  In the state of Ohio you can go to http://www.donatelifeohio.org/. 

Organ donation is a personal decision that everyone has to make for themselves.  If you’re a donor make sure that your family and friends know your wishes.  I hope through the gift of her donation that Emily's family can begin to heal.  Just like the healing that her gift brought to all who received her organs. 

"Without the organ donor, there is no story, no hope, and no transplant.  But when there is an organ donor, life springs from death, sorrow turns to hope and a terrible loss becomes a gift."  - UNOS

 By Angela Garrett

SOCIAL MEDIA IN A FUNERAL HOME?

SOCIAL MEDIA IN A FUNERAL HOME?

”Tag, you’re it!”

“Tag me!”

“Let’s take a selfie”

“Friend me”

Are you on social media?

WE ARE! Technology is moving faster than me typing these words.

Did you know that people are getting a college degree in Social Media Marketing?

We at Baker/Hazel & Snider are on board. We tweet, we pin, we tag, we share, we swipe…

We think it is so important to be relevant to what is going on in the clouds. Yes, we serve an older generation, but more importantly we care for the whole family. We want all of our families to be relevant in their loved one’s end of life planning. Families are split up and live all over the world. So here at our funeral home, we want people to know that even though you can’t be right here physically, you are here and we are connected to you.

We have a google account, facebook page, a pinterest account, a twitter. We take photos and share them.

How many of you google the company’s name before you try their food, or buy their clothes, or use their services? MOST EVERYONE! How many of you moms read reviews on Amazon before buying that new double stroller for your two young ones? I DO.

“Seventy-two percent of Millennials research and shop their options online before going to a store or the mall.” –www.cmo.com

How many of you give your email address out more than my cell phone number. – I DO

My point?
I wouldn’t use a company if they didn’t have an up-to-date website, or a Facebook account.

We need transparency.
www.bakerhazelsnider.com 

 By: Abby Snider-Robinson, Funeral Director 

By Rick Snider

“Just Cremate Me”

Currently, less than 30% of the population goes to a house of worship on a regular basis.  Some 30 years ago most families attended a church or house of worship, and religion was an important part of their life.  The church also provided a place for dealing with a death.  Grieving provides comfort for those who fear the unknown and questions, “What happens when a person dies? “.   The increase in technology has encouraged people to become detached from the human experience, including the experience of losing someone through death. 

Cremation is not a funeral; it’s a disposition of the human remains.  When a person dies, there is still an emotional connection and relationship that was nurtured over time.  Funeral directing is not about burial or cremation, it’s about helping people grieve and separate from their loved one by creating a meaningful service. 

To experience the reality of death and begin this grief process, it is very important for mourners to view the body in a setting that is peaceful and provides a time to say good-bye.  30% of the families we serve choose to accomplish this by asking us to prepare the remains for viewing and placing the body in a rental casket, prior to the cremation, so that family and friends may share in this together. 

Our value statement at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home & Crematory is to serve by providing a time and place for Recognizing, Honoring & Commemorating a Life.  For 73 years and 4 generations we have been privileged and honored to serve those in need. You get one chance when it comes to a funeral; make sure it’s discussed and planned for everyone to benefit and participate.    

Be Aware!

"October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. We have made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and need your help!"-www.nationalbreastcancer.org

This month we celebrate The Women.

The women who have suffered and battled Breast Cancer. It can occur in Men also-so we think of those men that have it as well.

Here are some Facts about Breast Cancer:

1.        1:8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer

2.        It is the most common cancer in women

3.        It is the second leading cause of death among women

4.        Each year it is est. that over 220,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.

5.        Although, breast cancer in men is rare, an est. 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approx. 410 will die each year.

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts

Risk Factors: Watch this Video

 http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-risk-factors

Genetic Factors:

Here are some factors that cannot be changed

1. Gender: Breast Cancer occurs nearly 100 times more often in women than in men

2. Age: 2:3 women with invasive cancer are diagnosed after age 55

3. Race:  Breast Cancer is diagnosed more often in Caucasian women than women of other races.

4. Family History: if your mother, sister, father or child has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, you have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future. Your risk increases if your relative was diagnosed before the age of 50.

5. Menstrual & Reproductive History: Early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after 55), having your first child at an older age, or never having given birth can also increase your risk for breast cancer.

6. Certain Genome Changes: Mutations in certain genes, this is determined through a genetic test.

7. Dense Breast Tissue: this can increase your risk as well. It can make the lumps harder to detect. It is a law in most states for the Doctor to disclose this dense tissue information to their patients.

If you would like to make a donation please visit:

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-donations

Other Ways to help:

1.  Donate a Mammogram- $100, provides a mammogram for a woman in need

2.  Start a Fundraiser-Try and bring your community together

3.  Become a Sponsor- You can partner with a nationally-recognized charity.

4.  Shop at www.nbcfshop.com

                               We want to help people be aware! Wear Pink! 

Resources:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-risk-factors

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-risk-factors

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-donations

http://www.shopkomen.com

Healthy Lifestyle

Following are some helpful guidelines to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Always, consult with your physician prior to beginning any diet or exercise program.

Eating Healthy

Adjusting your diet to make healthy eating choices is probably one of the most difficult changes. Learn to consciously notice what you are eating and make healthy choices. Keeping a food diary to record the food you are eating, the amount, the time of day and the nutritional value of the food is a very helpful way to realize exactly what you are eating. There several free apps for Android and Apple phones, such as My Fitness Pal, to help keep you on track.

Exercise & Fitness

Maintain or improve your fitness by increasing your activity level. This may be achieved by choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator or by choosing a parking spot that requires a longer walk to reach your destination. Jumping rope is an inexpensive and effective way to increase your cardio activity.  

Family and Friends Support

A successful healthy lifestyle begins with continued support from family and friends.  Remember, getting off track does not equate failure. Having a partner on your journey to healthy living will only improve your chances of success.   

Health Coaching

Health coaching is an approach to guiding people through behavior change utilizing goal setting, accountability and support. Health coaching can help you to achieve greater physical and mental well-being while providing you with tools to make lasting improvements.

Sleep

Getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night is easier said than done. Understanding your Circadian Rhythm is vital in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Learning relaxation techniques and ways to improve your sleep schedule will help in your goal of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/Factsheet_CircadianRhythms.aspx

Community Wellness Programs:

Good Samaritan Hospital, http://www.goodsamdayton.org/gshdefault.aspx?id=9998

City of Dayton, http://www.daytonrecreationandyou.com/AllProgramGrid.cfm

Miami Valley Hospital, http://www.miamivalleyhospital.org/mvhdefault.aspx?id=10922

Kettering Health Network, http://www.ketteringhealth.org/communityoutreach/

Saying Good-Bye

Saying Good-Bye

By: Angela Garrett

Saying good-bye is something that we all do everyday.  Most of the time we don't even give it much thought.  It's just a simple good-bye on the telephone or when we are walking out the door.  The definition of good-bye in the dictionary is a farewell at parting.  This past week good-bye has taken on a whole new meaning for my family.  My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in January. For the past seven months, she has been doing chemo to try to put the cancer in remission.  Last week, we were told the chemo did not work.  There a few options to give us more time but nothing that will put the cancer in remission.  So now, for my family, we are starting our good-bye.  I feel blessed to have the time to say good-bye to my mom.  I remind myself that not everyone gets that opportunity.  I've seen it with families that we serve here at our funeral home.  

The fact that I've worked at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home for the past 20 years gives me a chance to know what goes on after death: the planning and details of a funeral service; the importance of celebrating life not death. I feel blessed to know at that time I will have my family here at the funeral home to help me.  I know they will care for my mom with love and respect.  I have watched Neil Hazel  and Rick Snider and all of our staff help families in anyway possible.  Working here will not change my pain or grief.  I will have to work through it.  This experience will help me to better serve our families.

Because of my faith and my mom's faith in God, I have peace.  Yes, I am sad!  Yes, I am mad at cancer!  Everyday it's a roller coaster ride of emotions.  Some are good and some are bad.  I can't change any of them.  I just have to roll with them and trust my Creator to bring me through.  When the time comes and I lay my mom's earthly shell to rest, I have hope that my final good-bye will not be forever. I will see her again!  I believe in Heaven  as much as I believe in gravity.  I can't see gravity but I feel it's pull.  When my mom is gone, I will feel the pull of Heaven even more.  

Right now, time feels like a friend and an enemy.  I have time to say the things that I need to say to my mom. I have the time to be with my mom while she is still feeling well.  Still, in the back of my mind I know that time is slipping away.  Time that we can't get back.  I don't want to waste my time with tears now, but I'm human so of course I've shed many tears this past week.  Sometimes I feel bad when I laugh, but then I remember that life has to go on.  My mom doesn't want us to be sad all the time.  She loves to hear me laugh! We've all been sitting and recalling fun and happy memories.  We are making plans to take a trip as a family.  We are having family pictures taken.  I told the doctor last week that I didn't want my mom to live dying.  I want her to die living.  So we are LIVING!