Member News

Join us in welcoming 4 new members to the OGR family

Schlientz & Moore Funeral Home in Dayton, Ohio, joined January 5. Gertrude Schlientz, grandmother of current owner Jim Moore, was the first woman in the state to receive a dual funeral director - embalmer license. The OGR Board of Directors also offers the firm congratulations and best wishes on their recent celebration of 100 years in business.

Day Funeral Home in Keyport, New Jersey, joined January 28. Owners Frank DeBlasi, Sr., CFSP, and his brother Mike DeBlasi purchased the funeral home in 2006 and are excited to connect with other members and use their member benefits to continue their funeral home's goal of providing exceptional service.

Frank DeBlasi, Sr., CFSP

Mike DeBlasi, Jr.

Warner-Wozniak Funeral Home, with locations in Wallington and Clifton, New Jersey, joined February 25. Owner Brian Warner worked at another OGR firm over 30 years ago. At the urging of current OGR member Jim Marrocco (Marrocco Memorial Chapel also in Clifton, New Jersey), he decided to become a part of an association where he and his wife Deb could find innovative educational programs, connect with funeral directors who share their commitment to the profession and to help with their funeral home's continued growth.

OGR welcomes back Twiford Funeral Homes with locations in Elizabeth City and Manteo, North Carolina. David T wiford and his sons, David, Jr. and J.J. are the third and fourth generations to run their family funeral home. A special thank you to Jim Rudolph of OGR member Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, Florida, for encouraging Twiford to rejoin OGR. Twiford is part of the VFC Provider Network.

Welcome also to new student member Beyunka Davis-Hobbs, who attends Malcolm X College in Chicago, Illinois.

Fremont Chapel of the Roses under new ownership

Congratulations to Dennis Moore, who has purchased Fremont Chapel of the Roses in Fremont, California. This funeral home has been a member of OGR since 1963 and Dennis was employed at the funeral home prior to becoming the new owner. The former owner, Nancy Schroder, will remain with the funeral home for the next year and we wish her well as she moves toward retirement.

Pray builds Viking burial ship for Nordic fire festival

Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, Michigan, built a model Oseberg Viking Burial Ship that can be used as an urn for cremated remains. It was a special project as part of a community outreach effort at the Michigan Nordic Fire Festival.

Festival attendees learned about Viking funerals and how they could use some of those traditions today.

Pray Funeral Home built a model Oseberg Viking Burial Ship for the Michigan Nordic Fire Festival in February 2022.

photo courtesy Pray Funeral Home

Field appointed OBE

Jeremy Field, managing director of OGR international member CPJ Field, the U.K.’s oldest funeral home, was been appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in January's New Year’s Honours List. The award is made in recognition of the support and advice he has given to the funeral sector over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the beneficial impact on bereaved families as they have sought to honor the lives of loved ones. He also helped draft government COVID-19 guidance and provided analysis on the implications of sector capacity to help guide government policy, as well as representing the industry at various government briefings.

Jeremy Field, managing director of OGR international member CPJ Field

Green 'Best of the Best'

George Irvin Green Funeral Home in Munhall, Pennsylvania, won "Best of the Best" for funeral homes in their area as part of a community choice awards program run through their local newspaper.

Plummer featured in radio interview

Terry Plummer of Plummer Funeral Services in Litchfield, Illinois, was featured in an interview on his local radio station, WSMI, discussing the challenges and joys of being a funeral director, including the financial considerations on planning a funeral and the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on funerals.