How to Join
The International Order of the Golden Rule

Top Ten Reasons to Join OGR
Main Firm Membership
Affiliate Membership
Student Membership
Student Membership Application
Auxiliary Membership
International Membership
Membership Qualifications
Information Request Form

OGR is a dynamic funeral professional association that stands at the forefront of the funeral profession to address the concerns and needs of the independent, family-owned
and locally owned funeral home.

Members lead their businesses with care, compassion and dignity and the cornerstone philosophy of the association, "Service measured not by gold, but by the Golden Rule."

Established 80 years ago, OGR is committed to your success by providing opportunities for you to connect with the people and resources that help make your work more rewarding and successful.

To learn how you can connect with the OGR ocmmunity, contact Karen Gentles, director of membership or call (800) 637-8030, Ext 105.

Top Ten Reasons to Join OGR

1. New Connections
OGR’s interactive forums allow you to exchange ideas, engage in discussions and discover innovations that will open your mind to new possibilities. Forums include our Annual Conference, educational seminars, audio seminars and Invitationals.

2. Influence Your Community
Get involved in October’s National Family Appreciation Month, a powerful awareness program packed with opportunities to influence your community. You receive practical tips on running your campaign and resources to promote your funeral home with pride.

3. Information You Can Trust
We confront issues that affect the independent funeral home. Our flagship magazine, The Independent®, publishes opinion and commentary on what is happening in the funeral industry, articles that can help you make a difference, member profiles, along with OGR news and resources.

The Resource Guide published annually helps you stay in touch with your OGR network; includes ship-out rates and more.

Access to Regulatory Compliance Services can help you develop, implement and maintain your funeral home's compliance programs.

4. Most Recommended
Golden Rule funeral homes are among the most-recommended funeral homes, earning a consistent 98 percent rating from families for the past five years. Through their commitment to learning and high professional standards, members demonstrate that families are valued.

5. Stand up for Independents
OGR is clearly “The Voice of the Independent Funeral Home.” We speak for members by supporting legislative initiatives and advocating on issues that affect their rights, interests and future.

6. Families Give Honest Feedback
Our Family Contact program allows you to collect honest feedback from your families. You’ll gain a greater understanding of their needs, recognize ideas for improvement, receive well-deserved appreciation for you and your staff and acquire pre-need planning contacts.

7. Commitment to Excellence
You join a distinguished community of like-minded professionals who share your passion for quality care and service to families, and who adhere to our Standards of Ethical Conduct.

8. Partnership with Buying Group
Through our Golden Services Group, members enjoy a broad range of services and products, many at substantial savings. The Aurora program is exceptional and offers significant rebates, discounts and service.

9. Online Services
Access information and services with the click of a mouse at www.ogr.org. Favorite features are the Member Roster/Funeral Home Search and All Member E-mail. Our consumer site at www.golden-rule.com helps the public locate a nearby Golden Rule firm, and offers helpful information.

10. MemberCare
Unsurpassed, personal service sets OGR apart. Our staff is accessible, knowledgeable and ready to help with efficient and supportive service to our members. You can expect the best MemberCare from OGR.

To download Top Ten Reasons to Join OGR, click here

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The Family Contact Follow Up Program provides immediate feedback from families who have recently used your services. Members must use the program for the first two years of membership to further their commitment to excellence in all aspects of serving families.

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Affiliate Membership
Any additional funeral homes owned and managed by the Regular Membership within a 100-mile radius of the Regular Member's location.

International Membership
Funeral homes located outside of the United States and Canada are invited to join, meeting such standards as the Board of Directors may direct.

Auxiliary Membership
Any retired principal of a member firm who has sold or otherwise disposed of his/her interest in that member firm; or the spouse of a deceased principal of member firm; or any person who is a retired employee of a current or former member firm, provided that such persons are not longer actively participating in the funeral profession.

Emeritus Membership - May be extended to any person who has made a extraordinary contribution to the advancement of the purposes of the International Order of the Golden Rule in the opinion of and by unanimous vote of the Board.

Student Membership
College students studying Mortuary Science are invited to join OGR as student members. The annual student membership fee is $35.00. Apply today with the Student Membership Application Form

Student Membership Benefits:

• Subscription to The Independent magazine, a bi-monthly magazine that gives you insights, industry news and association news.
• Annual Resource Guide helps you connect with professionals you need to know.
• Advanced notice and reduced fees for Educational Seminars and Annual Conference.

Educator Membership — Non-member educators, researchers and academics engaged in the study, but not the practice of mortuary science are invited to join OGR. The annual educator membership fee is $50.00. Benefits of Educator Membershp include:

• Subscription to The Independent, a bi-monthly magazine that gives you insights, industry news and association news .
• Annual Resource Guide, a comprehensive guide for member information, services and resources.
• Advanced notice and reduced fees for Educational Seminars or Annual Conference.

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Membership Qualifications

Now is the time to take the next step toward achieving more excellence for your firm. Membership qualifications are high to ensure that families will recognize your funeral home as a distinguished OGR member firm.

There are three basic eligibility requirements:

1. Your funeral home has been in business for at least two years.
   
2. Your Exclusive Member Trade Area is available.
   
3. Your funeral home is independently owned; a publicly traded corporation does not own your firm or management or control of your firm is not in or by a publicly held corporation or limited partnership.

The Application Process
Your Application for Membership includes providing information about your funeral home. We'll also ask for a list of families you have recently served so that we can conduct a Community Survey of families. An OGR regional chairperson will conduct an on-site visit and make a report on your facilities. Finally, our Board of Directors will review your application.

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Information Request Form
To learn more about OGR and request an Application for Membership, contact Karen Gentles, director of membership, (800) 637-8030, Ext 105, or kgentles@ogr.org. Find more about Member Benefits.

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