Our Member Benefits make the difference in maintaining an exceptional independent funeral home

OGR understands the particular needs of the independent funeral home and offers targeted programs, resources, services and networking opportunities that help them become  — and stay— exceptional.

The examples below are just some of the benefits our members enjoy. To learn more, or to inquire about membership for your funeral home, contact the membership department., (800) 637-8030.

Professional Development
Resources
Business Solutions
Music License

Annual Conference - Enjoy the company and camaradarie of professionals and build relationships across North America. Stay on top of what is happening in your industry with seminars on trends and how to care for families.

Educational Forums — Improve your operation with knowledge and ideas while earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Invitationals — Members host programs where they can share personal interests and activities with colleagues. Invitationals have included pheasant hunting, auto racing and fly fishing.

Audio Seminars — Cost-effective programs offering 60-minutes of successful strategies for operating your funeral home each month.

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The Independent — 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, along with OGR news, programs and services.

Resource Guide — Your "must have" guide to staying in touch with your OGR network. The annual publication includes a member roster, with ship-out rates, program and product details and more. Keep it handy as a quick reference to the membership and OGR's network of supplier partners and exclusive products.

Family Contact — 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.

All Member Email — Powerful netwroking tool allowing members to communicate instantly via email to ask questions or share expertise.

Press Release Program - Reach your community with news about events and people at your funeral home.

Recognition Programs - Awards granted yearly recognizing member accomplishments, leadership and service.

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Co-op Buying Program — Establish business relationships with top-quality suppliers for all of your supplies, business services and stationery needs.

Compassionate Care - OGR's exclusive aftercare resource in one simple presentation package. Can be customized to family's needs.

Business Aids - Save on personalized pre-need, at-need and aftercare products. Other printed materials include business cards, letterhead, envelopes, presentation folders and more.

Dues Option Program – A smart move that saves you time and effort. By participating in the OGR/Aurora First Program, you can apply a portion of your annual year-end rebate toward your membership dues, and receive an additional 2% dues discount.

[See Aurora Casket Company in Supplier Index.]

Preneed Alliance – Industry experience, savings and marketing strategies. The Preneed Alliance with Aurora Casket Company, Homesteaders Life Company and Preneed Funeral Program (PFP) provides members with preneed insurance choices. Members have access to the best policies on the market created by Homesteaders and can be assured that PFP, working cohesively with Aurora, has put together a superior solution.

As an added feature, members can combine OGR’s Family Contact with PFP’s SoftTouch personalized note card system into an effective aftercare program. Take advantage of this profitable partnership for your firm and provide peace of mind for families.

[See Preneed Funeral Program in Supplier Index.]

Golden Rule Funeral Trust – Exclusive to members, the Golden Rule Funeral Trust offers the investment, accounting and online services of Access Financial Group/Interment Trust Services to make your life easier. When you invest in the Golden Rule Funeral Trust, Access Financial will handle the administrative tasks of taxes and filings.Your money is invested in government-backed securities and bonds, whereby all transactions are cleared through Bear Stearns and assets are protected by SIPC insurance.Though no one can offer a guaranteed return, Access Financial uses stable funds; no state or other association can interfere with the timely payment of these funds when you need them.

[See Interment Trust Services in Supplier Index.]

Find details on the above at Co-op Buying.

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Music License at the best rate available

Start or Renew your music license at $223 the lowest possible rate.

(Read what NFDA says about ASCAP inspections of funeral homes with no music license.)

Thanks to OGR’s alliance with the Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC), members receive the lowest rate available for their 2009 music license renewal.

By renewing your music license, you maintain copyright protection by the three primary music licensing agencies, BMI, ASCAP and SESAC, and ensure you are following the 1984 U.S. Copyright Law and avoid penalties up to $30,000.

Download and print the 2009-2010 Music License Renewal Form to apply for a license or to renew an existing license. For questions, contact the membership department, (800) 637-8030.

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