St. Michael's Cemetery Earns ICFA Award

St. Michael's Cemetery, East Elmhurst, has been awarded a First Place and the Grand Prize in the International Cemetery and Funeral Association (ICFA) 2005 KIP (Keeping It Personal) Awards, recognizing the best in personalization in the cemetery and funeral service profession.

St. Michael's Cemetery Director of Sales Edward Horn submitted the winning entry in the Most Personalized Service or Memorial category for a memorial dedicated to the Queens firefighters who died on 9/11. Inscribed with memory medallions containing the stories and photos of all those listed, the memorial is a tribute to the lives of the firefighters lost on that day. With the touch of a special wand to a medallion, visitors to the memorial can see photos of a loved one and a personal history.

The ICFA 2005 KIP Awards contest drew 39 entries from across North America and abroad. Four marketing and communications professionals from outside the cemetery and funeral service profession performed the judging.

All the judges were impressed with St. Michael's Cemetery for "going the extra mile" with its touching tribute to the firefighters. One commented, "Outstanding testimonial for both St. Michael's and Ed Horn. A fitting memorial paying tribute to those brave souls lost in the horrible events of 9/11."

"The dedication St. Michael's Cemetery shows in creating this memorial shows their commitment to personalization, to serving the community and to providing caring, meaningful services for families at a time of need," Julie A. Burn, chair of the ICFA Personalization Committee, said. They are true leaders within our profession and deserving recipients of this prestigious award."

As the grand prize winner, Horn received a free registration to the ICFA 2006 Convention & Exposition, March 13 to 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, his company will be recognized during the convention and in International Cemetery & Funeral Management Magazine.

Founded in 1887, the ICFA is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral and memorialization industry. Its membership is comprised of more than 7,400 cemeteries, funeral homes, memorial designers, crematories and related businesses worldwide.