The company, which developed the original Crematory Operator Certification Program (COCP) in 1985, will begin offering the first Advanced Crematory Operations and Executive Cremationist courses this summer.

Commencement exercises were recently held for the February 2013 graduating students of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service at the Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. The graduate speaker was Starr Hutchings Purdue of Hutchings Funeral Home in Macon, Georgia. In addition, Purdue is the National Treasurer of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.

April 26, 2013 - Homesteaders Chairman-President Graham J. Cook announced today that preparations are underway for his transition from day-to-day management of the company.

April 24, 2013 - Marshall, Ill. - Doric Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of lined concrete and metal burial vaults, is pleased to announce the addition of Mossy Oak Breakup® and Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity® personalization to their already extensive offering of vault personalization options.  When making funeral arrangements, families are consistently looking for ways to make the service unique and reflect the interests of the person they lost.  Personalization graphics provide a way for them to add a custom

April 19, 2013 - Des Moines, Iowa - A.M. Best Company announced today that it has affirmed Homesteaders’ financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) with a stable outlook.

April 24, 2013 - Doric Products has unveiled the first iPad® app for burial vault selection.  There is a constant topic on the minds of funeral professionals these days regarding the way the industry is rapidly changing and that the times of traditional funeral planning is becoming a thing of the past.  Funeral directors are looking towards innovative products and technologies to keep up with the new expectations of their

April 17, 2013 - Quality manufacturers and international industry professionals are gathering at the Asia Funeral & Cemetery Expo & Conference, May 16-18, 2013, in Hong Kong. They include: