The Funeral Directors Commission

MY COMMISSION

My vocation is worthy; it affords me a distinct opportunity to serve society.

The ideals of my profession are high, as summerized in the Golden Rule - - "all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye evenso unto them."

I will deal reverently with all deceased members of society; I will follow those who, before my calling was a profession, labored for the sake of service itself.

I will extend helpful service to all who are bereaved, doing for them according to my needs, were conditions reversed.

I shall seek ways and means to amplify this service which I shall perform.

I will share with others whatever I learn and thus upbuild the profession of which I am a member.

Final Arrangements - Do You Have A Written Plan?

Here is a sample list of items that can be included in you final arrangements document. This document will assist your family or person(s) in carrying out your final wishes with regard to burial or cremation. This document can accompany your WILL and should be placed with other important documents. You can add additional items that are important to you in planning your final arrangements.

Final Arrangements for Mr. John Doe

I request that the following instructions and preferences be honored after my death:

Part 1. Body Donation

I have or have not made arrangements to donate my whole body.

Part 2. Organ Donation

I direct that my organs should or should not be donated.

Part 3. Cremation or Burial (Choose One)

I want my body to be buried.

I want my body to be cremated

Part 4. Burial Instructions
A. Please Contact XYZ Mortuary to Care for My Final Arrangements and the details of my services.

B. Embalming
I want to be embalmed.

C. Casket
18 Gauge Steel, Silver with Silver Hardware, Interior Color is Champagne Velvet (OT9
Platinum- Batesville Brand)

D. Pre-burial Ceremony
At the funeral home and at the Spring Hill Cemetery - Huntington, West Virginia

E. Pallbearers - I want the following pallbearers to carry my casket to the final resting place.
Co-workers - (Enter Names Here)
Cousins - (Enter Names Here)
Church Members - (Enter Names Here)

F. Transportation to grave
Please use a Hearse or Horse Drawn Buggy to Transport Me to My Final Resting Place.

G. Burial site
No preference.

H. Graveside Ceremony
No preference.

I. Marker
Flat Bronze Double Marker with Vase.

J. Epitaph
Gone but Not Forgotten

K. Memorial Ceremony
No preference.

Part 5. Person to Oversee My Wishes
No preference.

Part 6. Clergy or person acting as such
Rev. Jonathon Moore


I, Mr. John Doe, declare that I have read these instructions and that they accurately reflect my wishes for final arrangements after my death.

Date:______________________________

___________________________________
Signature



I am not an attorney and do not claim to be offering any form of legal advice regarding the above mentioned topic. This information is to be used as a resource to assist in your portfolio of planning documents. For legal advice seek out an attorney.

Do You Have A Medical Power Of Attorney?

Just like many other planning documents, the MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY is a VERY important document to have in place.

The Medical Power of Attorney simply states the person(s) that you trust and want to make health care decisions when you cannot make them for yourself.

A Medical Power of Attorney is so important to you and to your loved ones.

Having a Medical Power of Attorney simply allows you to legally appoint a representative to act upon your behalf and to make health decisions for you. You may also choose a successor representative in the event that the first representative is unable, unwilling, or disqualified to serve in this capacity.

The Medical Power of Attorney only covers health care decisions relating to Medical treatment(s), surgical treatment(s), nursing care, medication, hospitalization, care and treatment in a nursing home, or other facility, and home health care.

The person you will appoint to this position is someone whom you, trust, believe understands your wishes and values and will act and carry out your health care decisions in the exact manor in which you would carry them out.

Like the Living Will, there typically is a place within the document for your typed or handwritten specific comments and instructions regarding the use of feeding tubes, breathing machines, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, dialysis and mental health treatment if you so desire.

This document is typically only a couple pages in length and requires your signature, the signature and date of witnesses as well as a state notary.

Creating a Medical Power Of Attorney is quite simple and like a WILL and LIVING WILL, everyone should have one in place.

There are several places to obtain the living will such as www.legalzoon.com, www.uslegalforms.com, local hospitals and medical centers, etc.

I am not an attorney and do not claim to be offering any form of legal advice regarding the above mentioned topic. This information is to be used as a resource to assist in your portfolio of planning documents. For legal advice seek out an attorney.

Do You Have A Living Will?

Just like a WILL, and many other planning documents, the LIVING WILL is never thought about very much until the need arises and then we or our families oftentimes wish we had been better planners. That is what Planning for Tomorrow is all about, helping and providing basic resources to become better planners.

A Living Will is so important to you and to your loved ones. Having a Living Will says you care about those making decisions upon your behalf as well as states your specific desires regarding your medical attention that you want.

A Living Will simply states the kind of medical treatment(s) that you would want provided for you as well as the type of treatment(s) you do not want if you have a terminal medical condition or if you become in a persistent vegetative state and cannot make those decisions at that time.

Every state has a specific living will for that specific state. The Living Will is typically only a couple of pages in length and states the month, day and year that the Living Will was created as well as your specific directives, limitations and your intensions.

There typically is a place within the document for your typed or handwritten specific comments and instructions regarding the use of feeding tubes, breathing machines, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, dialysis and mental health treatment if you so desire.

The document will then be signed and dated by you as well as will need to be witnessed and then notarized by a state notary.
Creating a living will is quite simple and like a WILL, everyone should have one in place.

There are several places to obtain the living will such as www.legalzoon.com, www.uslegalforms.com, local hospitals and medical centers, etc.


I am not an attorney and do not claim to be offering any form of legal advice regarding the above mentioned topic. This information is to be used as a resource to assist in your portfolio of planning documents. For legal advice seek out an attorney.

Huntington native Frederick H. (Fred) Kitchen reflects on his involvement with "We Are Marshall" Movie

Marshall University Movie News - June 8, 2006
Hollywood came to Huntington, West Virginia to tell the story of the aftermath of the 1970 Marshall plane crash. Check here for the inside scoop and to share your thoughts about the film.


Frederick H. (Fred) Kitchen sent us this report on his involvement in the movie:
Fred Kitchen has been actively involved in the behind the scenes planning from the on set of filming by coordinating the logistical aspect of supplying caskets for the critical and highly emotionally charged funeral and cemetery scenes in the “We Are Marshall” movie.

Beyond coordinating specific caskets for the scenes in Atlanta, he offered consultative advice to the Set Decorator, Meg Everest – (Sweet Tea Pictures., LLC) for realism of the funeral home scenes in the movie as well as provide additional funeral home equipment needed for the scenes. He was also used as an extra cast member in the funeral home scenes of the movie as well as the team memorial services held at the Thundering Herd Stadium.

The realism of the stadium is incredibly close to the old Fairfield Stadium down to the details of the scoreboard. It was like stepping back in time. The Cast and crew that I was in contact with seems to be taking this movie and the realism very serious.

“Prior to the filming in Huntington, we worked closely with a Huntington funeral home director, Tim Carpenter researching newspaper clippings as well as other forms of archive media and provided Warner Bros. & Sweet Tea Pictures, LLC with specifically selected caskets for the funeral and cemetery scenes filmed in Huntington’s Springhill Cemetery. “Our goal was to provide caskets that replicated the 1970 time as well as to make certain that dignity and honor would be portrayed for those who lost their lives in this tragic event as well as for their families.

Warner Bros. & Sweat Tea Pictures, LLC, extended a personal invitation to me to be on set in Atlanta, Ga. during the filming of the emotional funeral home scenes as well as being cast as an extra in several scenes. Those on set were Mathew Fox (Red Dawson), January Jones, (Carol Dawson), Anthony Mackie (Nate Ruffin), Huntley Ritter – (Randy Lindon), Ian McShane – (Paul Griffin) as well as many others.

During the filming of the highly emotional funeral home and the Thundering Herd Team Memorial Service scenes, you could feel the realness of the entire experience as they told what was actually going on during the service with regard to grieving family members. The Funeral Home scenes were filmed on Campus at Morris Brown College – Gaines Hall and the Team Memorial Service was filmed at the Herndon Stadium at the college in Atlanta on Tuesday, June 6, 2006. Additional Church Funeral Scenes are scheduled to be filmed in Atlanta at a later date and time.

Before coming back to West Virginia on Wednesday, I watched the football practices and scenes being filmed. The realism of the stadium, actors and characters dressed in 1970’s period clothing, the band playing, the old Marco mascot running up and down the field made it feel real and nostalgic.

In watching the energy of Mathew McConaughey – (Coach Jack Lengval), on the field, I believe he is really is going to portray the epitome of the Marshall spirit and will show the energy and foundation of how our Marshall University football program was re-built to what it is today.

Several crewmembers discussed of how receptive Huntington, people were to them and how cooperative everyone was during the filming in Huntington. I told them this was not just any movie filming in Huntington; this was personal and a highly emotional part of many people’s lives – a real event that hurt many people.

“For me, the experience has been most memorable, emotionally charged and will positively impact my life forever. The raw emotions surrounding this tragedy have been re-visited by many in the Huntington area as well as the entire Marshall University family. From what I have seen, I believe this tragedy will be portrayed as a true triumph for Huntington and Marshall University while portraying the perseverance and strength of West Virginians. I also believe the movie will offer a true form of emotional healing to all affected by this tragedy that will never be forgotten!

Fred is a graduate Huntington East High School, Marshall University, and Mid-America College of Funeral Service.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to be involved in this major motion picture that tells a true and noble story about a tragic event that affected my hometown and many families, and friends on November 14, 1970.” Fred now resides in Milton, WV with his wife, Amber and daughter, Annalise.

Compliments of The Herald Dispatch Newspaper, Huntington, West Virginia - June 8, 2006