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Matthew J. Fiorillo, President and Owner of the Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services, located in White Plains and Elmsford in Westchester County, NY, has announced a merger with Libby Funeral Home located at 55 Teller Avenue in Beacon. Libby Funeral Home has been owned and operated by Jarett and Eileen Quick for over a decade.
Over the past 30 years thousands of independent funeral homes have been acquired by large international corporations that consolidate family-owned businesses. Often, families wanting to retire sell their businesses to the corporations because there was no other option. Jarett Quick’s priority was to find a merger partner with experience in a mid-size community who would provide personal service to the families that have come to depend on Libby Funeral Home. Both of Mr. Fiorillo’s funeral homes are in similar communities south of Beacon, and he understands the importance of personal and professional service. Libby Funeral Home will be staffed by experienced funeral directors licensed in the state of New York.
According to Mr. Fiorillo, “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to continue the Libby Funeral Home’s tradition of independence and community-centered service. Beacon residents are family oriented with traditional funeral customs. It’s very hard for a large corporation with hundreds of funeral homes to be knowledgeable of local funeral customs. No two communities are exactly the same, but we are committed to personal service. We work very hard to listen in order to learn how families wish to be served and to arrange memorable and meaningful services.”
Keeping costs within families’ budgets is a primary challenge for family-owned funeral homes nationally. Prices tend to be higher at funeral homes operated by large corporations (based upon national price surveys conducted by consumer advocate groups, including Consumer Report May issue, 2001).
Mr. Fiorillo continues, “Funeral costs have increased over the years, but at a rate lower than the US Consumer Price Index. There is real pressure on independent firms to make every reasonable effort to reduce operating costs. The best way to control costs is by merging with other funeral homes. With Libby Funeral Home joining Ballard-Durand, we will be able to maintain our prices by improving our negotiating position with vendors, such as casket manufacturers and other companies. It will also allow us to expand our special services, such as video tributes, aftercare services, public outreach activities and our funeral preplanning services, without increasing costs.”
For the many local families who have pre-arranged and pre-paid for their funeral services with the Libby Funeral Home, they should know these funds have been invested in state-approved financial vehicles, either bank trust accounts or a state-approved trust fund created specifically for pre-funding funeral arrangements. Mr. Fiorillo assures these families that in either case, these trust funds and insurance policies will remain intact.
“I appreciate your confidence in Libby Funeral Home, and I know what an important decision it was for you to invest in pre-paid funeral arrangements,” Mr. Fiorillo adds “It is important you know the funds you set aside to meet your funeral expenses are secure. I invite you to visit the Libby Funeral Home at 55 Teller Avenue in Beacon at your convenience to review your pre-arrangements or to get answers to questions concerning funeral costs, cremation, personalized services, and funeral planning.”
To contact the Libby Funeral Home, telephone (845) 831-0179.
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