O’Connor Mortuary Recognized for Community Outreach Programs at National Funeral Home Convention

Laguna Hills, CA, October 14, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Recognized nationally as a leader in the areas of strategic community outreach, education and professional development, Laguna Hills-based O’Connor Mortuary recently carried the distinction of presenting to more than 100 industry peers on these topics at the 93rd annual Selected Independent Funeral Homes national convention in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more than a decade, O’Connor Mortuary has been lauded as a model organization in the area of professional service for the funeral industry.

“Our objective as a dedicated member of the community is to provide our neighbors and colleagues with resources that educate, empower and inspire,” said Neil O’Connor, CEO and President of O’Connor Mortuary, who has spearheaded the iconic mortuary’s efforts to work closely with those that serve the community and the industry. “And as an equally dedicated member of the profession, we’re incredibly honored to have been afforded the opportunity to present our successes in front of this collection of our peers.”

The initiatives highlighted in the presentation included:

- Free educational workshops with approved continuing education units, such as presentations by nationally renowned grief counselor Dr. Bill Hoy

- The Unmasking the Mysteries Tours, which takes participants on an enlightening behind-the-scenes tour of O’Connor Mortuary and its facilities to “demystify” the stigma surrounding mortuaries. Tour participants include community members, as well as nurses, social workers, and hospice professionals, who receive approved continuing education units

- Onsite in-services and workshops at hospices, board & care facilities, hospitals and churches

Over the past 10 years, O’Connor Mortuary has provided continuing education certificates for nearly 1,000 caregiving professionals, helped them to accumulate more than 15,000 hours of state-approved continuing education and saved Orange County caregiving agencies more than $500,000 by helping defray the costs of training and development.

Neil O’Connor was joined by O’Connor Mortuary Community Relations Director Patricia Kolstad and Lee-Anne Godfrey, Director of Quality Assurance and Education at Salus Homecare, to present at the convention.

About O’Connor Mortuary
O’Connor Mortuary is the oldest family owned and operated mortuary in California. With offices in Laguna Hills, San Juan Capistrano and Irvine, Calif., it is the leading “stand alone” mortuary in Orange County. Founded in 1898 by Patrick J. O’Connor, and succeeded by his son Joseph and grandson Joseph Jr., the company today is managed by fourth generation CEO, Neil P. O’Connor and his two brother-in-laws, Joseph Fitzgerald, CFO and Charles Ricciardi, COO; as well as Jeff Turner, CAO. O’Connor Mortuary is recognized throughout Southern California for its longstanding tradition of caring, personalized service, honesty and integrity. The multi-generational company is active in numerous local charitable organizations and was honored by the California Historical Society for more than 100 years of continuous care and service to Southern California families. In addition, the company was honored in 2005 by the Family Owned Business Council for longevity and has received the Leatherby Award for Ethics in America.

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