Starmark Local Celebrates One-Year Anniversary in Statesville, North Carolina

STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – Vandor Corporation is proud to announce the first anniversary of its Starmark Local distribution center in Statesville, North Carolina. Vandor is celebrating a successful year marked by building trust and reputation with customers, establishing operational excellence, and sustaining growth for the future. 

The North Carolina-based Starmark Local Distribution Center opened in May 2024 and tackled some challenges in its first year, including navigating Hurricane Helene. The Starmark team started with Haley Cowles, the Service Center Director, but today consists of three team members who serve funeral homes and crematories in a large territory in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

Haley Cowles had nothing but positive words for her first year of experience in funeral service: “Opening Starmark Local in North Carolina has been such an exciting adventure for us. Joining a new company and having Starmark trust me to build this local business from the ground up has been an honor. Being new to the funeral industry, I was very nervous, but with the great leadership and training from Starmark, they helped us succeed in our first year!” 

Looking ahead, Starmark Local remains committed to delivering exceptional value and white-glove service, guided by its core values: staying customer-focused, detail-oriented, appreciative of its team, and unwavering in integrity and professionalism.

“We are looking forward to growing our relationship and partnering with many more funeral homes over the next several years.” Haley shares, “The key is building the relationships and earning customers’ respect and trust.” 

About Starmark Cremation and Starmark Local: 

Since 2004, the Starmark brand has designed, marketed, and manufactured Sensible Solutions® for its customers. Starmark prides itself on providing innovative, affordable, and high-quality products so that our customers can focus on the things that matter most: allowing families to lay their loved ones to rest in an affordable yet dignified and respectful manner. Our ability to craft and deliver is part of the formula that helps us serve funeral professionals.

Starmark Local, a division of Starmark, is dedicated to offering personalized white-glove delivery service for the Starmark Funeral Products line. 

For more information visit: www.starmarkcp.com 

Strange things happen when someone’s anniversary is approaching. When someone you miss so much passes away, can you celebrate their life? How should you grieve and heal during this time? What is the best way to cope when you lose someone you love? When you lose someone you love, how should you cope? How should you handle it? Ignore it or let it go? Don’t forget the people who’ve lost their spouses, children, and friends. When a loved one dies on their anniversary, how can you comfort them? Are there any actions or words you should take? The following suggestions can help you create a lasting tribute to Henrietta, NY funeral homes.

Take the Day Off

Today, we face a number of challenges. Perhaps your last anniversary was just yesterday. The day after the event may still be raw for you, despite your grief has subsided. Get lost in your grief, write, reflect, pray, walk, or relax. I would appreciate it if you could leave early today. Scheduling major activities and skipping some daily chores is a good idea. Have a relaxing time.

Write Down Your Feelings

Write a journal entry about your day today. It is possible that a poem was inspired by a close friend or family member. Is there anything you’d like to tell your loved one right now when they are here? Writing can be therapeutic in many ways, and this cannot be stressed enough. In a grief journal, you can keep a notebook, write a letter, or keep a notepad on your computer. Digital files and notebooks should be updated annually. Your writing will change as you review previous entries.

Print Some Photos

Cameras have become an integral part of our daily lives in the digital age. It is possible to print pictures from mobile devices and social media platforms. Facebook and Instagram both allow you to print from their websites. Photo printing from your phone is possible with many printers. Unless you bring a zip drive, you will need to email the files or upload them to the printer.

Visit Their Final Resting Place

The next day after someone dies, it is customary to visit their gravesite
to pay homage to them. The deceased may be buried in a cemetery, mausoleum, scattered, or kept cremated at home, depending on the circumstances. The cremated remains can also be placed in a special place in your home to add meaning to it. Urns used for cremations can be brought along. Flowers would be appreciated by the cemetery, so keep them in mind. A pop-up travel chair is a good idea if you are planning to spend a lot of time sitting.

The anniversary of your deceased loved one’s
death may still be observed even after Henrietta, NY funeral homes are completed. It is possible to accomplish that by following the tips above. You can reach us if you need assistance planning a funeral service
or if you have questions. We are happy to work out all the details of your service so you can find closure.

December 23, 2024

Grief is a journey that no one wants to traverse, yet it is a path many will find themselves on when a loved one passes away. As we contemplate the profound impact of loss, it’s vital to recognize how we can reach out and support our friends during their times of sorrow. Understanding our role can foster connection and compassion, especially in a world filled with emotional challenges. When we think about navigating this sensitive subject, finding the right balance between offering support and respecting personal space is essential, particularly as families often seek services from adjacent resources, such as Rochester, NY funeral homes. Understanding Grief and Its Phases Before we can effectively support our grieving friends, we should take time to understand the grieving process itself. Grief is not linear and encompasses various emotions and phases: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The upheaval following a loss can bring about tumultuous feelings, and it’s important to remember that your friend may oscillate between these stages throughout their journey. A critical way that we can help is by being present. Sometimes, your friend may need a listening ear more than they need advice. Allowing them the space to express their thoughts and feelings without judgment can be incredibly beneficial. It may be helpful to encourage them to share funny or touching memories they have of their loved one, a practice that can provide moments of solace amidst the turmoil. Offering Practical Support Helping a friend through grief also means offering practical assistance. Grieving can be an exhausting and overwhelming experience, leaving little energy for everyday tasks. Offer to help with simple chores—cooking meals, running errands, or helping keep things organized at home. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there, offering to shoulder some of life’s burdens, can alleviate the stress your friend is feeling. In addition to offering tangible help, suggesting options from local services can also ease the burden. For instance, if your friend needs support in navigating funeral logistics, it’s wise to mention reputable funeral homes, that they could consider, like Rochester Cremation. Knowing that compassionate professionals are available can bring reassurance and peace to their difficult journey. Creating a Comfortable Environment for Healing When it comes to helping a grieving friend, creating an environment that allows for open conversation is critical. While checking in on them is appreciated, remember to approach them sensitively. Each day might feel different for your friend, so the time you spend together should evolve based on their needs and feelings. Inviting your friend out for a walk—some fresh air can aid in emotional healing—might help distract them from their grief, although it’s essential not to force social interaction if they seem disinterested. The simplest gestures, like a text message to let them know you’re thinking of them, can go a long way, even if they don’t respond immediately. Respecting Boundaries and Understanding Signs of Need While offering support, it’s just as vital to acknowledge when to step back. Everyone’s process is unique, and not everyone is comfortable discussing their grief openly. Pay attention to their cues; if they seem withdrawn or if they indicate a desire for solitude, honor that choice. Encourage professional support if needed. Whether it’s suggesting a grief counselor or attending a support group together, prioritizing their mental health by finding professional help can be a game changer. Informing them about available local resources shows that you care and are looking out for their well-being. The road following a loss is fraught with challenges. Yet, knowing we can play a role in transforming a friend’s grief reality can inspire hope. In conclusion, as we support our friends during these heartbreaking times, let’s embrace compassion and understanding, remembering our larger community as we navigate the journey together. If you have questions regarding resources or services through Rochester, NY funeral homes, reach out for help. The existence of compassionate professionals at places like Rochester Cremation highlights that support is always within reach.

PlotBox Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

17th Dec 2024: Leading deathtech platform PlotBox celebrated its 10-year anniversary last week at a glittering event held in Portglenone near their hometown of Glenone, Co. Derry, N. Ireland. Joining PlotBox staff were long-standing friends, family, colleagues, and partners who have contributed to the company’s success.

Messages of congratulations were also received from PlotBox’s global customers, spanning the United States, the UK, and the APAC region.

Speaking at the event, PlotBox CEO and co-founder Sean McAllister said,
“Leona and I are so proud to share this evening with the people who’ve helped to make PlotBox the success it is today. Tonight is about celebrating what we’ve achieved over the past decade. Together, in no small way, we’ve helped to transform how deathcare services are delivered around the world.

This year, we’ve achieved record sales; we’ve onboarded a record number of Enterprise customers; we’ve successfully partnered with one of the largest organizations in the deathcare profession; we’ve been recognized as an IT Supplier of the Year; and we continue to attract the best talent from around the world.

All of these things help us to proactively plan for the future, moving forward together to continue to help cemeteries, crematories, and funeral homes to excel. And we couldn’t do it without all of you. Here’s to the next ten years.”

PlotBox was founded in 2014 by Sean and Leona McAllister, having carried out a mapping project for their local parish of Greenlough, Co. Derry. Using new drone technologies and surveying techniques, they realized there was an opportunity to solve the mapping problems for cemeteries in Ireland and the UK.

The ambitious startup soon looked towards the US, disrupting the deathcare market with the world’s first cemetery management software solution to integrate digital mapping with a back office software system. The business grew exponentially over the next ten years, a journey including a string of awards, accolades, and partnerships that have seen PlotBox become the world’s leading supplier of deathtech services.

Experts on the ground across each of their markets are supported by a 120-strong multidisciplinary team, providing customers with the same level of exceptional support both globally and locally. A recent investment of £5 million ($6,346,000) by Guinness and Par Equity has further helped to support PlotBox’s strategy for growth, increasing its footprint across North America and the APAC region, while looking at new opportunities across Europe and South America.

PlotBox CCO and co-founder Leona McAllister said, “Our mission remains the same today as it did from day one – to help take away some of the pain in dealing with death for families and those that serve them. It hasn’t always been easy – growing such a large, dedicated team takes resolve, and not a little sacrifice, but it’s been a privilege to be able to develop solutions that make a real, positive impact on people’s lives.

Thank you to those who have supported us from the beginning, including our friends, families, partners, and amazing team.”

PlotBox is the innovative cloud-based deathcare management solution that helps cemeteries, crematories, and funeral homes to excel.

The PlotBox platform empowers Deathcare Operators to provide compassionate, seamless services that ease the pain of loss and enhance the experience for Families. This enables customers to serve better, save time, increase revenue, reduce risk – and sustain long-term growth.

The 120-strong company is headquartered in Northern Ireland, with on-the-ground teams in the United States and Australia. This means the growing multidisciplinary team can consistently deliver exceptional levels of service, both globally and locally.

PlotBox is more than a vendor. They are a dedicated partner focused on each customer’s success – and the families they serve.