Dallas and Fort Worth Dignity Memorial(R) Providers First in Industry to Partner With J.D. Power and Associates

Dallas and Fort Worth Dignity Memorial(R) Providers First in
Industry to Partner With J.D. Power and Associates
Customer Satisfaction Metrics Applied to Funeral Homes and Cemeteries in New
Survey 


DALLAS and FORT WORTH, Texas, April 14  /PRNewswire/ -- The Dignity Memorial
funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers of Dallas and Fort Worth have
partnered with global marketing research giant J.D. Power and Associates to
understand what makes the Baby Boom generation tick. This notoriously demanding
and unconventional generation is now making final arrangements for their
parents -- as well as planning in advance for their own celebration of life --
and the Dignity Memorial provider network believes extensive customer
satisfaction metrics are essential to helping them meet this group's needs. At
the same time, the data will provide additional insight into the diverse
cultures and generations who utilize the services of Dignity Memorial
providers.

"We have found that a professional survey is one of the best ways to measure
the performance of firms that provide services, even though we often think of
automakers and similar businesses when we think of consumer surveys," said Wes
Killian, Market Manager. "By partnering with J.D. Power and Associates, we are
emulating other progressive, consumer-oriented service companies who believe
this well-known research firm is one of the best ways to gain extensive data
regarding customer preferences. The survey will strongly enhance our knowledge
of how to best serve those who come to us in need, and also benefit consumers
and our industry as a whole," added Killian.

The J.D. Power and Associates survey represents the second generation of the
Dignity Memorial network's quest for customer metrics. The network launched its
first customer survey in 2000, which made it one of the first in a
slow-to-change industry to use professional survey methods. The move to a
partnership with J.D. Power and Associates is in keeping with the network's
interest in obtaining extensive customer metrics to help them meet the needs of
today's families. This focus has been driven by the Boomer generation, which
has shown less interest in polished caskets and engraved markers, and more
concern in celebrating the lives of loved ones with unique end-of-life events.

"The Dignity Memorial network has stated that they intend to re-invent this
category.  Our work with the Dignity Memorial group (a first for this
industry), should allow them to understand their performance across the
families they serve, and provide a road-map to improved customer satisfaction
and stronger customer loyalty," said George Owens, Director at J.D. Power and
Associates.

"We want to take care of our customers, like any good company. To do so we will
refine what constitutes the best possible customer experience and develop
appropriate processes to meet this goal, something that has long been an
objective of the Dignity Memorial network and is a primary reason for our
continued success," said Killian.

J.D. Power and Associates has a 36-year history of helping companies improve
the quality of consumer goods and services. The research firm conducts more
than 350 major tracking studies each year for some of the world's largest
companies, including numerous Fortune 500 firms. A staff of more than 600
associates conducts quality and customer satisfaction research across a variety
of industries including automotive, commercial vehicles, telecommunications,
travel, real estate, finance, marine, healthcare, utilities, sports, retailing,
office products, and professional services. J.D. Power and Associates is a
business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP).

The Dignity Memorial providers of Dallas and Fort Worth include the following
firms:

Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home and Cemetery, Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Home
and Cemetery, Grove Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, Calvary Hill Funeral Home
and Cemetery, Moore Funeral Home and Cemetery, Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Home,
Rhoton Funeral Home, Sparkman Crane Funeral Home, Ted Dickey Funeral Home,
Sparkman Dickey Funeral Home, Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home and Bean Massey
Burge Funeral Home.

   FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
   JAMIE JEWELL
   DIGNITY MEMORIAL FUNERAL PROVIDERS
   214.566.3014


DATASOURCE: Dignity Memorial Network



CONTACT:  Jamie Jewell Of Dignity Memorial Funeral Providers,

[phone]



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