Rockdale Citizen

Brad Bailey of Caldwell & Cowan, left, is congratulated by Patrick E. Lynch of the National Funeral Director's Association upon the Covington-based funeral home's receipt of the Pursuit of Excellence Award by the NFDA.

The Covington-based Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home recently earned a series of accolades from professional organizations.

In May, the funeral home was accepted for membership in the International Order of the Golden Rule, a professional association of more than 700 leading independently owned and operated funeral homes.

Acceptance requires that members adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards, ensuring that Golden Rule members provide dignified, caring service at fair and reasonable prices. In order to retain its membership, Caldwell & Cowan must consistently demonstrate its dedication to providing quality funeral service to its clients families.

"Before qualification into the association, Caldwell & Cowan was subjected to a highly selective process. We are pleased that Caldwell & Cowan has met the stringent requirements and has earned many recommendations from the Covington area," said Mark Allen, OGR executive director, in a press release.

"We take great pride in the caring service we provide our bereaved families," said Judson Caldwell, owner of Caldwell & Cowan, in the release. "Membership in OGR will provide us with more resources to better serve our families."

Caldwell & Cowan also recently earned the Pursuit of Excellence Award by the National Funeral Directors Association at the NFDA Annual Convention in Chicago. The funeral home has earned the award six consecutive years and was awarded distinguished Best of the Best in 2007.

Pursuit of Excellence is the premiere recognition program for funeral service. NFDA's Pursuit of Excellence Program recognizes funeral homes that are committed to providing outstanding service to the families and communities they serve, and are dedicated to achieving the highest professional standard.

To receive the Pursuit of Excellence Award, funeral homes must fulfill no fewer than four of the required criteria set forth in six categories of achievement, which are: basic requirements, leadership and staff professional development; family outreach, support and services; community service and education; professional service and participation; and marketing, advertising and public relations.

In addition to the two company-wide honors, Caldwell & Cowan employee Bradford Joe Bailey was recognized for earning the designation of certified funeral service practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice at the NFDA Convention.

The goals of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice include recognizing those practitioners who have voluntarily entered into a program of personal and professional growth; raising and improving standards of funeral service; and encouraging practitioners to make continuing education a lifelong process.

To receive the award, the practitioner must complete a 180-hour program of continuing education activities and events. In addition, the practitioner is required to accumulate 20 hours per to recertify. Credits are for academic activities, professional activities, career review and community and civic activities.