Funeral homes
honored with excellence award
Duncan Graves and Lancaster Morgan Funeral Homes have been honored by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) with the 2012 Pursuit of Excellence Award. Only 164 firms from around the world received this prestigious recognition, placing then among an elite group of funeral service providers.
RECOGNIZED — National Funeral Directors Association President Randall L. Earl, left, presents the 2012 Pursuit of Excellence award to Debby and John Johnston, representing Duncan Graves and Lancaster Morgan Funeral Homes at the Charlotte, N.C. convention. 
Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients raise the bar on funeral service excellence by adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards and providing unsurpassed service to families and communities.
To earn an NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, a participating funeral home must meet or exceed business standards set forth by the program and demonstrate proficiency in key areas of funeral service, such as compliance with state and federal regulations; providing ongoing education and professional development opportunities for staff; offering outstanding programs and resources to bereaved families; maintaining an active level of involvement within the community; participating and actively serving in the funeral service profession; and promoting funeral home services through a variety of marketing, advertising and public relations programs. Participants are also required to adhere to a Pledge of Ethical Practices.
“Duncan Graves and Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home’s voluntary participation in the Pursuit of Excellence Award program reflects a clear determination to exceed the expectations of those they serve,” said NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, CAE. “This prestigious recognition assures families of the high-quality, compassionate service they will receive the moment they walk through the funeral home’s front door.”
Representing Duncan Graves and Lancaster Morgan Funeral Homes at the NFDA Convention in Charlotte, N.C. in October to receive the award, was General Manager and Funeral Director, John Johnston, and his wife, Debby.
“It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the top 2 percent funeral homes in the country”, said Johnston. “The merger of Duncan Graves Funeral Homes in Presque Isle and Mars Hill with Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home of Caribou has allowed us to present more options to our local families. We look forward to extending our tradition of excellence for years to come.” Johnston has been a funeral director for more than 35 years, almost 30 of which have been at Duncan Graves Funeral Homes. As general manager, Johnston, oversees the activities of all three branch locations.
Duncan Graves Funeral Homes and Lancaster Morgan Funeral Homes are owned by Douglas Hunter, CFSP with locations in Mars Hill, Presque Isle and Caribou. They were Maine’s only funeral homes to be recognized this year, and the third time Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home has been honored by the NFDA for the Pursuit of Excellence Award. For more information about their services please visit /www.lancastermorgan.com or www.duncan-graves.com.
