Tuesday, May 14, 2019
COASSON at ICCFA 2019.COASSON® is a combination of the words “coach” and “caisson.” It’s a funeral vehicle which can easily be towed by most fleet vehicles and is less than a third of the cost of a hearse. In this video recorded at the 2019 ICCFA convention and expo, COASSON CEO Ron Stoll and Board Member Vernie Fountain talk about the benefits of the vehicle and the importance of honoring the death of a loved one.
Ron Stoll created the COASSON (pronounced Co-sohn). It has a 20-year life span and weighs 1,800 pounds. Like a caisson, it’s designed to be pulled by a separate vehicle, as the caissons of old were pulled by horses.
“It doesn’t have to be pulled by a big vehicle,” Stoll explained. “We’ve had it pulled by a Tesla in Connecticut, we had it behind a three-wheeled motorcycle in Pennsylvania, and because it’s only 1,800 pounds, it’s very, very easy to manage.”
Vernie Fountain’s signature is on the COASSON. “I believe in the concept, the reality, and the mission of the company,” said Fountain. “It has to do with comfort and confidence.”
Stoll also created an UrnArk® as part of the COASSON. The design is patented with unique features such as interior lighting, a discreet way of securing the urn during transport, and the ability to put icons in the corners (military, first responder, and religious symbols).
The UrnArk® is also designed to hold two iPads in the corners, to provide multimedia tributes as part of the service. They can put portraits, picture slide shows, music, film and other elements.
Comfort and Confidence
Vernie Fountain, founder of the Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills in Springfield, Missouri, supports COASSON’s mission. Fountain said, “I’m very much a believer in the body being present, in the viewing of the decedent to help with the beginning of the mourning and grief process.”
Between death and final disposition, there is a period of time that allows family and friends to honor the deceased and say goodbye.
“The important thing that COASSON and I stand for is taking time to be with our deceased loved ones before final disposition,” said Fountain. “People are pushing for a one-hour visitation, and we’re losing the effect of getting our mind set that death has actually occurred.”
To learn more about COASSON and the urn ark, visit www.COASSON.com.
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Gail Rubin, CT, is author and host of the award-winning book and television series, A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die, Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips, and KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die.
Rubin is a Certified Thanatologist (that's a death educator) and a popular speaker who uses humor and films to get the end-of-life and funeral planning conversation started. She "knocked 'em dead" with her TEDx talk, A Good Goodbye. She provides continuing education credit classes for attorneys, doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice workers, financial planners, funeral directors and other professionals. She's a Certified Funeral Celebrant and funeral planning consultant who has been interviewed in national and local print, broadcast and online media.
Known as The Doyenne of Death®, she is the event coordinator of the Before I Die NM Festival. She also hosts A Good Goodbye Internet radio show and produces Mortality Minute radio and online video spots. Her YouTube Channel features more than 450 videos!
Rubin is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association New Mexico Chapter. Her speaking profile is available at eSpeakers.com.
Gail Rubin has been interviewed about funeral planning issues in national and local broadcast, print and online media. Outlets include The Huffington Post, Money Magazine, Kiplinger, CBS Radio News, WGN-TV, and local affiliates for NPR, PBS, FOX, ABC-TV, CBS-TV and NBC-TV. Albuquerque Business First named her as one of their 2019 Women of Influence.
Sign up for a free planning form and occasional informative newsletter at her website, AGoodGoodbye.com.