SPECIAL RECOGNITION — Chambers and James Funeral, Pet and Cremation Services have again received the National Funeral Directors Association’s Pursuit of Excellence Award. The staff of the funeral homes includes, from left, seated, Janet Leary and owner Eric Fithyan; and back: Teresa Fithyan, Steve Metz, Ernie Fithyan, Rick Soly and Ellen Daugherty. -- Contributed

For the ninth consecutive year, Chambers and James Funeral, Pet and Cremation Services has been recognized by an international professional organization for its high standards for service and community involvement.

Based in Wellsburg and Follansbee, the funeral homes have earned the 2022 National Funeral Directors Association’s Pursuit of Excellence Award.

The organization is comprised of about 20,000 members representing nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 other countries.

Eric Fithyan, owner of Chambers and James, said to be considered for the award, funeral homes must submit an extensive application form that includes a report on a recent community project.

Fithyan said this year’s application noted James Funeral Home was among several hosts for the Art Hop held by the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau last fall.

The event serves to showcase the works of many local artists, and three displayed their art within the funeral home, while services weren’t being held.

Fithyan said it was pleasant to have visitors to the funeral home for a different occasion and it was nice that it came at a time when the funeral home had recently been re-painted and re-carpeted.

It’s among a variety of community projects Fithyan and his staff have undertaken through the years. Others have included placing seasonal banners with messages ranging from “Our Community is Heating Up” for summer to “Thank You for Your Service” for Veterans Day in Wellsburg’s downtown business district.

Fithyan and his staff hang the banners each season.

He and his staff also have organized a U.S. flag retirement service with the help of veterans groups and collecting sweaters and other items for veterans in nursing homes.

Also noted in the application is Fithyan’s involvement in various local groups, including the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, of which he is president; and Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce, for which he organizes its Christmas parade.

Officials with the NFDA said recipients of the award also have demonstrated a proficiency in key areas fo funeral service, including compliance with state and federal regulations; staff education and professional development, outstanding programs and resources for bereaved families and promotion of funeral home services through a variety of marketing and public relations strategies.

Funeral directors applying for the award also must sign a pledge of ethical practices.

Fithyan said membership in the NFDA has been very beneficial.

“It’s an organization that allows funeral homes to share ideas and learn how they may improve their service and community involvement,” he said.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)