2011-06-03 - April 18, 2011 Austin, Texas - The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) presented the 2011 awards for Exemplary Service to three North American independent Funeral homes at the OGR 2011 Annual Conference & Supplier Showcase at Loews Atlanta Hotel. FALCONER FUNERAL HOME, INC., Gilbert, Arizona, received the first place GOLD EXEMPLARY SERVICE AWARD. Receiving the award was funeral director Christian Timothy, his wife Ellen, and son Chad. In part the award was based on the following comments: "Mr. Timothy was truly compassionate to what we were going through...it was not an act but a reflection of who he is as a person of good character. Mr. Timothy and his staff did for us was what he does for every funeral. It may be ordinary for them...but it was out of the ordinary for me, and above every expectation I had." Exemplary Service awards recognize professional excellence achieved by a funeral home as demonstrated through comments from client families responding to Family Contact Program surveys. OGR, the world's leading independent funeral service association, is affiliated with some 800 independent funeral homes that share common goals: exemplary service, uncompromised care and compassion to families in their time of need. www.ogr.org