MFDA Bulletin - Summer 2023

Providing Care Beyond the Service

How Minnesota funeral homes provide ongoing support to grieving families

2023 MFDA Convention in Review

< Joe Mahn Becomes New MFDA President

Minnesota Funeral Directors Association In This Issue

MFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Treasurer Joe Mahn Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Red Wing, MN jmahn62@hotmail.com

Treasurer Sara Thompson Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services Sauk Centre, MN sthompson@pattonschad.com

DISTRICT DIRECTORS

Tyler Hoff (District 1) Worlein Funeral Home Austin, MN tyler@worlein.com

Kevin Satre (District 2) Mankato Mortuary Mankato, MN kevin@mankatomortuary.com

Jeff Hartquist (District 3) Hartquist Funeral Home Luverne, MN hartquistluverne@gmail.com

Kyle TeBeest (District 4/5) Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Homes Montevideo, MN kyle@andersontebeest.com

Open (District 6/7)

Open (District 8)

Jade Petznick (District 9) Larson Funeral Home Pelican Rapids, MN jade@larsonfuneralpelicanrapids.com

Allison Cease (District 10) Cease Funeral Home Bagley, MN ceaseallison@gmail.com

David Huso (District 11) Rowe Funeral Home Grand Rapids, MN husodavid@yahoo.com

Secretary Jordan McReavy Seitz Washburn-McReavy Funeral Homes Minnespolis, MN jordan@wmchapels.com

Past President Brian Dingmann Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services, Annandale, MN brian@dingmannfuneral.com

PAST PRESIDENT REP

Dan Dahl

Dahl Funeral Home, East Grand Forks, MN dan.dahl@midconetwork.com

MFDA STAFF

Miki Tufto Executive Director 763-416-0124 (office) 651-235-3700 (cell) mtufto@mnfuneral.org

Amy Beckham Administrative amy@mnfuneral.org

Maria Olaez Accounting maria@mnfuneral.org

Kathy Sheridan Membership/Convention kathy@mnfuneral.org

Todd Pernsteiner MFDA Bulletin Design todd@pernsteiner.com

Upcoming Events

NFDA Annual Convention

September 10-13, Las Vegas

Fall CEU Conferences

(formerly MFDA District Meetings)

September 19-28, Various locations (see page 5)

MFDA Preneed Insurance Course

October 3-4, Crowne Plaza Mpls West, Plymouth

MFDA Leadership Academy Class (2023-2024)

October 2023-May 2024, Monthly locations vary

Healing Hearts Connection Fall Grief Camp

November 4-5, Hudson, WI

Watch for MFDA communications and check mnfuneral.org for

Who We Are: Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association (MFDA) is the statewide resource dedicated to supporting our member’s growth professionally, ethically, and operationally.

Our Mission: Our mission is to enhance and support funeral service excellence through our programs, legislative representation and service to Minnesotans.

How We Accomplish This:

• Essential and enduring principles that guide our organization’s behaviors and actions

Advancing the value of funeral service consistent with the changing needs of society

• Advocacy on behalf of consumers and members

7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311

p: (763) 416-0124 • f: (763) 335-9844

e: info@mnfuneral.org www.mnfuneral.org

Visionary leadership trust and confidence in staff and volunteer leadership

• Promotion of integrity; honest and ethical behavior within the funeral industry

• Collaboration with others in the interest of consumers and members

Recognize the importance of education as a vehicle to enhance both public service and public image

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

By Joe Mahn, MFDA Board President

Thank you for entrusting me to be MFDA’s president.

This issue’s President’s Message is a reprint of Joe Mahn’s speech at the 2023 MFDA Convention.

left behind and so will your funeral home. Besides convention there are other opportunities for professional development with education including the Certified Crematory Operators Certification, Insurance Continuing Education focusing toward preneed, Celebrant Training and a Leadership Program.

Good afternoon. My name is Joe Mahn from the Mahn Family Funeral Homes located in southeast MN. I am grateful and honored to be this year’s President of MFDA. Funeral service is a large part of who I am. Growing up with a dad and an uncle that were funeral directors, funeral service was a constant topic of conversation. Now that I am grown and have married a fellow mortician it continues to be a large portion of our lives just like it is for most of you.

The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association was something that I have been familiar with for a long time. In my youth, as a funeral director’s kid, I saw my parents go to convention. During my time at college while attending UMD I was able to attend convention when it was in Duluth (and as a broke college kid much appreciated the open bar and the nice meals vendors treated us to, as I tagged along with my family). In 2005 I even had the honor of having my U of M Mortuary Science graduation ceremony be a part

of the convention at The Depot in Minneapolis. Throughout all this and even into the first 10 to 12 years of my career, I don’t think I fully appreciated or understood what MFDA did for its members. It wasn’t until joining the board representing District 1, that my eyes were opened and I started to understand all that the association does.

MFDA’s mission is simple but powerful, TO ENHANCE AND SUPPORT DEATH CARE EXCELLENCE!

What does this mean??? It means you are not in this alone. It means that MFDA is going to help and support you to be the best funeral director possible.

The MFDA can do this through education. Convention is a perfect example of this: A time to get together with your peers to bounce ideas off of each other; a time listen to powerful presentations that can inspire and educate you. Funeral service is changing every day and if you are NOT learning how to change with it, you will be

MFDA further helps to Support and Enhance Death Care Excellence, by helping create a positive public impact for funeral service through public awareness for MFDA firms and continuing relations with great organizations such as Healing Hearts Connection. MFDA also provides industry specific guidance through its general counsel. This assists members to stay compliant and understand your own rights when dealing with regulatory organizations.

Finally, one of the best ways that I believe MFDA helps Support and Enhance Death Care Excellence is through its ability to ADVOCATE for the members. Our Lobbyist, Joe Sellwood; the legislative committee, and our General Counsel, Michael Sharkey are key components for this. As we just heard from Brian’s Legislative Update things are constantly changing in the world of politics which greatly affects our everyday lives, and we have a great group to help lead us.

These few things that I have mentioned are just the beginning of how MFDA can help support and enhance death care excellence. Like many other things in life-- you get so much more out of it, if you contribute. I would highly encourage you all to get engaged, whether it’s picking up the phone and visiting with your

Photos: Archer Film Co.

district board member, going to your district/regional meetings this fall and enjoying the comradery of your fellow morticians, or even joining a committee to even more input on things to support the association.

If we have learned anything from the past couple of years is that we are in this together, we are stronger together than we are alone! As an association of over 100 member firms, along with the numerous roof tops that go with them, and over 600 funeral director/ morticians – We need to leverage that strength in numbers to keep Minnesota Funeral Service at the highest level.

Thank you for entrusting me to be MFDA’s president. I am excited to continue the mission to Enhance and Support Death Care Excellence! n

Joe Mahn MFDA President 2023-2024

MFDA District Meetings are now MFDA Fall CEU Conferences

Save the date to attend our full day of CEUs at our MFDA Fall CEU Conference, free of charge for all MFDA member staff (fee for lunch)! More details will be available on www. mnfuneral.org soon including registration. Watch your email, MFDA Online Community, and MFDA social media for an announcement.

Fall CEU Conference Dates & Locations

Tuesday, September 19

MFDA District 9 & 10 Meeting – Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen

Wednesday, September 20

MFDA District 11 Meeting – Grand Rapids

Thursday, September 21

MFDA District 8 Meeting – St. Cloud area

Tuesday, September 26

MFDA District 3 & 4/5 Meeting – Redwood Falls area

Wednesday, September 27

MFDA District 1 & 2 Meeting – Owatonna

Thursday, September 28

MFDA District 6/7 Meeting – Minneapolis

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 MFDA President Joe Mahn of Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Red Wing.

If we have learned anything from the past couple of years is that we are in this together, we are stronger together than we are alone!

Thank you to our 2022-2023 Past President Brian Dingmann (left) of Dingmann Funeral Care in Annandale for his leadership during the past year. On behalf of our association, we appreciate your gift of time to serve the funeral industry!

Joe Mahn (left) with wife Amanda.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

By Miki Tufto, MFDA Executive Director

MFDA’s Focus on Leadership Benefits All of Us

The past six months as your MFDA executive director have been full of leadership and learning. I’ve had the opportunity to visit with funeral directors during our annual convention in May and during my travels around the state visiting potential MFDA members. I enjoy these opportunities to hear about what your day-to-day work life is like, and I believe it gives me the perspective to serve our members on a daily basis. To hear what concerns and challenges you are working with helps me fine tune what areas to focus on.

I’ve also been able to participate in a couple of National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) events for the first time – the NFDA Advocacy Summit in April and the NFDA Leadership Conference in June. The Advocacy Summit provided the opportunity to meet with our Minnesota elected representatives in Washington, DC and engage them in discussions about how their decisions have a direct impact on your ability to serve families and be successful. Any NFDA member can join your MFDA leadership who attend the Summit to visit with our members of Congress. Next year’s dates are March 19-21, 2024.

At the end of June, I attended the NFDA Leadership Conference in Phoenix with our MFDA executive committee: President Joe Mahn, Treasurer Sara Thompson, Secretary Jordan Seitz, and Past President Brian Dingmann. During this

conference there are opportunities to network with your leadership counterparts from other state associations. This sharing of knowledge is beyond beneficial, and also where new ideas are developed to serve association members. During the Leadership Conference I had an opportunity to attend my first Counsel of Funeral Association Executive (CFAE) meeting. This group is made up of executive directors from other states around the country and provides an open discussion on shared ideas and resources. Many execs had questions about our MFDA Leadership Academy to learn about how they can implement it in their state. They see the Leadership Academy as a tremendous benefit for association members. We currently have three MFDA Leadership Academy graduates on our MFDA Board of Directors.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Leadership Academy Returns

I am excited to announce that after a break during COVID, MFDA will be starting our fourth Leadership Academy for 2023-2024 with our facilitators Bruce Matza and Chad Weinstein! We will be launching our online registration for a class of up to 15 students at the beginning of

August. Six classes will take place inperson once a month for a full day on a Wednesday beginning in October 2023 and concluding with Leadership Graduation at our convention in May 2024. ¬ The MFDA Leadership Academy experience enables both experienced and emerging leaders to excel – now and into the future. Participants will learn leadership concepts and proven techniques, as well as gain important insights into MFDA.

“It has taught me so much about myself and the people that work around me. It has opened my mind up to many solutions for brainstorming as a business and solving problems. I would recommend this program to any funeral director old or young.”

- Kyle Tebeest, MFDA Board District 4/5 Director and 2017-2018 MFDA Leadership Academy Graduate

Watch your email, mail, MFDA Online Community, and MFDA social media for our Leadership Academy online registration launch in early August. I look forward to more visits with potential MFDA members over the next few months, as well as seeing our members at our Fall CEU Conferences (formerly District Meetings) in September!

Wishing you a wonderful summer!

- Miki

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

By Joe Sellwood, Cook Strong Sellwood

MFDA Well Positioned for Positive Action in 2024

The 2023 legislative session had significant action since day one on a variety of major issues as the DFL trifecta worked quickly to follow through on their priorities and campaign promises. While MFDA’s top issues were not addressed in 2023, the association is well positioned for positive action in the 2024 session.

Scope Legislation Not Addressed in 2023

With the focus of the legislative session on crafting the state’s budget and passing priorities of the DFL majority, policymakers did not address scope of practice legislation. In general, scope of practice legislation increases regulations or expands the scope of practice of a regulated profession. Minnesota has many regulated professions practicing under a license, from morticians to physicians to interpreters and body art technicians – and many licensed occupations seek changes at the legislature, morticians included.

Among MFDA’s priority legislation: Transfer Care Specialists, Internship changes, and Reciprocal License changes all fall within the scope of practice category. The House Health committee and the Senate Health and Human Services committee stated, “given the press of business in the 2023 legislative session, it is unlikely that health licensing and scope of practice bills will be taken up this year.”

Understanding the situation and with an eye on the 2024 session, MFDA worked to get the updated bills introduced and educate policymakers on the legislation. Working to vet and evaluate the language with the Department of Health, MFDA gained insight from the regulatory perspective. With robust support from the profession, MFDA will be in a strong

position to advocate for successful passage of these policies in 2024.

Looking Toward the 2024 Legislative Session

Senator Melissa Wiklund (DFL –Bloomington), the Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services committee, and Representative Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), the Chair of the House Health committee have committed to hearing “scope of practice” legislation in the 2024 session.

Despite getting the Transfer Care Specialist legislation just shy of the finish line in 2022 as part of the HHS Omnibus bill (the 2022 HHS bill was not agreed to between the DFL House and Republican Senate), the 2023 session was focused on DFL priorities and crafting the FY 2024 – 2025 budget. With the commitment from the chairs for 2024, MFDA will work throughout the summer and fall to position the legislation for successful action by gaining support of the HHS / Health committee members and other key legislators.

Mortuary Science Legislation

Transfer Care Specialist

[MFDA Priority]

SF2611 Utke / HF2509 Huot NOT PASSED

Carefully crafted over the last couple of years, with input from members and non-members, MFDA made minor changes from the 2022 version of the proposal and the bill was introduced on March 2nd in the House and March 6th in the Senate. The legislation creates the Transfer Care Specialist, which authorizes non-morticians to remove a dead body from the place of death and transport to a licensed funeral establishment. To become a Transfer Care Specialist, the individual must complete training, register with the

Department, and be supervised by a licensed mortician. A licensed mortician may supervise up to six Transfer Care Specialists. The legislation did not receive a hearing in 2023, but MFDA continued to work on educating legislators and will work toward passing the bill in 2024.

Internship Changes

[MFDA Priority]

SF2610 Utke / HF1036 Huot NOT PASSED

This legislation permits on-the-job training to begin earlier by allowing students enrolled in an accredited mortuary science program to work toward, and potentially complete, the required internship as they complete their education. This legislation did not receive a hearing in 2023 but will have an opportunity to move forward in 2024 as the HHS/Health committees address scope legislation.

Reciprocal License

[MFDA Priority]

SF2612 Utke / HF1039 Huot NOT PASSED

This legislation makes modifications to the current reciprocal licensing requirements to gain qualified professionals from around the United States by permitting morticians & funeral directors with at least three years’ experience to meet the requirements and contribute to funeral service in Minnesota. This legislation is a small part of attracting and retaining funeral professionals from around the country. This bill did not move forward in 2023 but can be considered in 2024.

Cremation of Body Parts

[MFDA Priority]

SF2587 Wiklund / HF2025 Huot NOT PASSED

Addressing a rare but critical need, this legislation will permit individuals who

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Continued from page 7…

have amputations to then have the amputated body part cremated and returned to them. The Department has in certain cases allowed this to occur, but have previously stated that the statute lacks clarity. This legislation did not move forward in 2023, but can be considered in 2024.

Natural Organic Reduction

SF3134 Marty / HF2669 Huot NOT PASSED

This legislation adds natural organic reduction to the definition of final disposition. It creates a license for a natural organic reduction facility, but does not require a mortician’s license to own, operate, or work at a licensed facility or carry out the process of natural organic reduction. This legislation did not move in 2023 but can be considered in 2024. MFDA will be a major stakeholder if this legislation moves forward next session.

Green Burials Moratorium; Study of Green Burial & Natural Organic Reduction

SF2995 - Article 4, Section 102

PASSED

Effective July 1, 2023

Passed as part of the Health and Human Services Omnibus Budget bill is a provision to place a two-year moratorium (July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2025) on green burials. The provision also requires the Department of Health to conduct a study on the environmental and health impacts of green burials and natural organic reduction and report to the legislature by February 1, 2025.

Legislation of Interest - Passed

Passenger Vehicle and Hearse

Registration Tax Increase

HF2887 - Article 3, Section 5

Effective July 1, 2024

Included in the Transportation Omnibus Budget bill is a provision to increase registration taxes on passenger automobiles and hearses. The calculation of the registration

tax is currently based on 1.25% of an annually decreasing percentage of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, and the legislation increases the tax calculation to 1.575% and reduces the MSRP multiplier at a slower rate over ten years, providing the state with significant additional revenue.

Cannabis Legalization

HF100

Use and possession decriminalized, effective August 1, 2023

For adults age 21 and older, use and possession of cannabis will be legal this coming August. Employers may create policies to prohibit cannabis use in the workplace, but can no longer prohibit its use outside of work.

Excessive Price Increases

SF2744 - Article 4, Section 12

Effective May 26, 2023

Included in the Commerce Omnibus bill is a provision to prohibit an unconscionably excessive price increase during a governor-declared abnormal market disruption. An unconscionably excessive price is defined as a price that represents a “gross disparity” compared to the seller’s average price in the 60-day period before the abnormal market disruption.

Environmental Regulations

HF2310 - Article 8, Section 3

Effective May 25, 2023

Most of the environmental justice provisions were limited to the sevencounty metropolitan area. However, the cumulative impacts analysis provision also includes cities of the first class and “Indian Country” as defined in the law. The provision applies to MPCA permit holders under Minnesota Rules 7007.0200, 7007.0250 (subp. 5 & 6), and to permits required for new construction, facility expansion, or the reissuance of an existing permit.

The provision requires MPCA to determine whether permit action may substantially impact the environment

or health of the residents in the area, and whether a cumulative impacts analysis is required. If the cumulative impacts analysis is required, the permit applicant is required to provide notice and hold public meetings. Ultimately, the decision to approve, reissue, or deny a permit could carry conditions or fall under a community benefit agreement.

Mortuary Science Ad Hoc Committee

MFDA has participated in and contributed to the Department’s Mortuary Science Ad Hoc Committee. The committee began meeting again in December of 2022 and has meetings planned throughout 2023. The attendance of MFDA members and non-members provides an opportunity to provide input on important issues and have open communication with the Department of Health.

Vital Records Rulemaking

Similar to state laws, state agencies enforce administrative rules. State agencies occasionally undertake a rulemaking process when initially drafting rules or modifying and rewriting existing rules.

The Minnesota Department of Health will begin the rulemaking process later this Spring/early Summer to update Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4601, which govern the registration, amending, and issuance of birth and death records. The goals of this rulemaking process will be to eliminate outdated requirements and duplicative language, align with the Minnesota Vital Records Act, align with current business practices, integrate language that considers technological advances and system modernization, follow best practices, and create new language to address operational limitations.

The rulemaking process generally takes a year or two and MFDA will be involved from the beginning to provide input and feedback to ensure the voice of funeral directors is heard during the process. n

When will new policies impact your business?

The Minnesota legislature passed many bills this legislative session. Here is a timeline of when those bills become a reality for your business.

ALREADY IN EFFECT

• Hair texture and styles added to the definition of race

• Ban on restrictive franchise agreements (“no-poach” or “non-solicitation” agreements)

• State Building Code process/rules change to require adult-size changing facilities

• Cumulative impact reporting on state air permits

• Odor management oversight

• Air toxics reporting criteria to obtain a permit

• Additional public meetings for nonexpiring air permits

July 1, 2023

● Noncompete agreements banned

● Lactating employees, pregnancy accommodations, unpaid leave updates and small business exemptions removed

● Human Rights Act updated with new definitions of sexual orientation and gender identity

● New and increased OSHA penalties, classification of citation data; authority to inspect employer exclusion

● Ergonomics Grant program;

● New ergonomics reporting requirements

● New agriculture and food processing worker standards

● Nursing Home Standards board established to set new employment standards

● Motor vehicle sales tax increases

2023

January 1, 2024

● Sick and safe time mandated

August 1, 2023

● Restrictions on employer-sponsored meetings and communications (captive audience)

● New protections in place for warehouse distribution centers

● Stricter construction worker wage protections

● Fees increase for groundwater appropriation permits

● Recreational marijuana legal

October 1, 2023

● Sales tax increases for housing

● 1% metro area sales tax for transit and housing

2024

2025 2026

January 1, 2025

● New ergonomics standards in effect for warehouse, meatpacking, health care workers

● New safety standards for meatpacking

● New worker standards for meat and poultry processing

● Ban established on asking about pay history

● Tab fee increases

● Gas tax indexed to inflation

July 1, 2024

● New 50 cent per-delivery on retail deliveries over $100

October 1, 2024

● Minnesota OSHA fines/ penalties indexed to inflation

● Minnesota Secure Choice Plan - retirement savings program

● PFAS ban in 11 products

January 1, 2026

● New Paid Family and Medical Leave mandate

● New reporting requirements for all PFAS products

2023 MFDA Convention a Resounding Success Sessions Focused on Education and Professional Development

The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) recently concluded its highly anticipated 2023 Convention, bringing together funeral professionals from across the state. Held from May 2-4, this annual event served as a platform for industry experts to share insights, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and showcase the latest advancements in funeral services. As the curtains fall on this remarkable gathering, let’s take a moment to reflect on the key highlights and the lasting impact it will have on the funeral industry.

Education and Professional Development

The 2023 MFDA Convention placed a strong emphasis on continuing education and professional development. Attendees were treated to a diverse array of workshops, seminars, and presentations, covering a wide range of topics such as funeral ethics, embalming techniques, and funeral consumer trends. Renowned speakers shared their expertise and offered valuable insights, equipping attendees with new knowledge and skills to better serve grieving families in their communities. We were treated to the amazing Opening Keynote Speaker John O’Leary who presented our attendees with his remarkable ability to inspire and motivate individuals to embrace the

power within themselves to overcome any challenge. We are grateful to our Title Sponsor Funeral Directors Life and Keynote Co-Sponsor NFDA for bringing John to Minnesota!

Networking Opportunities

One of the primary benefits of attending the MFDA Convention was the opportunity to network with fellow funeral professionals and industry suppliers. From interactive breakout sessions to casual social events, participants had ample opportunities to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build relationships that extend beyond the convention’s duration.

experience. Funeral directors had the chance to explore and interact with the latest tools and resources that can streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and keep pace with industry advancements.

Recognition and Celebration

The MFDA Convention 2023 also served as a platform for recognizing excellence within the industry. MFDA honored this year’s 50 year licensee award recipients. Congrats and thank you for your dedication to funeral service! We also honored Minnesota funeral industry members who died during the past year during our Service of Remembrance.

Exhibition and Innovation

The convention’s exhibit hall was a treasure trove of innovative products, services, and technologies transforming the funeral industry. Companies showcased cutting-edge solutions for embalming, cremation, memorialization, and digital platforms aimed at enhancing the funeral

Our 2023 Convention was a resounding success, uniting funeral professionals from all corners of the state and highlighting the incredible work they do. Through a rich program of education, networking, and innovation, attendees were equipped with new skills, industry insights, and a renewed sense of purpose. As funeral professionals return to their communities, they carry with them the collective wisdom and shared vision of the Convention, ready to make a positive impact on the lives of those they serve.

Our MFDA Education Committee is currently working on our 2024 Annual Convention location to be announced in August!

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

Convention Title Sponsor & Keynote John O’Leary

Opening Keynote Speaker Co-Sponsor

Wednesday and Thursday Lunch Sponsor

SERVICE CORP

Wednesday Get Your Game On! Sponsors

Get Your CEU Certificates on the PheedLoopGo App!

Our Convention attendees were sent their CEU Certificates via email shortly after Convention. Missed the email or maybe it landed in your spam filter? You can email yourself the Certificate in the MFDA Convention mobile app you used during the Convention. Open the PheedLoopGo! app on your phone, click on the menu icon in the top left corner, click on your name, then select the Files option at the top of the screen. Next you will see the Download Certificate buttonselect the button and a PDF will download on your phone to share to your files or to email. If you’re having any trouble, you can always call the MFDA office for help 763-416-0124.

Keynote Speaker Lincoln Plain Sponsor

Wednesday Exhibit Hall Appetizer Sponsor Kelco Supply Co

Wednesday Exhibit Hall Drink Ticket Sponsor

Foundation Partners Group

Thursday Breakfast Sponsor Brown Wilbert

Lanyard Sponsor

Federated Insurance

Service of Remembrance Sponsors

Brighter Days Family Grief Center

PheedLoopGo! app step 1 (left), step 2 (right)

This same PheedLoop Go! mobile app will be used for tracking CEUs at our Fall CEU Conferences and Preneed Insurance Course so keep it on your phone. n

LifeSource -Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation, Messenger, and Tukios”

Thursday Afternoon Beverage Break Sponsor

ELCO Mutual Life & Annuity

Bright Idea Bingo Grand Prize

Passare

Photo Booth Sponsor

2023 MFDA Convention a Resounding Success

By Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm Sez, LLC

“The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss”

By Frances O’Connor, PhD

You never remember it immediately.

Every morning, there’s a four-second lag between opening your eyes and the realization that someone you love has died, as if your brain is trying to protect you, however briefly. Yes, day-to-day, you’re obviously still struggling. You have blanks in your thinking and holes in your memory and “The Grieving Brain” by Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD may help you see why.

When you lose someone, it’s almost as though your internal GPS has gone haywire. So many things and emotions are where they used to be, but something – someone – is missing and your brain continues to recalculate. Your missing loved one is here, but not here, and dealing with that loss, says O’Connor, can feel like trying to travel through two different worlds. Your brain needs time to “develop new predictions” and adapt to a new normal.

Grief can do other odd things that might make you think you’re “crazy.”

Believing that you’ve seen a loved one or heard him is one, and it’s common. Anger is another, though you may not understand where to lay blame. It’s

even normal to grieve for people you didn’t personally know, such as a celebrity. O’Connor says that evolution contributes to these kinds of “magical” thinking, and that animals do it, too. How your loved one died may change how you grieve and how your neural system is re-wired. Recalling the death or the notification of it, or holding onto “incompatible beliefs” are both ways for the brain to learn to accept the loss you’ve experienced.

The main thing to remember is this: grief is very individual. There is no “prescription” for it, no set time, and no chronology to it, there’s no “clear beginning, middle, and end that we may hope for...” You just have to maintain “flexibility,” ride the “oscillation” of it, and if all else fails and you’re completely feeling stuck, seek help.

“If we never allow the feelings of grief to surface,” says O’Connor, “and we cannot contemplate them... they might continue to plague us.”

Let’s start here: if you are brand-newly bereaved or are anticipating that you will be soon, “The Grieving Brain” is a big NOT YET. You’re not ready for this book.

As author Mary-Frances O’Connor PhD points out in many ways, you’re likely not thinking quite straight. This book will only make things worse, with bounce-around chapters that mix multiple metaphors with personal stories with new-age ideas and science, all lobbed fast at readers with Grief Brain who may not yet be able to catch these hardballs. It doesn’t help that the information can go from grade-school-level explanation to college-level lecture, sometimes in the same sentence. That sweet spot of learning can be lost.

Another thing: O’Connor says she’s not offering advice. So why even read this book?

To understand, but don’t worry about that until you’ve lived with, dined with, and slept with grief for awhile, or you’ll just be more muddled. “The Grieving Brain might be helpful for you in time, but probably nowhere near immediately. n

Frances O’Connor

Photo by: Bevin Christina Dunn

“If we never allow the feelings of grief to surface,” says O’Connor, “and we cannot contemplate them... they might continue to plague us.”

HEALING GRIEF

Providing Care Beyond the Service

How Minnesota funeral homes extend ongoing support to grieving families

By Todd Pernsteiner, Pernsteiner Creative Group

When I lost my mother seven years ago, I got so caught up in the planning and attending her funeral that it took me months for me to realize she was truly gone and that I was in the process of grieving. While she had been ill for many years, and I always wondered if each time I visited her would be the last, not having her at our first family gathering, Thanksgiving, hit home hard – kickstarting my own course of grieving and self-exploration.

As funeral directors (and the fact that you’re also human), you know firsthand, grief can hit people differently at different times, and you realize how long it takes someone to fully grieve varies as well.

“The majority of the world views grief as short-term. People will say to someone grieving ‘you lost your mom a year ago, you must be better by now.’ However, they say it takes many years to find stability and grieving has no timeline,” said Lara Shea, a licensed funeral director and an advance

funeral planner at Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cottage Grove. Next to preparing the body and facilitating the service itself, helping families process grief is one of the most critical parts of being a funeral director.

“Most people look at a funeral director as the death expert. People are looking for us to help them, there should be a certain sense of confidence in that role,” explains Mike Shea, licensed funeral director and manager at Kok. “We avoid discounting someone’s grief by not minimizing what they are going through. It can be easy to be so focused on our own agenda that we forget to be present in the moment with them and realize how important those touchpoints are.”

Ashley Hoff-Czaplewski of Hoff Celebration of Life Center, recognizes grieving the loss of a loved one is so different for each person and there are many factors that affect their grief such as circumstances surrounding the death, their relationship with the

Grief: The response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or some living thing that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed.

Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service distributes lawn spinners to families of veterans prior to Memorial Day.

deceased, and family dynamics. “Any feelings of guilt or anger can also complicate their grief and change their grief journey tremendously,” she said. “The grief tool we tend to jump to first is getting the family to talk about their loved one, said Hoff-Czaplewski. “This helps us get to know their loved one through shared memories, stories, and special things about them. When we can get them talking, it’s amazing to see their demeanor change, if only temporarily. It helps them to remember their loved one with a smile or maybe even a laugh, which can be a good step on their journey.”

To work throught grief, Hoff Celebration of Life Center offers several suggestions to grieving families:

• Letter writing – we encourage them to write a letter to their loved one that will then be cremated or buried with them. This often helps when families feel as though they have left things unsaid.

• Personalization – we remind them that although the service, celebration, funeral, whatever they call it, is ABOUT their loved one, it is really is FOR them. We suggest trying to find ways that bring them some comfort and find ways to bring those elements into the service.

• Visual elements – we suggest families look through and collect photos for the service so they can reminisce about memories throughout the years.

Lara Shea indicated how important clear communication and being a good listener are when working with a grieving family. “Overcommunicating because people are in a fog is so important. We are a hospital for emotionally bleeding people,” she

stated. “Our goal is to be a good listener. Overcommunicate. Make them feel safe and cared for. Whatever form that may take.”

Hoff-Czaplewski reiterated the importance of listening to truly hear what families are saying and allow them to ‘lean on you to get through those tough times.’ “We need to remember that each family, and each person, will be different in how they handle their grief. There will definitely be similarities, but we can’t assume that what worked for one family will work for the next.”

The Aftercare Process

“Life is not a race - but indeed a journey.” - Bonnie Mohr

Since grief can be an ongoing journey, many funeral homes have an aftercare or grief care coordinator on staff who helps families get the support they need. A coordinator can help determine exactly what types of grief services a family or spouse might benefit from. They can also put together a long-term outreach plan for follow-up.

“Depending on what the initial consultation is like, sometimes families will indicate they need help, such as a support group or a recommendation for a therapist. Our grief coordinator, Kelly Haus, follows up with every family we serve and spends time with them as needed,” explained Susan Hutchison, licensed funeral director and location manager at Mattson Funeral Home in Forest Lake.

Haus always puts a plan in place from the first service planning meeting and continues to follow-up with families or spouses throughout the first year after a death. She helps families enroll in the Everything After program, a platform built to help families navigate grief and settle their estates. “Within the app, families get information that softly outlines everything after the funeral. They also have licensed professionals who will follow up with the family if needed,” she said.

Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service also uses Everything After. Mike Shea says it’s been a great tool for people who may not know at the moment what they need – offering resources to help them go as far as they want in the process. “They can ask for specific things they may need in the future,” explained Shea. “The tool has Kok’s name attached to it which shows we are providing it and are here for them.”

Kok’s aftercare coordinator, Donna Mathiowetz, also uses the Doug Manning Special Care Series in her follow-up process. The book series, which is sent to parents or spouses that the funeral home has served, is sent/read during the first year of grief. They are written for the 3rd week, 3rd month, 6th month, and 11th month following a death. The books are all based on discovery –discovering permission to grieve, discovering significance, discovering understanding, and discovering comfort.

Doug Manning Series

Mattson’s Celebration of Life service

Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service’s Heartley Bear program helps families create teddy bears out of deceased loved one’s clothing or belongings.

Mathiowetz also coordinates and facilitates support groups. The Grief Care Group, hosted at Kok, has become primarily a spousal loss group. She also created and facilitates the Gone Too Soon group, designed for parents who have lost a child. Both groups are open to the community, not just to the families they have served.

Losing a child is one of the toughest things anyone can go through, Mathiowetz knows this all too well which makes her a wonderful group facilitator and aftercare coordinator. In the late 1990s she experienced the death of her two teenage sons within two years, one at age 16 and the other at age 15. “My grief education came by way of my own life experience which taght me the coping techniques I use in practice. My ‘college’ was the painful one which I’ve experienced myself,” she explained.

When it comes to helping families, funeral homes are continually adapting to cultural changes and stigmas around mental health and mourning. “We’ve come a long way on grief support,” said Mathiowetz, “but we still have a lot of work to do as a society.”

Honoring Loved Ones

One of the most pressing needs of a grieving family is how to recognize the dignity of those who have passed away.

Mattson Funeral Home holds an annual Holiday Service of Remembrance to honor the memory of the loved ones who have died within the past year. For many, it will be the first time they will return to the funeral home since the service. Understanding how difficult that can be, Mattson’s staff says they are overwhelmed and humbled to have family members gather together with them. “Our hope is that they find

comfort in knowing they are not alone and that their loved ones will forever remain in our hearts, said Hutchison.” Mattson also offers their Heartley Bear program to grieving families as a way to remember loved ones who have died. You can read more about the Heartley Bear program on page 20 of this issue.

Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service has a rose delivered to the family of a loved one on the oneyear anniversary of their death. “It’s unexpected and shows the family we honor their memory. A touchpoint that sometimes may be the only way their

Mattson’s Celebration of Life service

Donna Mathiowetz waits for veteran families to pick up spinners at Kok.

loved one is recognized on an emotional day,” said Lara Shea. Kok also honors veteran’s families they’ve served shortly before Memorial Day. “We get red, white and blue spinners and hand them out free from our lawn. More than half of veteran families have come to pick up a spinner,” says Mathiowetz. “It sends a message to the community that we really do care about people.”

Online Grief Resources

Funeral homes oftentimes have a list of key grief resources on their website which acts as an extension of services to their client families. Mattson has a page on their website dedicated to Aftercare where they offer the Everything After and Brighter Mornings resource which guides loved ones as they traverse the process of losing a loved one. Mattson’s website also hosts articles about understanding grief, grief and mourning basics, and children and grief. They also have a page dedicated to external grief support programs.

“Long after family and friends have returned to normal schedules, you may still feel a need to talk to someone who will listen and understand; we are only a phone call away,” said Mattson’s Haus. “I’m available to provide resources including books on grief, literature, and contacts with local grief support providers and/or support groups.”

Undoubtedly, funeral homes recognize the importance of grief support. From speaking to everyone for this article, it shows there are numerous ways to support grieving families wherever they are in their process. For that, I personally thank each of you. n

Article Contributors

Kelly Haus is the aftercare coordinator for Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, starting as a funeral assistant in 1998. Kelly provides continued care for families during and after the service, she provides support and resources that help families better understand the grieving process. She volunteers at her church and local healthcare center and is active in the “Busy Hands For Love” Knitter’s group at the funeral home. Kelly was born and raised in Montana and moved to Forest Lake in 1987, where she continues to reside with her husband and two sons. In her personal time, Kelly enjoys reading, mowing lawn, biking, and going to the movies with her friends.

Ashley Hoff-Czaplewski is a licensed funeral director, certified crematory operator and certified funeral celebrant at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service. She was born and raised in St. Charles and received her degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota. Ashley is a thirdgeneration funeral director, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, father, and uncle. She is a past president of MFDA. Ashley and her husband, Brandon, have two children, Brooks and Tessa, who keep them on their toes. Ashley enjoys spending time on the river, hunting, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Susan Hutchison is a licensed funeral director, owner, and location manager at Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service. An Ohio native, she graduated with a Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Prior to moving to Minnesota, Susan worked in Iowa for four years until she moved to Forest Lake to carry on the family tradition of professional service to area families. She considers it a privilege and honor

to be given the opportunity to carry on what the Mattson Family began over 100 years ago. In her free time, Susan enjoys volunteering, reading, traveling, and most importantly spending time with her son, Alden, and their two miniature dachshunds, Summer and Winter.

Donna Mathiowetz is the aftercare coordinator at Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service. She is also a speaker and author who walks alongside people as they navigate the rocky path of grief and loss. She helps others move toward healing and forgiveness by sharing her story of loss, grief, and resiliency while giving hope to those who are in the early days of grief. Donna’s own story is a powerful example of how it is possible to not just survive but to thrive after loss. Donna is the author of “A Journal for Your Journey” and “What Have You Done Since I Left?” Her website is www.UnfinishedByDesign.com.

Mike Shea and Lara Shea both grew up in Glenwood, Minnesota. They married as high school sweethearts in 1992 and both went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota with Mortuary Science degrees. They returned to their hometown and served families at the Hoplin Funeral Home for over 11 years. In 2006, they moved to Missouri to work in children’s ministry before returning to Minnesota in 2009. It was at that time that Mike returned to working in funeral service. Mike joined Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service in 2011 and serves as a licensed funeral director and manager. Lara is a licensed funeral director and an advance funeral planner. Mike and Lara have two sons and two daughters. In their spare time, they enjoy being engaged in their children’s lives, being active in their church, and sporting activities.

Helping Families Grieve

In the spring of 2001, a group of funeral directors attending the annual MFDA Convention discussed how they could continue to help their grieving families beyond the funeral service itself.

Having witnessed the first steps of these families’ grief journeys they wanted to help them further along their path of grief. Seeing the greatest need in the children of their families, the Minnesota Foundation for Children (MFC) was established to develop

a program that could help grieving children.

After extensive research, the MFC board joined Iowa’s Amanda the Panda program. In 2003 the first Camp Amanda-Minnesota began with an allvolunteer staff and nearly fifty children and teens attending. The free program was offered through support of funeral directors in the association and funeral service corporate supporters such as Funeral Directors’ Life and Federated Insurance Company.

Under the direction of founding camp director Holly Guncheon, camps were held three times each year around the state. In 2004 volunteers from other fields joined the funeral directors and added a day-long seminar for adult family members called “How to Raise a Grieving Child”.

In 2006, Doug Peterson became the camp director and MFC developed its first strategic plan. The plan included staying current with childhood grief research to ensure a quality program that met the mission of bringing hope and healing to Minnesota’s grieving children.

In 2007 Coral Popowitz took the reins literally, as MFC’s first large-scale fundraiser, Horseback for Hope was held. Two board member funeral directors rode across the state on horseback to bring awareness and donations outside the funeral association that spring.

Staying true to its strategic plan and organizational value of keeping current with grief research, MFC parted with Amanda the Panda and became Children’s Grief Connection (CGC), developing its own camp program called Hearts of Hope.

The Family Grief Connection program was developed and expanded further to meet the needs of the adult family members of campers and teens.

Hearts of Hope Family Grief Camp began in 2013 after extensive planning and piloting. Hearts of Hope is a program that addresses the developmental lifespan of grieving families from birth through grandparenthood. Each activity in the program is designed to meet the Tasks of Mourning at different developmental levels.

In 2019, Coral retired as Executive Director, and in 2021 Jessica Moujouros transitioned from Program Director to Executive Director.

After two years of planning, Children’s Grief Connection became Healing

Photos:

Hearts Connection. The word ‘children’ in our old name was no longer fully representative of their services and future goals. As they’ve evolved and changed, they needed a name that was more inclusive of ALL those they serve. Learn more and support Healing Hearts Connection at www.healingheartsconnection.com. n

Is the New Social Media Generation Changing the Stages of Grief?

Historically, recovering from grief has largely been defined by navigating through the five stages described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in 1969 — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While this formula was fluid — one could move back and forth between the stages over time — it was one done in solitude. Talking about grief was almost akin to not talking about politics at Thanksgiving dinner. It’s just something everyone wanted to avoid.

A recent article in the Washington Post, “Dinner parties and vulnerability: How a new generation has changed grief,” explains how younger generations have rejected the ridge established concept, especially that it must be done alone. They have grown up sharing every aspect of their lives on social media, and grief is just one area that is now being shared in unprecedented ways.

There is a shift in how grief is perceived and experienced, with a growing emphasis on sharing stories and experiences through various platforms. Vulnerability is becoming more accepted, allowing people to openly express their grief and seek support.

Annual Frunge-rasier

Healing Hearts Connection raises funds annually with their lake plunge event, The Frunge. Frungers raise financial support to reward their plunge into an icy Minnesota lake. The Frunge’s 14th anniversary event was held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Lola’s Lakehouse in Waconia. In total, The Frunge has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the organization.

The idea is that there is no right or wrong way to mourn. People now seek support systems that cater to their specific needs and allow for open sharing of the complexities of grief. Virtual platforms like the Dinner Party have emerged to provide a space for younger individuals to connect and find support.

The concept of resilience in the face of loss is also touched on, with research showing that the majority of people exposed to loss are able to experience joy and continue with their lives. Cognitive and emotional flexibility are identified as key factors in building resilience.

Different coping strategies for grief are discussed, including engaging in art, music, physical activities, volunteering, and finding support from peers who have experienced similar loss. The goal is to integrate the experience of grief into one’s life without allowing it to define them.

In conclusion, the evolving understanding of grief has shifted towards a more open, shared, and supportive approach to mourning. It emphasizes the importance of personalized support, community, and resilience in the grieving process.

Read the full article at https://www.washingtonpost. com/wellness/2023/06/14/grief-changinggenerations/

Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service’s Heartley Bear Program Keeping Loved Ones Close

As part of their ongoing aftercare program, Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service assists individuals and families through their Heartley Bear program where families are invited to come create a bear that is cut and sewn from clothing worn by loved ones who have died.

Every year, families are invited to attend one of several Heartley Bear Days held at Mattson’s facility. Volunteers help with cutting, stuffing, and sewing each bear, all at no cost. The only item(s) that families supply is the clothing they’d like their bear to be made from.

Prior to sewing, a wooden heart bearing the name of the loved one is placed inside of the bear, making it a wonderful keepsake or special gift for family members. They are a meaningful and unique way to remember loved ones while holding them close at all times.

Heartley Bears have been so impactful, they were even featured on Kare 11’s “Land of 10,000 Stories” in 2017. Watch the segment by visiting www.bit.ly/HeartleyBear.

Want to learn more and see additional photos? Heartley Bears have their own facebook page. n

4 Things to Look for in Your Aftercare Program

By Lauren Schwenker, Digital Sales Manager, Funeral Directors Life

You’re underutilizing your aftercare program.

According to Eric Layer’s book, The Right Way of Death, families feel that funeral homes provide the most value to them during the preplanning and aftercare stages.

Yet so many funeral homes don’t have an aftercare program that’s actually valuable to families and their businesses.

Here’s the truth: you can have an aftercare program that benefits both parties. You just need to know what to look for.

When exploring your options, or even evaluating your current program, here are 4 things to consider for families and your funeral home.

For families

1. Have many different ways to communicate

The first thing to look for is a program that helps you communicate with families in different ways.

It used to be the norm for funeral personnel to drop by a family’s home with a packet or folder of grief support materials. That was ineffective in a few ways:

– Someone may not have been home

– You may have caught someone at a bad time/they were unprepared to see you

– They may have been less receptive to your preplanning inquiry based on where they were in their grief journey

Now, it’s normal to call, send a text, or even email newsletters to families. This isn’t because funeral directors no longer want that personal touch with families; it’s that families expect a phone call, text, or email as a first touchpoint. The communication style of families has changed, and you need different ways of communicating with them.

Families are more receptive when funeral homes reach out to them in many ways, like text, call, and email. But why you reach out is more important than how you reach out.

Tip: When you’re serving a family, pay attention to the communication style they prefer. Do they text you? Send you emails? Call? Chances are they will be more receptive to those styles coming from you during the aftercare process.

2. Offer grief support and resources about closing an estate

The next thing to look for is a way to deliver valuable information to families. They need grief support. That’s a given. You also want to provide answers to the many questions families will have after the service ends. Questions like:

– “My loved one has passed. What do I do with all their stuff?”

– “What documents do I need to sign, and how can I claim my benefits?”

– “How do I close accounts, memberships, and subscriptions?”

– “What do I need to do to claim benefits and pay off creditors?”

You might have an estate attorney that you recommend to families who can help answer these questions. And that’s great! Your estate attorney is an important part of the aftercare process for your families because they provide legal advice and help families settle a loved one’s estate.

But what if you could help families and your estate attorney through your aftercare program?

With our program, families have 24/7 access to a designated grief website and estate settling website that contain valuable articles and videos. Families can ask questions to licensed therapists, get their questions answered, enroll in grief courses, and more.

Plus, your estate attorney will appreciate the valuable information and the family referral.

In short, when families leave your care, they’ll have questions about closing an estate and grief support. You can help them with Circle of Friends+ (COF+) aftercare.

Tip: Pay attention to the questions your families ask about grief and what to do with a loved one’s estate. You can still recommend an attorney, but families can also benefit from an aftercare program with reliable and valuable information.

For your funeral home

3. Have ways to improve your brand recognition

With more people researching their options online these days, you need a positive brand image in your community. One way to do this is to have Google reviews for your business that are positive (5 stars) and recent. According to Trustpilot, 95% of customers read reviews before buying a product. Similarly, 74% of consumers say that reviews increase trust in a company. So, you’re missing out if you’re not asking your aftercare families for reviews, especially if they had a good experience with your funeral home. Plus, 72% of people asked to leave a review will do so (BrightLocal).

The good news is there are aftercare programs that can automate the process of asking for reviews on behalf of your funeral home. With our program, we even know the exact time to ask that leads to more reviews

from families. It’s just one way we help increase brand awareness and reputations online.

Tip: When researching aftercare program options, ask about their process for getting Google reviews from families. If they don’t have one (or don’t see success with it), keep looking. Our team covers our process in our Circle of Friends+ demos.

4. Find ways to grow your market share

Aftercare is beneficial for families because they get grief support long after a service is over. But with the right aftercare program, your funeral home can win, too!

So, how can you grow your market share with aftercare? Give them an incredible aftercare experience!

Let’s review the main things your aftercare program should do:

Give families grief support

Our program provides a variety of grief resources, from video courses, and articles, to Q&As with licensed therapists so families can heal. Help them close a loved one’s estate “How do I close accounts? What do I do with the will?”

Families have questions, and you can help answer them on our unique website with useful articles.

Consistently reach out in new ways

From texting with live responders to emailing valuable newsletters, checking in with a family lets them know you’re thinking of them and care about their grief journey.

Ask for reviews and referrals

When asked correctly, families are likely to leave reviews, give referrals, and set a meeting to preplan. And with our program, Circle of Friends+, we do all this for you.

Giving families a full aftercare experience with Circle of Friends+ could lead to more satisfied families and could even grow your market share.

It’s time to utilize an aftercare program that benefits you and your families. With Circle of Friends+, everyone wins.

Lauren Schwenker is a Digital Sales Manager for Funeral Directors

Employer Benefits

• Access highly-qualified, professional candidates.

• Generate high return on recruitment advertisement spending.

• Easy-to-use job posting and resume search capabilities.

• Access to job board networks for broader job distribution to qualified candidates.

• Only pay for resumés of interested candidates.

• Applicant tracking and management capabilities.

• Internal messaging system automatically stores messages sent from the job seeker in the candidate’s file.

• User-friendly template system to resuse job postings, pre-screen filters and automatic letters and notifications.

• MFDA Members receive 50% off their listing by using coupon code MFDA50 at checkout.

http://mnfuneral.careerwebsite.com

Life. She enjoys educating funeral professionals about the importance of social media marketing and aftercare for their funeral homes. She can be reached at lauren.schwenker@ funeraldirectorslife.com.

,

For more information on Circle of Friends+, contact Lauren or your Minnesota Funeral Directors Life representative John Harrington, john.harrington@funeraldirectorslife.com or 763-607-0659, or Scott Tufto, scott.tufto@funeraldirectorslife.com

Employer Benefits

• Access highly-qualified, professional candidates.

• Generate high return on recruitment advertisement spending.

• Easy-to-use job posting and resume search capabilities.

• Access to job board networks for broader job distribution to qualified candidates.

Looking

• Only pay for resumés of interested candidates.

• Applicant tracking and management capabilities.

• Internal messaging system automatically stores messages sent from the job seeker in the candidate’s file.

• User-friendly template system to resuse job postings, pre-screen filters and automatic letters and notifications.

• MFDA Members receive 50% off their listing by using coupon code MFDA50 at checkout.

http://mnfuneral.careerwebsite.com

The perfect funeral director candidate could be closer than you think.

The perfect funeral director candidate could be closer than you think.

The perfect funeral director candidate could be closer than you think.

Congress Takes Significant Step to Regulate Body Brokers

With the introduction of the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act (S. 2191/H.R. 4275), Congress took a vital step toward bringing necessary minimum standards to the largely unregulated process of whole body donation. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) thanks Sens. Chris Murphy (DCT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) for introducing this important legislation.

“NFDA fully supports and applauds congressional efforts to pass the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act, which will provide long-overdue accountability and transparency to the whole-body donation process and ensure donors’ bodies are treated with dignity and respect at all times,” said NFDA Senior Vice President, Advocacy, Lesley Witter, MPA, CAE.

Donating the body of a loved one to medical research can bring healing and comfort to a family, knowing that their gift may help advance scientific knowledge and discoveries. However, unscrupulous body brokers, who often aggressively target the poor and elderly, take advantage of this generosity and sell or lease bodies and body parts at a significant profit.

“Non-transplant tissue banks that accept whole body donations need to be better regulated,” said NFDA President Jack Mitchell, CFSP, CCSP. “There are regulations that govern how the body of an individual may be donated, but there is little federal or state oversight over what happens to that donation. This means that anyone, regardless of expertise, can set up a facility and dissect and sell or lease human bodies and body parts to anyone. The money that can be made by body brokers is significant and has

led to bad actors taking advantage of the generosity of donor families by desecrating the bodies of their loved ones. We encourage Congress to pass the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act.”

The Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act would provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with oversight of entities that deal with human bodies and non-transplantable body parts donated for education, research, and the advancement of medical, dental and mortuary science.

The bill, among other things, also requires non-transplant tissue banks be registered with HHS, gives HHS the authority to conduct inspections, requires informed consent when a donation is made, creates a clear chain of custody for each human body or body part; ensures shipments of human bodies and body parts are properly labeled and packaged; and ensures the respectful and proper disposition of donated bodies and body parts. Additionally, the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act establishes penalties for violations.

Background

The decision to donate a loved one’s body for scientific or medical research is an admirable choice and can offer

healing to a grieving family. With whole body donation, bodies and body parts are used for education, research or the advancement of medical, dental or mortuary science. Researchers rely on donated human body parts to develop new surgical instruments, techniques, implants, medicines and treatments for diseases. Surgeons, paramedics and funeral directors use donated bodies and body parts for training, education and research and take great care to respect the tremendous gift of a donor cadaver. While medical schools and staterun anatomy programs do not actively solicit donations, body brokers target the poor and elderly to donate their loved one’s body. Some medical schools have reported that competition from body brokers has reduced the number of bodies donated to schools to train students and conduct research because some brokers can offer donors more favorable terms, such as free removal of the body and cremation.

A patchwork of federal and state laws applies to body brokers. Under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, most state anatomical gift laws largely regulate just one side of the process –how a body may be donated. Most do not address what happens next, such as how brokers dissect, handle and ship the bodies and body parts; the prices they set on human remains; to whom they sell or resell them; how the parts are used by buyers; or the rights of donors and next-of-kin.

In almost every state, it is legal for anyone, even if they do not have training, to sell the human remains of adults. Generally, a broker can sell a donated human body for about $5,000, though prices sometimes top $10,000. Bodies and body parts can be bought, sold and leased, again and

The Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act would protect the dignity of donors and offer peace of mind to families.

“There are regulations that govern how the body of an individual may be donated, but there is little federal or state oversight over what happens to that donation.”

Congress Takes Significant Step to Regulate Body Brokers

Continued from page 23…

again. As a result, it can be difficult to track what becomes of donors’ bodies, ensure they are handled with dignity, and returned to their loved ones after cremation. Fewer rules mean fewer consequences when bodies are mistreated and, when donor bodies are mistreated, the impact on surviving family members can be heartbreaking.

“We have heard upsetting stories from families that believed they were doing a good thing when they donated a loved one’s body for medical research,” said NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, CAE. “They truly believed the donation would create a positive legacy. However, the shocking actions of body brokers have only caused further grief. We strongly urge Congress to pass the Consensual

Donation and Research Integrity Act and provide long-overdue accountability and transparency to the whole-body donation process and ensure donors’ bodies are treated with dignity and respect at all times.”

For more information about the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act, visit www.nfda.org/ bodybrokerbill. n

• Sample questions

Why Is Knowing The Value of Your Business So Important?

Determining the value of your business is the first step to succession planning. Usually, your business is the largest asset you own, and a value is needed when drafting a buy-sell agreement, estimating your future retirement income needs, or creating an estate plan.

Knowing the value can help ensure that in the event of an unforeseen death you receive a fair price for the business that you spent a lifetime building. Additionally, it can help to avoid conflict with other owners, family members, and the IRS.

Where do you begin?

Formal business valuations can be expensive, costing as much as $1,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the complexity of the business. Also, there are different methods that can be used to value a business, such as:

 Book value

 Adjusted book value

 Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation & Amortization (EBIDTA)

 Multiplier of sales

 Straight capitalized earnings

The method that makes the most sense for your company will depend on your specific type of business. It might be based on assets and liabilities, or on the profits that the business produces.

Reach out to your local Federated® marketing representative for more information about our Value Estimator TM service, which can provide you with a value that may be used as a starting point with your attorney and other advisors for business succession or estate planning discussions.

Shaping the Future of Funeral Services: Insights from the 2023 National Funeral Directors Association

Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C.

The funeral service industry plays a vital role in providing compassionate support and dignified farewells to families during their most challenging times. As the landscape of funeral services continues to evolve, it becomes crucial for industry professionals to gather and discuss the pressing issues and advocate for positive change. The 2023 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Advocacy Summit held in Washington, D.C., on April 19-21 served as a platform for collaboration, education, and advocacy, offering valuable insights into the future of funeral services.

NFDA’s Advocacy Summit provided funeral directors, industry leaders, and policymakers an opportunity to come together and address the key challenges facing the funeral service profession. Participants engaged in conversations with lawmakers and policymakers to advocate for sensible regulations and fair business practices. By sharing their firsthand experiences and expertise, attendees played a vital role in shaping policies that would positively impact the profession and the families it serves.

MFDA’s executive director and executive committee members attended the Summit and visited with the following Minnesota Congressional staff:

• Rep. Craig

• Rep. Emmer

• Rep. Finstad

• Rep. Fischbach

• Sen. Klobuchar

• Sen. Smith

• Rep. Stauber

Critical issues discussed with legislators during the NFDA Advocacy Summit Day on the Hill (visit https://nfda.org/ advocacy/overview for more details on these issues):

Legislative Issues

• Consensual Donation & Research Integrity Act

• Health Savings Accounts & Funeral Expenses

Regulatory Issues

• FTC Review of the Funeral Rule

• EPA Review of Formaldehyde

MFDA President Joe Mahn, Treasurer Sara Thompson, Executive Director Miki Tufto, and Past President Brian Dingmann ready for a full day of Hill visits in Washington DC)

Strope-Robinson Case Identifies Potential Gap in Homeowners Insurance Coverage when a Person Dies

By Julian J. Zweber, Attorney at Law, St Paul, MN

On August 10, 2017, in anticipation of his coming death from leukemia, Strope executed a Transfer on Death Deed (a TODD) to transfer his homestead to his niece Dawn StropeRobinson on his death. The deed was recorded shortly afterwards as required by law. Strope died on August 14, 2017.

Five days later, his former wife Denise Lehti intentionally burned down the house. The house and its contents were a total loss. Lehti was prosecuted and found guilty of arson. Strope was the named insured on a homeowners policy issued by State Farm Insurance. The policy was paid for the full year and was in good standing at the time of the fire.

When Strope’s niece submitted a claim for the damages six months later, State Farm denied coverage for the house but paid the claim for the decedent’s personal property. State Farm denied coverage for the house citing the policy definition of “insured.” The policy defined “insured” as “the named insured and residents of the household who are relatives of the named insured or

persons who are under age 21 and in the care of the named insured or covered resident relatives.” The niece was none of these.

The niece commenced a declaratory judgment action in State court, but it was removed to federal court where it eventually landed in the 8th Circuit. The niece offered many theories why coverage should exist, but the 8th Circuit dismissed each one, finding instead that Minnesota case law holds that a decedent’s property transfers instantaneously at the moment of death to the decedent’s survivors. For some reason the 8th Circuit did not cite Minn. Stat. 524.2-402, which has the same effect.

In its conclusion, the 8th Circuit held that the niece was not an insured under the policy and State Farm did not owe her any coverage for the damage to the house.

Because of this decision’s possible application beyond TODDs to the estates of decedents, where title devolves at the instant of death to survivors, the heirs or devisees of a decedent, especially an unmarried decedent, should contact the

decedent’s insurance agent as soon as possible after the decedent’s death to confirm continued coverage for the decedent’s home and personal property in favor of the decedent’s survivors.

Funeral directors are well positioned to pass this warning to a decedent’s survivors as part of funeral planning. Although not many homes can be expected to be burned down by a disgruntled former spouse, Minnesota’s weather can produce the same result over a weekend. Confirming continuation of insurance coverage for the decedent’s property should be part of “what to do” as soon as possible after a person dies. Minnesota funeral directors can play an important role in plugging this insurance gap until state law can be changed to avoid this result. The Legislative Committee of the Real Property Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association is currently pursuing curative legislation to avoid this problem, but no legislation is expected to pass prior the 2024 session at the earliest and maybe not then. n

In its conclusion, the 8th Circuit held that the niece was not an insured under the policy and State Farm did not owe her any coverage for the damage to the house.

Helping Families Navigate Grief and Healing

Funeral partners, thank you for everything you do to care for and celebrate life in our community. When a family chooses to donate their loved one’s organs, eyes, or tissue, it creates a beautiful legacy that impacts hundreds of lives. LifeSource’s intent is the same as yours: to serve these families and honor the life of their loved one. Families of donors are at the heart of our work. In this summer update, I want to share a glimpse into the donor family aftercare program – its resources and tribute opportunities - which is available to families for as long as they need.

Families are enrolled into our aftercare program at the time of their loved one’s death. To date, our dedicated Donor Family Advocates are supporting 13,582 households, with nearly 1,400 new families added last year.

The families have an open invitation to share their donation experiences at any time - from the moment they are approached for the opportunity to years later; LifeSource helps them navigate this journey of grief and healing.

We honor them.

Families receive communications from the LifeSource Aftercare team throughout the first year. The first letter shares the gifts that were recovered and how those gifts may impact the recipients. They also receive invitations to

80,000+ lives healed by tissue donors in 2022. Thank you!

annual remembrance events and opportunities to connect with other grieving families whose loved ones gave the gift of life. At the one-year anniversary of their loved one’s death, a handwritten note is sent to the donor’s family.

“The ability to care for others is inherent in humanity. Caring for those grieving is a special calling. I have always been drawn to care for the deceased and their loved ones, as a funeral director and now through LifeSource. It gives me purpose, it is humbling, and it is a privilege. I am honored to serve as a Donor Family Advocate and help support families along their grief journey.” – Heather Schmitt, Donor Family Advocate and MN Licensed Funeral Director

We care for and support them.

Ongoing support for our donor families comes in many forms, including dedicated online resources and in addition to the mailed touchpoints, families have exclusive access to a private social media group to connect with other donor families. This has been described as healing for many families as they can share their journey with others who have had a similar experience.

LifeSource partners with What’s Your Grief, an online learning space that offers courses including reading, videos, and activities that the donor family members may complete at their own pace. It provides a space for the donor families wishing to explore, learn and connect around topics related to grief coping and support.

We remember them.

Legacy opportunities also help families recognize and pay tribute to their loved one’s generosity. These options include the LifeSource Healing Garden inscriptions, the Gallery of Hope, and the Donor Family Quilt.

Within the serenity of the Healing Garden is a memorial wall and garden benches. Families can opt to have their loved one’s name inscribed on the wall or on a bench. An annual ceremony is held in this space to gather in remembrance and unveil the new inscribed donor names. The healing garden is accessible 24/7 and families are welcome to visit at any

time. The Gallery of Hope is an online tribute collection to donors and transplant recipients. With this legacy opportunity, families share their loved one’s story and legacy of their donation through photos and words. Visitors may also experience the Gallery of Hope in person in LifeSource’s lobby.

The LifeSource Donor Family Quilt is a patchwork of memories created by donor families to honor their loved ones. All donor families are invited to submit a quilt square and accompanying tribute.

We connect them.

Donor families and transplant recipients are invited to communicate and meet each other at any time. The donation process is anonymous and remains anonymous unless both parties agree to share their information; this process is facilitated between our Aftercare team and the transplant centers and processors. Writing a recipient is a very personal experience, and receiving a letter is no different. One of our dedicated team members will draft a letter sharing that a communication had been received from a donor family or from a recipient. Inside this communication

an enclosed envelope will be the correspondence from the donor family or recipient. This is done with intention, so that the letter may be read when the letter recipient is ready. Thank you, funeral directors - for all you do to care for the families you serve. We are continually searching for ways in which to support our donor families. Should you have any suggestions or would like to learn more about our donor family after care program you may view our website: https://www.life-source.org/ donor-families/ or reach out to Kelley Romanowski, Partner Support Liaison, 612.322.4303 for further information. n

Bennett D. Passeri, 61, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023, due to prolonged health issues.

Ben was born on September 23, 1961, the son of Robert and Marie (Jewett) Passeri. Ben was raised and attended school at Deer River, and was a proud member of the Class of 1979, with whom he had many lifelong friendships that he cherished.

Ben was active in school activities and sports, and if you knew Ben, you knew he held the record for most tackles in a game (18) for many years; he also wrestled heavyweight on the first DRHS team to ever go to the state tournament.

Ben joined the US Army, serving in Okinawa, Japan and the Philippines. After discharge, Ben worked the pipeline until returning to Minnesota in August of 1984 to attend Bemidji State University to begin his dream of becoming a Mortician.

Upon his return to the Deer River area, Ben met Deborah Dumm, whom he married in 1989, after graduating from the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science.

Ben worked at funeral homes in Minneapolis and Virginia, MN, before becoming the manager at Range Funeral Home in Hibbing, where Ben and Deb made their home and welcomed son Brett in 1992. Ben and his family moved to Grand Rapids in 1995 after accepting a job at Rowe Funeral Home, where he continued to be a Funeral Director until health issues forced him to retire in 2018. Ben and Deb parted ways in 2016 after Ben met Wanda Cullen, with whom he shared his life until his passing.

Ben loved watching sports, in particular, Michael Jordan, collecting antiques and flea markets, metal detecting, gambling at casinos and trips to Las Vegas, Diet Pepsi and sweets, all while chewing his favorite Copenhagen. Ben liked to wear flashy

clothes and gold jewelry, but also never turned down a good, cheap or free deal.

Ben enjoyed having a Corvette or two around, as well as three and four wheelers; he even tried a Gold Wing at one point, but that didn’t turn out well for him or the fence. Ben enjoyed music concerts and attended many Moondance James, although comping in an RV always proved to be problematic for him.

A lover of all animals, Ben brought home numerous homeless pets over the years, and many dollars were spent feeding deer and his beloved blue birds. Ben took up kayaking and enjoyed riding in his side by side in his most recent years.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Marie, older brother Bradley, and many other family members.

Ben is survived by his son Brett David Passeri, brother Brian Passeri, nieces and nephews and their children, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous lifelong friends. Ben also leaves behind his partner Wanda and her children and grandchildren, and his former wife Deb.

Per Ben’s request, there are no services planned at this time. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

David “Dub” Ferrell, age 86, of Annandale, died on Saturday, June 3, 2023, with family at his side, at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Funeral Services were held June 9, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale with Rev. Tyler LaGrave officiating. Burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Annandale. Visitation was held June 8 and June 9, both at the church. A prayer service was held June 8 at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to

Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale. David Bowen Ferrell was born March 10, 1937, in Minneapolis to Keith and Rachel (Bowen) Ferrell. He grew up in Annandale and was proud to be a lifelong resident. Growing up, he and his brother worked for their dad in the gravel pits. This started a lifelong passion for anything related to dirt, gravel and rock. He graduated from Annandale High School with the Class of 1955. During school Dub especially enjoyed sports and music. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota. On June 21, 1959, he was united in marriage to the absolute love of his life, Judith Hart, at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale; they were the first wedding to take place in the present sanctuary. They lived in Annandale, purchasing Dunton Funeral Home, which they owned and operated for 20 years prior to selling the company in 1980 to the Dingmanns. Dub became active in Real Estate with Ferrell Co. As a way to support his lifelong love of dirt, Dub owned and operated Annandale Rock Products, Mid-MN Hot Mix, and Mid-MN Concrete. The businesses are still owned and operated by the Ferrell family. Through all their ventures, Dub and Judy worked as a team; Dub kept the business end of everything in order while Judy was his rock that kept everything else together.

Dub was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale and a former member of the Annandale Lions Club. He proudly served on the Board at Zion Lutheran Church, the Annandale City Council, and the Annandale School Board. Everything Dub loved, he loved to the fullest, his faith, his family, his work, FOX News, Lawrence Welk, and his everpresent handkerchief. Dub never had a shortage of opinions to share with others whether they asked to hear them or not. Dub’s door was always open; he enjoyed sharing a gimlet or glass of wine, and a good story with anyone that walked by the porch. His greatest love was for his wife, family, and his God.

Dub is survived by his children, Sue (Amanuel) Abeje of Minneapolis, Tim (Teresa) of Annandale, and Jon (Misty) of South Haven; 6 grandchildren, Samuel and Joseph Abeje, Christina (Ben) Lacina, Nathan, Daniel, and Alexandra Ferrell; sisters-in-law, Deedee Ferrell and Carleen Hart; nieces and nephews, Sarah and Josh Hart, Rick Anderson, Keith, Kris, and Kim Ferrell. Dub was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; parents, Keith Ferrell and Rachel Ferrell-Bryant; brother, Dana Ferrell; and brother-inlaw, Jim Hart.

Dub’s grandchildren will serve as the casket bearers. Kathy Murphy will provide the music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.

Obituary, Guestbook, Tribute Video and Service Webcast online at www. dingmannfuneral.com.

Gabriel William Benson, age 26, died in his sleep in his Minneapolis apartment on June 9, 2023.

Gabe’s memorial service was held June 18 at Augsburg University’s Chapel with a reception.

To honor him, please wear something Gabe-esque, with sparkle or glamour. A family burial will be July 28 at the West Lake Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sunburg, MN.

Gabe was born April 3, 1997, in Rockford, IL, the youngest of three sons to John and Jill (Roisum) Benson. He moved to Willmar, MN for his upbringing. As a child, he loved “The Wizard of Oz,” and in school, he loved reading, musicals, and playing French horn and cello. In high school, he played in band, built sets, captained the set crew, and went to state in Speech; he graduated from Willmar High School in 2015.

Gabe loved college, earning a BA at Augsburg University in 2019, majoring in English and Communications. He earned a Master of Professional Studies in Publishing from The George Washington University. The pandemic changed Gabe’s trajectory as he had a road to Damascus conversion to mortuary science. He wanted life and death work, and he found it. The proudest day of his life was graduating with his Mortuary Science BS degree from the University of Minnesota in May 2022. The year he worked as a funeral director at the Cremation Society of Minnesota combined his gifts: comfort with the dead, creativity, and empathy. He was also

an assistant speech coach at Chaska Chanhassen High School and worked as a substitute teacher.

Gabe was our heart. He routinely visited his second cousins Harper, Hudson, Ruby and Owen and truly because a fixture in their lives. Gabe showed up to every holiday and always gave hugs. All of his friends consider themselves to be Gabe’s favorites, and they are probably right. His enjoyed playing trivia, karaoke, and theater. He was warm, dramatic, and had an infinite capacity for the lives of people – old or young / dead or alive.

Gabe is survived by his parents Jill and John Benson of Willmar, sister Serah Wolfe of Olivia, and brother Paul (Tiff) Benson of Minneapolis. He is also survived by his grandmother Carol Benson of Kandiyohi; uncles, aunts, and cousins: Steve and Nikki Roisum and Logan; Pete and Cheryl Benson and Blake; Dan and Sarah Rowe Benson and Katherine and Elizabeth; Andrew and Kristine Benson and Sydney and Paige; and great aunts and uncles: Lee Roisum and Carol Welker; Marit Elliott, Judy Nelson, Irene Swanson, and Susan Hansen.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Dwain and Marlys Roisum, William Benson, and cousin Sue Schmitz.

NFDA Introduces Business Credit Card for Members

Members of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) can save money as they spend with the new NFDA business credit card built by Mercantile. Created exclusively for NFDA members, this card offers unparalleled benefits including up to 10% cash back on purchases made with NFDA1, and up to 2% on all purchases1.

“When we asked our members about new benefits they wanted from NFDA, a business credit card was among the top four requests,” said NFDA President Jack Mitchell, CFSP, CCSP. “Having access to a powerful credit card is critical for small businesses and Mercantile’s NFDA business credit card will not only help NFDA members expand their purchasing power but save them money with cash back and other exclusive discounts and rebates designed for funeral directors. In fact, I have already applied for the NFDA business credit card.”

Like NFDA’s other Endorsed Provider Partners, Mercantile’s NFDA business card offers association members exclusive benefits, including:

• Up to 10% back on all NFDA purchases1, such as membership dues, convention and conference registration fees, webinars, etc.

• Up to 2% back on all purchases1

• As more funeral directors use the card, Mercantile is able to negotiate

better and better deals with funeral home specific vendors

• No annual fee

• Free, unlimited cards for members of a funeral home’s staff

• No impact on personal credit

• Mastercard® World Elite business credit card that comes with a host of best-in-class benefits, to include insurance, business concierge, and many more

• Spend management platform that syncs with QuickBooks

Mercantile offers funeral home owners an exclusive card management platform on which they can create credit cards and set spending limits for funeral home staff, redeem rewards and vendor offers2, view expenses charged to company cards, pay balances, and more.

“The response from NFDA members has surpassed our expectations, and we are excited to work with funeral homes to ensure the best-in-class business card meets their business needs,” said Joseph Fargiorgio, general manager, Mercantile. “We have the tools and resources to help funeral homes better track their spending, earn money back, and make their business more profitable. We’re thrilled to make this credit card available now to NFDA members.”

More information about the NFDA business credit card available through Mercantile, including details on how to apply, is available on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/ endorsedproviders. n

Conditions apply. Subject to approval. Mercantile Financial Technologies, Inc. is a financial technology company, not a bank. The NFDA Credit Cards are issued by Hatch Bank pursuant to a license from Mastercard. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Review the cardholder agreement at nfda.org.

Reference to any products, services, hypertext link to third parties or other information by trade name, trademark, supplier or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by Hatch Bank.

1 2% rewards on all purchases for the first 6 months after account creation, and 1.5% rewards after that. 10% in rewards on NFDA up to $1,000 and 1.5% rewards after that. See Card Terms for all participating Merchants.

2 To participate in the Vendor Offers program you must have an eligible NFDA Business credit card.

THANK YOU

2023 MFDA ALLIED MEMBERS!

MFDA thanks those individuals who have shown their commitment to MFDA and its members by becoming Allied members. To contact a member call the MFDA office at 763-416-0124 or refer to your MFDA Directory.

Anatomy Bequest Program

Angela McArthur, Shannon Vadnie, Linnea Seidelmann, Sarah Paulsen, Marina Burandt, Jason Vollmer www.bequest.umn.edu

Artco Casket Company, Inc.

Bill Currie, Wally Gelecinskyj www.artcocasket.com

Avalon, Inc

Daniel Seman

www.sgi.services

Baines Professional Vehicles John Baines www.4hearse.com

Bedker Law, PLLC

Callyn Bedker www.bedkerlaw.com

Brown-Wilbert, Inc.

Christopher Brown, Andrew Brown, Maleia Kavitz, Jeff Bauer, Joel Cairy www.brown-wilbert.com

Citizen’s State Bank

Troy Weathers www.csbnet.net

Dodge Company Lincoln Plain www.dodgeco.com

ELCO Mutual Life & Annuity

Julie and Jim Palm www.elcomutual.com

Federated Insurance

Hunter Kennedy www.federatedinsurance.com

Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association

Kari A. Hubbard www.forestlawnmn.com

Funeral Directors Life

John Harrington, Scott Tufto www.funeraldirectorslife.com

Good Life Consultants

Richard Graner www.goodlifeconsultants.com

Great Western Insurance Company

Doug Stolt www.gwic.com

Healing Hearts Connection (Formerly Children’s Grief Connection)

Jessica Moujouros www.healingheartsconnection.com

Johnson Williams Funeral Car

Todd Anderson www.jwfuneralcars.com

Kachina Supply Inc.

Jeff Grimm www.KachinaFuneralSupply.com

Kelco Supply Alicia Carr www.kelcosupply.com

Keystone Funeral Home Design Build

Marcel Kelash www.keystonedb.com

Laker Insurance Patrick Zalusky

LifeSource - Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation

Kelley Romanowski Melinda Van Waus www.life-source.org

Maguire Refining, Inc.

John Maguire www.maguireref.com

MAS Communications

Mary Reeves www.mascommunications.net

Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions

Roger Ruth www.matthewsaurora.com

Messenger Bob Hoaglund www.messengerstationery.com

Midwest Medical Examiners Office

Shane Sheets, Angie Chalmers www.midwestmedicalexaminer.com

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Mike Maslow www.startribune.com

Minnesota Roadways Co. Monica Bestge www.mnroadways.com

Northern Design Caskets

Scott Haiby 800-468-4955

Northwestern Casket Co.

Thomas Dunleavy www.nwcasket.com

Parks Superior Sales

Jason MacNaught www.parkssuperior.com

Precoa Kelsey Akinradewo www.precoa.com

Rock What Your Got

Jim Gibson www.rockwhatyougotlive.com

Safe Air Today/DPS

Leia Ryan www.safeairtoday.com

Scene Clean Nate Berg, Jenny Berg www.scenecleanmn.com

Sharkey Law, PLLC Michael Sharkey, Esq. 952-334-4460

Smith Carriage Company, LLC

Ben Smith www.smithcarriageco.com

TC Live Stream Paul Peterson tclivestream.com

Terra Trees, LLC Misty Dietz www.terratrees.earth

The Purple Cross Plan Denis Nordlum www.purplecross.com

United Heritage Insurance

Bob Hanson www.unitedheritage.com

University of Minnesota Mortuary Science

Michael LuBrant www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu

Wieser Vault

Matt Wieser, Todd Wieser www.wieser-doric.com

Allied membership provides ways to reach Minnesota Funeral Directors. Annual Allied membership is just $360. For more information and to join, visit www.mnfuneral.org and click “Join MFDA” in the top menu.