Staying Connected How MFDA was there for all of Minnesota funeral service in 2020 and will continue to be in 2021. We provided urgent COVID-19 information for Minnesota funeral service through: Communications
Legislative
Online Community
As a show of solidarity with funeral directors across Minnesota and to promote what is best for funeral service and the families we serve, MFDA shared urgent and important communications with all funeral service practitioners in Minnesota. We provided up-to-date information regarding all of Governor Walz’s Executive Orders affecting funeral service.
Funeral directors faced truly unprecedented challenges in 2020 and through the everchanging regulatory landscape, MFDA’s Lobbyist Joe Sellwood of Cook Girard Associates was there to demand greater clarity and guidance from the Department of Health. In situations where new regulations were untenable, Cook Girard Associates quickly worked with MDH and the Governor’s Office to find solutions for funeral directors and the families they serve.
At the beginning of the pandemic, MFDA quickly launched our new Online Community, knowing the importance of having a quick way to communicate with funeral directors, as well as provide a forum for funeral directors to ask questions of their community. During March and April, we allowed all funeral directors, whether members of MFDA or not, to participate in the Online Community, knowing the importance of having this forum for all of Minnesota funeral service.
Meeting Involvement
MFDA provided, and will continue to provide in 2021, a sense of community through the pandemic. We are in this together!
Legal Our MFDA General Counsel Michael Sharkey provided legal interpretation of Executive Orders from the Governor’s office.
Grassroots Movement Ability to unite members to send a consistent message and direction needed to contact Minnesota legislators to change the Executive Orders, in a very timely manner.
Our MFDA staff and board members participated in frequent meetings with the Minnesota Fatality Management Team and Minnesota Department of Health Mortuary Science staff to communicate questions/issues as needed.
We hope you feel MFDA is here for you and Minnesota funeral service. We look forward to your investment in the future of funeral service by renewing your 2021 MFDA membership with the enclosed application or online at www.mnfuneral.org. If you have any questions regarding membership, please contact MFDA at 763-416-0124 or email kathy@mnfuneral.org.
Darlyne Erickson, CAE MFDA Executive Director
8 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2021
Kelly Kelly MFDA Board President
