Staying Connected in 2020

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

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.

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.

Legislative

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.

Meeting Involvement

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.

Online Community

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.

MFDA provided, and will continue to provide in 2021, a sense of community through the pandemic. We are in this together!

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 Kelly Kelly MFDA Executive Director MFDA Board President

Staying Connected

Other MFDA Accomplishments in 2020

Legal Counsel for Members

This year MFDA retained Michael D. Sharkey, Licensed Funeral Director and Attorney with Cousineau, Van Bergen, McNee and Malone, as its General Counsel. Mr. Sharkey serves as a resource to the association as well as our members. Those firms who need mortuary law specific legal guidance, (often on short or even emergency notice) can spend up to 30 minutes getting answers they need.

MDH Mortuary Science

We continued to provide a direct voice to the Minnesota Department of Health Mortuary Science Section through regular meetings with MDH and MFDA staff.

Virtual CEU Opportunities

MFDA switched their typically in-person CEU opportunities to virtual! Our Preneed Insurance Course, District Meetings, and OSHA Training were offered online to continue to provide CEU opportunities for our members and non-members.

MFDA’s Online Community

MFDA’s new Online Community is a place for member funeral directors to connect with peers, ask questions, find resources, participate in conversations, and hear the latest news from MFDA! All funeral director staff will have access as MFDA members.

Lobbyist Representation

We continued representation through our professional lobbyists, Cook Girard Associates. MFDA’s Lobbyist Joe Sellwood has built relationships with many new legislators, furthered existing relationships, and policymakers are eager to assist MFDA with our needs at the capitol. With changing workforce and regulatory trends, it is critical to maintain communication with those who craft policy, and MFDA has a daily presence at the capitol. While navigating changes brought forth by the pandemic, MFDA continues to gather input from members for a comprehensive package of reforms to 149A.

Workforce Development

Continue to address workforce challenges through ongoing discussions with advisory committees. In 2020, MFDA virtually attended the Minnesota School Counselors Conference to promote mortuary science as a career option for students.

MFDA’s Career Center

MFDA’s Career Center provides options for both employers and job seekers to use with a 50% discount for MFDA members. Monthly emails and social media posts promote job postings.

Partnerships

Continued partnerships with our endorsed preneed insurance provider Funeral Directors Life, endorsed commercial insurance provider Federated Insurance, and support of the Children’s Grief Connection.

Want to renew your MFDA membership online?

Visit www.mnfuneral.org and sign-in to your MFDA members-only account. Need your log-in info? Call Miki at 763-416-0124 or email her at mtufto@mnfuneral.org

John Maguire

President 1290 - 81ST AVE. N.E. MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55432 763-786-2858 800-486-2858 FAX 763-786-7793 john.maguire@maguireref.com www.maguireref.com PRECIOUS METAL REFINING