2 minute read
Executive Director’s Report
By Darlyne Erickson. CAE
Happy fall y’all!
Congratulations! We made it through the summer in ways that we never thought possible! I know we have heard enough about COVID-19, politics and all that entails so I will not expound on those situations. The last time I wrote it was all about the Fatality Management Group that was really ahead of the game. Fortunately, some of the things that we were concerned did not come to pass, i.e. not enough body storage for a very high death rate. I know many of you, if not all, have had the experience of guiding a family through a death related to COVID. I am certain it adds another element, but bottom-line I know every death is individually important and you handle each situation with care and dignity. Families may take it for granted “because that is what funeral directors do”. But I know enough to understand how hard you work to make the transition/ celebration special. I have heard many stories of just how individualized a funeral can be. A young man from northern Minnesota died unexpectedly and his family pondered on how to best celebrate his life. After sharing with the Funeral Director, it was decided to use the high school football field. The young man was 19 and had played ball there while in High School as recently as last year. Friends in the bleachers, family down on the field on the home team side, his casket was on the 50 yard line mid-way out in the field and full military honors in the center of the field, (he was in the National Guard) plus it was a beautiful day. I am sure there was laughter mixed with tears, but that family will always appreciate what the funeral director did by going that extra mile. The MFDA Board held their August meeting in a virtual/in person format. We not only worked hard on our budget for 2021, we pared down the 2020 budget knowing that both our income as well as expense could be considerably less this year. I am happy to report that our bottom-line at the end of the year will be black…well maybe a bit gray, but still strong. All in all, MFDA is in a solid position, and we appreciate you, as members, for continuing to support the association. It has been 130 years and I think that says a lot. Thank you for your continued support! “Show me the manner in which a nation or a community cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high ideals.” - William E. Gladstone
