FALL 2019
BULLETIN
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY FOR MINNESOTA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
MFDA Launching Members-Only MFDA Online Community This Fall Later this fall we will be launching a new exclusive members-only benefit called the MFDA Online Community. The MFDA community will be a forum for our members to ask questions, discuss/debate industry issues, and share ideas. You can learn more about MFDA and other partner organization events, and find industry resources to review and download. Your MFDA Online Community will feature all communications from our office and will be available to all member funeral home staff! Watch your email for your invitation to join YOUR COMMUNITY!
Ask. Discuss. Learn. Share.
Change Service Requested Minnesota Funeral Directors Association 7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311
MFDA Bulletin
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TTENTION ATIGUE MOTION
Minnesota Funeral Directors Association MFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Chris Jacobson Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home Ada, MN chris.jacobson@tlcofduluth.com
Secretary Brian Dingmann Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services, Annandale, MN brian@dingmannfuneral.com
Treasurer Kelly J. Kelly Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes Kasson, MN kjkell0803@yahoo.com
Past President Dan Dahl Dahl Funeral Home East Grand Forks, MN dan.dahl@midconetwork.com
DISTRICT DIRECTORS Joe Mahn (District 1) Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Red Wing, MN jmahn62@hotmail.com Tonya D. Borth (District 2) Kolden Funeral Home Le Sueur, MN tonya_04@hotmail.com Marquis Madison (District 3) Totzke Funeral Home Fulda, MN totzke@mchsi.com
POLICY BOARD REPRESENTATIVE Leif Larsen Green-Larsen Mortuary International Falls, MN larsen_625@msn.com
PAST PRESIDENT REP Ken Peterson, CFSP
Johnson-Peterson Funeral Home White Bear Lake, MN petersonkb@gmail.com
STAFF
Lance Peterson (District 4/5) Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Service Willmar, MN lance@petersonbrothers.com
Darlyne Erickson, CAE Executive Director
Scott Benson (District 6 & 7) Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, Inc. Robbinsdale, MN sbenson@delmore.com
Amy Beckham (Administrative)
Sara Thompson (District 8) Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services Sauk Centre, MN sthompson@pattonschad.com
Kathy Sheridan (Membership/Convention)
Andrew Yaggie (District 9) Glende-Nilson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fegus Falls, MN andrew@glendenilson.com
763-416-0124 612-940-8169 (cell) info@mnfuneral.org
amy@mnfuneral.org
Sue Sack (Accounting) sue@mnfuneral.org
kathy@mnfuneral.org
Miki Tufto (Communications/Convention) mtufto@mnfuneral.org
Message From the President................................................ 4 Executive Director’s Report.................................................. 6 Legislative Update................................................................. 7 U of M Mortuary Science Update......................................8-9 Service of Gratitude is November 11th............................... 10 NFDA Commends Funeral Homes................................. 10-11 LifeSource Update............................................................... 11 USPS Updates Shipping Process......................................... 12 Changes to St. Cloud Hospital Policy................................. 12 2019 MFDA Leadership Academy Graduates............... 13-19 Book Review: “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?”...................20 Remember a Life: Social Media Made Easy....................... 21 MFDA Allied Member News..........................................22-23 In Memorium..................................................................24-25 MFDA Career Center........................................................... 26 2019 MFDA Allied Members............................................... 27
Upcoming Events October 15 MFDA District 3 Meeting Key Largo, Slayton October 16 MFDA District 2 Meeting Loose Moose Saloon, Mankato October 17 MFDA District 1 Meeting Rochester Event Center, Rochester October 23 MFDA District 8 Meeting Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud
October 23-25 LifeSource Spark Event Mystic Lake Center, Prior Lake October 27-30 NFDA International Convention & Expo Chicago, IL May 27, 2020 NFDA Cremation Certification Program Mystic Lake Center, Prior Lake May 27-29, 2020 MFDA’s 130th Annual Convention Mystic Lake Center, Prior Lake
Who We Are: Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association (MFDA) is the statewide resource dedicated to supporting our member’s growth professionally, ethically, and operationally.
What Is 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:
Tim Anderson(District 10) Anderson Funeral Home Twin Valley, MN timanderson@arvig.net David Huso (District 11) Rowe Funeral Home Grand Rapids, MN husodavid@yahoo.com
In This Issue
7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311 p: (763) 416-0124 • f: (763) 416-0124 e: info@mnfuneral.org www.mnfuneral.org
• 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 • 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
The MFDA Bulletin is published quarterly for MDFA members. Copyright ©2019 MFDA Service Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. Advertising opportunities are available by contacting MFDA to request an ad rate sheet. Please e-mail the ad to info@mnfuneral.org, fax or mail to the fax number or address listed above, along with the desired run time of your ad.
www.mnfuneral.org 3
From the President By Christopher L. Jacobson, MFDA President
Fall in Minnesota This past summer, I was able to attend the National Funeral Directors Association Leadership Academy in San Diego, California with other members of your MFDA board. While there, we participated in a roundtable discussion with each state in attendance to discuss issues they are facing and to gain insight as to how to successfully address those issues. The consensus was that a majority of states are concerned about workforce development. Many states have made various efforts, and the one that has been the most effective is the mentoring students. It has proved to be successful in other states, let’s embrace it here in Minnesota. Now that fall 2019 is upon us, change is evident everywhere. Changing leaves, changing weather, and changing schedules are the norm. Let’s remember that this is a perfect time to touch base with your local high schools and colleges and to connect with their counselors and career guidance staff. Find out if there are career days coming up or professional development classes that you can visit. Invest in students as you get to know them – your impact on them can be informative and life-changing. Perhaps you are planning for future changes in your own organization and may need a funeral director, manager, owner, or board member of your state organization. Your area schools are an excellent resource to be tapped. MFDA will again be exhibiting at the MN School Counselors Association Conference in 2020, along with University of MN Mortuary Science personnel. We were pleasantly surprised at the response we received this past year, and feel it is more than worthwhile to be there again.
MFDA also sent representatives to the Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC. While there MFDA board members met with a variety of elected officials regarding legislation that pertains to body donation and the importance uniformity of care following the death of our veterans who so generously risked their lives to ensure our freedoms in the United States. Through these meetings we were able to be your voice for honoring our veterans. District Meetings began in September. Not only is this a great time for you to earn some extra CEUs but also a wonderful time to network with others in our industry. MFDA and the Sapphyre Group have together developed helpful and informative sessions for your District. I encourage you to attend. The session includes OSHA updates as well as speakers representing Funeral Directors Life, Federated Insurance, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota State Representative from your District, MFDA’s Lobbyist Joe Sellwood, the University of Minnesota’s Mortuary Science Program, and a local District meeting with your elected district representative.
Coming up this fall is the National Funeral Directors Association Convention in Chicago. This is another terrific opportunity to network with other professionals from around not only the country, but also the world. I look forward to learning and brainstorming with others in our profession ways to reach the younger generation and expand the funeral industry as it faces change. I hope to see many of you there. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you are there and introduce yourself. Fall also includes a time of thanksgiving. I want to be sure to express my thanks to all of you for supporting MFDA and being the heartbeat behind the funeral profession. I hope you are able to use this season of change to take time to reflect on what you have accomplished in the past year and to remember what a huge blessing you are to those you have served. Blessings, Christopher L. Jacobson 2019-20 MFDA President
I want to be sure to express my thanks to all of you for supporting MFDA and being the heartbeat behind the funeral profession. I hope you are able to use this season of change to take time to reflect on what you have accomplished in the past year and to remember what a huge blessing you are to those you have served.
Want to renew your 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 mtufto@mnfuneral.org
4 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
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Executive Director’s Report By Darlyne Erickson. CAE
I always look forward to fall with a bit of trepidation (uncertain agitation) and excitement (yeah)! I always look forward to fall with a bit of trepidation (uncertain agitation) and excitement (yeah)! So here we are, right in the midst of things! We have four district meetings completed, which included eight districts and 92 people. Four more to go, and by the time you read this we would have covered the southern part of the state. The number of miles driven by not only Sue and me, but all of the presenters that have agreed to speak to our members, is a lot. The following organizations have taken the time and effort to send representatives and for this we are all grateful! • Funeral Directors Life Insurance • Federated Insurance • Minnesota Department of Health Mortuary Science Section • Joe Sellwood – Cook-Cook Girard / Lobbyist
• University of MN Program of Mortuary Science • Jessica Stern – ADA Requirements for deaf/deafblind/hard of hearing a communities • Minnesota Lion’s Eye Bank • LifeSource • Minnesota Department of Vital Records The things I enjoy the most about these meetings are the conversations and camaraderie that I experience and see all around me. A lot of laughter and good natured “needling” goes on, even amongst competitors. It makes me smile! Finally, I am very grateful for the support I experience, not only from my staff (Miki, Sue, Kathy and Amy), but from the Board of Directors that have stepped up to volunteer to serve their profession. I’ve been in the association management world for close to 30 years and have experienced a wide variety of boards and the individuals whom serve. I will be
honest, it’s not always pretty. Personalities and opinions can create all types of chaos, confusion, turmoil and/or madness. HOWEVER, I will say that over the last several years I have witnessed more cooperation than chaos, more agreement than turmoil and more laughter than silence. Yes, differences of opinion, but the individuals that have stepped up have shown that they care and are both ethical and professional in their commitment to funeral service. For this I am grateful! For those of you who plan on attending the NFDA International Convention & Expo in Chicago, October 27-30, know that there are currently 43 individuals attending from Minnesota, and I’m certain we’ll have quite a few more. I was recently at the NFDA offices in Milwaukee and witnessed all the preparation they go through for this event. It’s pretty awesome…hope to see you there! Darlyne Erickson, CAE
The number of miles driven by not only Sue and me, but all of the presenters that have agreed to speak to our members, is a lot. Certified Celebrant Training
InSight staff, including Glenda Stansbury, worked with the Celebrant class over two days in September.
6 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
Insight’s Certified Celebrant Training was hosted by MFDA in September in Plymouth with 20 attendees
Legislative Update By Joe Sellwood, Cook Girard Associates
This fall has been a wonderful time to travel to district meetings around the state and meet with funeral directors. District meetings are an invaluable opportunity to gather information and hear what’s working and what potentially could change. One of the overarching themes is a concern over the current and future workforce of the funeral service industry. With the workforce as a main priority that the MFDA legislative committee is looking to address, it needs to be crafted carefully, with intended and unintended consequences considered, both short-term and long-term. There
are a few proposals at the legislature that could potentially be considered by legislators. MFDA is currently evaluating and considering input regarding the EMTs permitted to make removals legislation (HF2866, Huot), the nonlicensed personnel permitted to arrange and supervise funerals legislation (HF2309, Noor/SF697, Koran) from the Institute for Justice, and MFDA’s own license reciprocity bill (HF1113, Huot/SF1411, Lang) which would make it easier for funeral directors from other states to work in Minnesota.
2020 session to progress forward. It remains to be seen whether or not any action will be taken, with a politically divided legislature and upcoming election, there may be a lack of movement on many issues – though it is very important to be extremely thoughtful on these critical licensure issues, and we are thankful for all of the input from MFDA and non-MFDA members. Cook Girard Associates will continue to keep MFDA and its members up to date on all things impacting the important work of funeral service in Minnesota.
These proposals, introduced during the 2019 session, are still available for the
With the workforce as a main priority that the MFDA legislative committee is looking to address, it needs to be crafted carefully, with intended and unintended consequences considered, both short-term and long-term.
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U of M Mortuary Science Update By Michael LuBrant, Program Director
Fall season has finally arrived, and all of us here in the Program of Mortuary Science are energized by the work that comes with the start of a new academic year. Fall also means I once again have the opportunity to travel across Minnesota and participate in the annual MFDA District Meetings. It’s always great to meet with attendees, give a Program update presentation, and share materials that promote both a career in funeral service, and also our Program here at the U. It is my hope that I will be able to see you at these important meetings as I travel the state over the next two months. I am pleased to share with you news that we recently welcomed an incoming class of 28 students into our program. As is typically the case, the majority of our new students are from Minnesota (17). We also welcomed students from Wisconsin (4), Iowa (3), Michigan (2), South Dakota (1), and New Jersey (1). With respect to enrollment by gender, the proportion of female students in our Program continues to increase: This year, 22 (79%) members of the incoming class are women. Of note, nationally approximately two-thirds of all new mortuary science students
8 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
are women. This trend will likely continue as more women pursue higher education, and fewer men enroll in funeral service education programs overall. Speaking of the start of classes, we were very excited to have a special guest with us for New Student Orientation Day. As you may have heard, the University has a new President: Joan Gabel. Program alumnus and University Regent Thomas Anderson extended an invitation to President Gabel to join us for orientation, and she graciously accepted the offer! Significantly, President Gabel took time to speak with the incoming class about the importance of the work they will do in funeral service, sharing an example of how a funeral director (and Program alumnus) in her hometown recently cared for her family at their time of loss. President Gabel also actively participated in a panel discussion in which professional colleagues answered students’ questions. The day ended with a trolley bus tour of campus and downtown Minneapolis, followed by an “after-glow” meet-and-greet at Surly Brewing company. A great time was had by all!
Another important piece of news I want to share with you concerns updates to our Program’s website, and new opportunities to post jobs and meet with students seeking employment. We recently created an on-line jobposting form, so that employers can easily submit information for jobs they would like to have placed on our website. The formatting for postings is now standardized, allowing for greater ease both when submitting, and searching, information related to job opportunities. Here is a link to the website, where you can find more information: https://med. umn.edu/mortuaryscience/professionalresources
ABOVE LEFT – Student Leaders welcome members of the incoming Mortuary Science class. They answered new student questions with no faculty in the room (Here’s the real scoop)! • ABOVE RIGHT – Program Partners welcome new students! We had a special guest with us - U of M President Joan Gabel! From L - R: Jeff Hartquist; Melinda DeVries; Brian Dingmann, Trista Sharkey (All Advisory Board Members); Catherine Lloyd, Kim Ruberg (MN DOH, Mortuary Science Section), Donna Spannaus Martin (Advisory Board); Tom Anderson (Program Alumnus; U of M Regent); U of M President Joan Gabel; Tim Koch (Advisory Board).
We continue to explore new ways of and schedule a meeting appointment. when we attend career fairs is: “What is facilitating opportunities for employers Opportunities to schedule meetings a funeral?” followed by “What is and students to meet and discuss job remotely, via “teleconferencing,” (using Mortuary Science?” opportunities. Feedback from previous Zoom meeting software technology) If we are to be successful in meeting Company information shown here events is for E&M accounting records It may not be whatare appears in theavailable. publication. For more information, networking indicated a only. desire also Sign & Return Proof To: E&Mworkforce Consulting, Inc. our current and future needs, Please contact the association directly to confirm the accuracy of your company business information. for more of a “customized” meeting please contact our Program office at 1107 Hazeltine Blvd, Suite #350 Chaska, MN 55318 we need all•funeral directors to be as Advertiser opportunityMAS – oneCommunications in which the goal is to 612-624-6464, or e-mail us at mortsci@ proactive as possible in promoting Attention Mary Reeves Fax: 1-952-448-9928 / Phone: 1-800-572-0011 connect employers with students who umn.edu. both our Program and the profession Address 465 Poplar St. Please respond within 5 business days have similar work goals, and which takes And in case you hadn’t heard, we of funeral service to prospective future Mankato, MN 56001 into consideration students’ desired By signing below, I (advertising company) am approving my ad as Please is or with changes and Iour represent and warrant that recently created recruitment brochure funeral directors. contact Phone geographic507-387-6543 this advertisement placed with all content, text, images, pictures and/or logos do not infringe on any other person’s work location following racks that present information about Program office for more information, copyright, trademark, rights of literary property, and intellectual property, nor do they violate the rightsand of privacy of, or libel Fax graduation.507-345-3816 In response to this feedback, other for persons. I agree toin indemnify and harmless E&M Consulting,racks. Inc. against any claims, judgments, court costs, exploring opportunities a career tohold request brochure The brochure Email we are now marypreeves@mascommunications.net attorney’s fees and other expenses arising from any alleged or actual breach of this warranty. accepting reservations funeral service. Many colleagues are racks are available free of charge. Ad Sizefor on-campus 1/4employer Page – student *Colorsinintheir the ad are for representational purposes only and will be brighter and more exact in the final product. Also now placing these racks funeral Color meeting opportunities Full Color on Tuesdays and I wishouryou allare a limited very and happy artwork and photos shown in the ad areIn notclosing, exact, only because printers once printed, the quality will home foyer areas, and also bringing Designer be much improved. PAST Fall season, and invite you to contact Thursdays from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM in them to their local high school guidance me with any questions you may have. the Program’s Conference Room (Acounselors. We have received several We look forward to seeing you soon, 275-4 Mayo Building). Employers who calls from prospective students who tell and, as always: Go Gophers! would like to come to campus are invited us they learned about our Program when to send us information about their job Sincerely, they picked up a brochure at a visitation / opportunity/ies, and schedule a visit. Michael LuBrant funeral service. In turn, we will make this information Program Director Remember: The most common question available to our students, who will be we receive from prospective students advised to contact the employer directly
2019 Minnesota Funeral Directors Association Membership Directory
www.mnfuneral.org 9
NFDA Commends Funeral Homes for Excellence in Service to Families and Communities The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is pleased to announce that 160 funeral homes have earned a 2019 Pursuit of Excellence Award. This award is presented by NFDA annually to firms that have demonstrated a commitment to raising the bar on funeral service excellence by adhering to strict ethical and professional standards and providing outstanding service to families and communities. To earn an NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, a funeral home must demonstrate proficiency in key areas of funeral service, including compliance with state and federal regulations; staff participation in ongoing education and professional development; offering outstanding programs and resources to bereaved families; maintaining an active level of involvement in the community; active participation in and service to the funeral service profession; and promoting funeral home services through a variety of marketing, advertising and public relations programs. Participants are also required to adhere to a Pledge of Ethical Practices. NFDA will recognize the 2019 Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients on October 28 during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony, which will take place during the 2019 NFDA International Convention & Expo, October 27 through 30 in Chicago. All funeral homes that have earned a Pursuit of Excellence Award are invited to attend. Information about the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence program can be found by visiting www.nfda.org/ pursuitofexcellence. Registration and application materials for 2020 will be available in lateOctober 2019. Best of the Best Award Recipients All Pursuit of Excellence applicants submitted an essay describing the development and execution of a program or service that had a positive impact on the families they serve or their community, qualifying them for the Best of the Best Award, which recognizes the most novel and innovative programs and services in the profession. Continued on page 11‌
10 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
LifeSource Update Did someone mention CEU’s? presentation from Hennepin County’s Chief Medical Examiner, Andrew Baker, and many more. To view the full agenda, speakers and more, please view the DLS website https://www.life-source.org/ events/donate-life-symposium/ Do I need to register? In just under a month we’ll come together with hundreds of colleagues from across the Upper Midwest for our 10th SPARK Donate Life Symposium. This will be an informative and inspiring day which we are excited to open up to our colleagues in funeral service. Here’s a brief update about what’s happening and answers to questions we’ve been hearing. How many people are expected at the DLS? We are expecting 700+ people to join us for the DLS this year at our new location at Mystic Lake Center! We are very excited that the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association with will joining us this year as an exhibitor. Is there an agenda available? Yes! Many topics which are extremely relevant to funeral service such as self-care for health care professionals, bridging cultural communication, a
Yes, Please! We welcome you to register as soon as possible to ensure you are able to access the education sessions you wish to attend. Are there Funeral Director CEU’s Available? The Minnesota Department of Health has granted 6.5 CEU’s of General CEU credits. Registration Cost: $150.00 per person, which includes the plenary sessions, general sessions, continental breakfast, refreshment breaks, lunch, and post symposium reception. Donation and the Funeral Director – The Donation Process, Recovery, Embalming and Reconstructive Techniques. In our ever-changing world, the need for organ, eye & tissue donation is at an all-time high. Have you wanted to know who, what, when, where and the why ‘s of donation? Would you like the chance to meet one on one, or in a small class session to have your questions
answered? This is an opportunity that we would like to offer to you. We have worked with the Minnesota Department of Health to have this class approved for our funeral director partners. CEU’s: 3.0 MN CEU’s in the Body Prep Category Registration Cost: At gratis to our funeral director colleagues. We at LifeSource understand and value the relationship with our funeral director partners. We care about the relationships we have with each of you and how we can jointly serve families to support their decisions. Date and location: October 23-25, 2019 Mystic Lake Center, Prior Lake Registration information: Please reach out to LifeSource for this opportunity. Melinda Devries Lead Partner Liaison MDevries@life-source.org 651-442-0056 or Kelley Romanowski Partner Support Liaison Kromanowski@life-source.org 612-322-4303
NFDA Commends continued… Essays were judged on the uniqueness of the idea on a national and international level, quality of implementation, benefit to those served, benefit to the funeral home and how easily the idea could be replicated or modified by another funeral home. As they reviewed the essays to select the Best of the Best honorees, the Pursuit of Excellence Task Force noted a number of programs and services that were very well-executed and yielded positive results for the community served by the funeral home.
The Task Force recognized Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria, Minn. with a special Certificate of Honorable Mention.
2019 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award Recipients (Previously inducted into the NFDA Hall of Excellence ) Below are the Minnesota funeral home recipients; MFDA members are in bold: • Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria • Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel, Hutchinson
• Johnson-Hagglund Funeral and Cremation Service, Litchfield • Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel, Glencoe • Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge • Pedersen Funeral & Cremation Service, Morris. • Worlein Funeral Home, Austin View the full list of award recipients at www.nfda.org/pursuitofexcellence
www.mnfuneral.org 11
US Postal Service Updates Process for Shipping Cremated Remains New postal requirements for the shipping of cremated remains go into effect September 30, according to the latest revision to the United States Postal Services’ “How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains” pamphlet. According to T. Scott Gilligan, NFDA general counsel, the most significant change is that USPS will now require Label 139 to be applied to all sides of the shipping box, including the top and bottom. Currently, it is simply a recommendation, not a requirement. Label 139 is available at the Postal Store on www.USPS.com or can be obtained at a retail post office location.
Service utilizing either a USPS-produced or customer-supplied shipping package. If using a customer-supplied shipping package, it must be strong and durable to withstand transportation handling. When mailing cremated remains internationally, the primary inner container must be an urn. Shippers must pack the remains in a primary inner sift-proof container, cushioning material and an outer shipping package. USPS notes that a sift proof container is any vessel that does not allow loose powder to leak or sift out. There are many options available to store
cremated remains – from simple wooden boxes to decorative urns. For convenience, USPS has a Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains box that may be used for domestic or international shipments using the applicable Priority Mail Express service. The box can be ordered online and is available as part of a kit. Before closing and sealing the shipping package, USPS recommends adding a slip of paper with both the sender’s and recipient’s address and contact information inside the package. This extra step will help to identify the sender and receiver in the event the shipping label becomes detached. Download the complete “How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains” brochure at www.about.usps.com/ publications/pub139.pdf
The new requirements are designed to make the package more visible, in turn making the mailing process more secure.
This article originally appeared in the September 12, 2019, issue of the Memorial Business Journal.
For both domestic and international shipping, cremated remains must be shipped by USPS Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail Express International
Changes to St. Cloud Hospital Policy St. Cloud Hospital is implementing a change in their procedure for picking up dead bodies. These changes went into effect Tuesday, August 27 and has asked us to relay this information to funeral directors. Contact information is listed below. • Call the Urology Tech at 320-251-2700 ext 59415 when you are approximately 10-15 minutes from St. Cloud Hospital. (This is new.) • Do not stop in the Patient Access (Admissions) Department. (This is new.) You will not be signing-out the body.
12 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
• Drive to back door garage. (Keep left of the loading dock.) • Press buzzer located to the right. • Enter via side entry door, open overhead door, back in and close overhead door. (Vehicle must be shut off once inside.) • Please wait for the Urology Tech to arrive so that he can escort you to the Morgue or the patient unit. (This is new.) • The Urology Tech will escort you back to your vehicle after they have received the Certificate of Removal.
Hopefully this process will be more efficient for you and save you some time. The hospital welcomes any questions or comments that you may have. Please contact: Jennifer Seifert Director Patient Care Support P: 320-255-5611 E: seifertj@centracare.com
MEET THE 2019 LE ADERSHIP ACADEMY GR ADUATES
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY SPONSORED BY: K ELCO SUPPLY, MFDA SERVICE CORPOR ATION & MFDA
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 relevant for their profession, as well as gain important insights into the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association.
www.mnfuneral.org 13
MFDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PROGR AM INFORMATION • INTRODUCTION
About MFDA Leadership Academy
2019 Leadership Academy Graduation
The Leadership Academy teaches the skills that will enhance both your Funeral Home and its impact in your community.
I am pleased to say that the Leadership Academy initiative that was born in 2014 at a Strategic Planning session of the MFDA board has graduated the fourth class of up and coming leaders! I want to thank Alicia Carr at Kelco Supply, the MFDA Service Corporation Board, and the MFDA Board for believing enough in this program to support it financially. I am also pleased that not only the students of this program, but more importantly their firm owners recognized the value. We hear a lot about work force issues and the difficulty in finding the right candidates for the job. However, once you hire someone, it’s equally as important to support them with opportunity to grow professionally and personally.
You will learn strategies for personal growth and organizational development applicable to your profession. You will build lasting relationships with classmates, fellow leaders in your professional community. Your classmates today will be the people you call on tomorrow for advice, support, or to share a humorous moment. You will become a part of the MFDA legacy of leadership. Leadership academy alumni will participate in building the strong tradition of Funeral Service and advancing the mission of MFDA.
Goals of the MFDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY As a member of the MFDA Leadership Academy you will: • Bring out the best in yourself and your team members. • Make consistently sound, excellent decisions as a business leader and as a professional. • Build strong, trust-based relationships with consumers, colleagues, and vendors. • Participate in MFDA leadership opportunities that will allow you to build on the legacy of past strengths, with a clear vision for the future.
Thank you to all the participants of this year’s program. Going forward MFDA’s goal is to continue the connection with all the graduates, generating opportunities that are meaningful that will benefit both the graduate and the association. The Leadership Academy began as an idea, and proof that it has come to a positive fruition can be seen in the pages of this brochure. Again, a big thank you to the MFDA Board, MFDA Service Corporation Board, Kelco Supply, and to the individuals who became the first and second class of the academy and the funeral homes who encouraged them to participate. Thanks also to the Districts who provided financial support and most importantly the two gentlemen who provided the framework for the Academy, Bruce Matza and Chad Weinstein. I look forward to what the future will bring and how we continue re-shape, tweak and improve the educational experience for future leaders. I now introduce you to the fourth-year graduates of MFDA’s Leadership Academy.
• Gain the visibility and knowledge to prepare you for opportunities in MFDA leadership.
Interested in the next Leadership Academy session? For more information, visit mnfuneral.org, or contact Darlyne Erickson at (763) 416-0124 or darlyne@mnfuneral.org.
Darlyne Erickson, CAE MFDA Executive Director
The Leadership Academy began as an idea, and proof that it has come to a positive fruition can be seen in the following pages. 14 MFDA Bulletin FALL 2019 14 Bulletin • •SPRING 2018
MEET THE 2019 MFDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GR ADUATES
Mike Berner
Melinda DeVries
Company: Kelco Supply Company
How do you consider yourself successful? I consider my professional accomplishments as well as my role as a father and husband. Combined, they play a valuable part in my achievements.
What are the biggest issues facing Minnesota funeral service? Rising cremation rates and nontraditional funeral service and the impact it has on the profession as a whole.
Favorite leadership quote: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams
Company: LifeSource – Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
What have you learned throughout the MFDA Leadership Academy?
What inspired you to work in an industry related to Funeral Service?
The value and power of trying new approaches and to think outside of the conventional box. The traditional way is not always the best way and learning from others is extremely beneficial.
When I was young, my grandmother insisted I see my great-grandmother in her casket. She took my hand and walked me up to the front of the chapel. Reluctantly, I looked down at her and immediately started making changes to her appearance; swooping a few hairs to the side, adjusting the neckline on her purple dress, and making creases in her sleeves so they laid just right. From that moment on, that is all I ever wanted to be.
Closing thought about the MFDA Leadership Academy? Networking with individuals in a similar profession and learning and growing with them can be very powerful resource for future relationships.
Families are choosing a minimal way to care for their loved one, few people value the many options available.
Favorite leadership quote: “If you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.” - Chris Street
What have you learned throughout the MFDA Leadership Academy? Engaging your team/coworkers to what they are best at and how know how best they learn.
How do you consider yourself successful?
Agree or disagree it’s about how much your team is committed.
Letting go of the immediate expectation that comes to mind, completing the task with a positive outlook and not needing to be validated knowing I have done my best. Taking only what is needed and leaving the rest behind. Admitting to failures without excuses while learning from it.
Have the right people involved.
What are the biggest issues facing Minnesota funeral service? Staffing shortages. Funeral directors are frequently asking me if I know anyone looking for a job, rural or metro, it does not matter, nor does it matter which state. Finding the right candidate use to be the preference, now finding someone takes precedent.
Setting clear expectations and boundaries. Figure out the long term/short term benefits, how will this change your steps?
Closing thought about the MFDA Leadership Academy? The Leadership Academy was a great investment of my time and LifeSource’s money. Every session there were numerous take aways, ones that can be easily implemented into daily life. Talk less and really listen.
www.mnfuneral.org 15 15 www.mnfuneral.org
MEET THE 2019 MFDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GR ADUATES
Darlyne Erickson
Alexa Goetsch
Organization: Minnesota Funeral Directors Association
Funeral Home: Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels
What inspired you to work in an industry related to Funeral Service? Although I am not a funeral director, I certainly know a lot of them! Having worked with funeral service since 2007 as MFDA’s Executive Director, I have come to appreciate funeral service in a way that very few “laypersons” do. It has inspired me, as a spokesperson for the association, to spread the good word, supporting the profession that I have come to understand and respect.
How do you consider yourself successful? I succeed only when MFDA succeeds, and we are currently on an upward trajectory!
What are the biggest issues facing Minnesota funeral service? People’s perception, especially of the Gen Z, iGen, or Centennials who may not have experienced death in their lives and thus have no understanding of the importance of memorialization. The Cost of Leadership: Because poor leadership costs more than learning to lead well, it is important to invest not only in yourself, but in others as well.
16 MFDA Bulletin FALL 2019 16 Bulletin • •SPRING 2018
Favorite leadership quote: “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
What have you learned throughout the MFDA Leadership Academy? I learn something new every time I connect with funeral directors, both individually and collectively. The Academy has allowed me the opportunity to do that on a new level.
What inspired you to become a Funeral Director? I have always had a passion for helping others. The funeral industry was introduced to me during my undergraduate while studying biology. It provided a combination of my science degree with my passion for helping others and I knew right away that becoming a Funeral Director was for me.
How do you consider yourself successful? I consider myself successful when I meet the goals that I have set for myself while learning, growing, and making mistakes along the way. At the end of the day, if I better the lives of others and if I take away a lesson that betters myself, I consider myself successful.
What are the biggest issues facing Minnesota funeral service? The biggest issue facing MN funeral service, in my opinion, is the choice of non-memorialization. We live in a society that is extremely busy and always focused on what’s next. As a Funeral Director it is important to focus on the “now”- the loss, the grief, and the importance of a funeral ritual and memorialization.
Favorite leadership quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
What have you learned throughout the MFDA Leadership Academy? The MFDA Leadership Academy has taught me how to find my sense of purpose and how the power of that purpose can bring value not only to myself, but to the lives of others around me. The academy focuses on collaboration with others and how to become a better listener while recognizing everyone’s differences & behaviors and how to motivate & engage them as a leader. Bruce Matza and Chad Weinstein have created an extremely meaningful program and I consider them both, along with the other class participants, my inspiring mentors.
Closing thought about the MFDA Leadership Academy? The MFDA Leadership Academy successfully builds effective leaders that have learned how to contribute positive changes and efficiencies into the funeral industry and their individual communities.
MEET THE 2019 MFDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GR ADUATES
Jacob Kohl
Kelley Romanowski
Funeral Home: Bierman Funeral Home & Crematory
Company: LifeSource – Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
What inspired you to become a Funeral Director? Growing up around the business and seeing the work my grandpa, dad, and uncle were doing for families and the community is one of the main reasons I chose to become a funeral director. I have always wanted to be in a field where I am helping people and being able to do so during one of the toughest times in people’s lives was a very rewarding feeling for me.
How do you consider yourself successful? I would consider myself successful knowing that I have put 100% effort into a day and knowing that there was nothing else I could do to help a family. Knowing that a family has had all their needs taken care of and that they are more than satisfied.
What are the biggest issues facing Minnesota funeral service? Some of the biggest issues that we are going to face are, a workforce shortage, getting funeral directors to work outside the metro, and having people willing to be on call more frequently.
Favorite leadership quote: “Leadership is about being of service to others, not being served by others. Be a mentor, not a boss.” - Unknown
What have you learned throughout the MFDA Leadership Academy? I have learned many different leadership tactics and ways to better myself as a leader. I believe the academy will be beneficial in the long run when it comes to the issues we are going to be facing in funeral service. There are tactics we are learning that will help us combat the issues in the future.
Closing thought about the MFDA Leadership Academy? The MFDA Leadership Academy has been very beneficial for me as I aspire to run my family’s funeral home one day. I hope that I can take what I am learning from the Academy and use it with future colleagues and employees.
What inspired you to become a Funeral Director? I had always wanted to be in a caring profession. Knowing that I could have the potential to help people on one of the worst days of their lives was a major determining factor in making my decision. Having the opportunity to walk alongside a family through their journey was a meaningful draw. Caring for people and working with other funeral professionals still inspires me to this day.
How do you consider yourself successful? Success can be described as an accomplishment for a purpose. Using this as a guide, I feel that I have had a fantastic opportunity in meeting the needs of fellow funeral service professionals and am very grateful that I do. I feel successful that I have made many connections and will continue to strive in supporting my colleagues.
What are the biggest issues facing Minnesota funeral service? Workforce shortages are a large factor in Minnesota funeral service. This has an enormous impact on burnout and licensees leaving the profession, not to mention embalmings becoming increasingly more difficult due to prolonged illness, medical interventions, and other.
Favorite leadership quote: “To make the public sentiment on the side of all that is just and true and noble is the highest use of life. “ – Lucy Stone
What have you learned throughout the MFDA Leadership Academy? This experience has provided me with many valuable tools for communication, self-awareness, managing expectations, and working with groups. Learning about yourself, your personality traits, leadership styles and communication preferences is crucial when trying to work with others to be an effective leader.
Closing thought about the MFDA Leadership Academy? The MFDA Leadership Academy has enhanced my abilities and provided me an opportunity to take a closer look at my interactions with others- verbally, nonverbally, written and visually. These skills with further utilization will further develop and enrich relationships with all that I have the opportunity to meet. I would recommend the MFDA Leadership Academy to anyone who wishes to better understand themselves and how to interrelate with others.
www.mnfuneral.org 17 17 www.mnfuneral.org
MEET THE 2019 MFDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GR ADUATES
Eric Warmka Funeral Home: Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes & Cremation Services What inspired you to become a Funeral Director? My inspiration came from my mentor and first boss, Bill Carlin. He showed me what emotional affects a good funeral director can have on a family. Seeing how one can truly change someone’s lives in a positive way while they are going through such a difficult process truly inspired me to pursue this profession. I use so much of what I learned from him to this day.
Favorite leadership quote: “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” - Ronald Reagan
What have you learned throughout the MFDA Leadership Academy?
I consider myself successful in the fact that I have surrounded myself with people that I respect and admire. I am blessed with an amazing family, a job that I honestly love, and talented co-workers who challenge me to be better every day. I couldn’t ask for anything more, and I feel that is what makes me successful.
The lessons learned through the MFDA Leadership Academy are too numerous to list. I feel that my eyes have been opened in so many regards as to how I conduct myself in my job. I feel the principal lesson learned throughout the program strongly revolves around being a better mentor and leader to those around me. If I can help challenge one of us do better, we all will do better, and I feel that I have found that to be my biggest take away from the program.
What are the biggest issues
Closing thought about the MFDA Leadership Academy?
How do you consider yourself successful?
facing Minnesota funeral service? I feel that one of the biggest issues we face is a lack of creativity and imagination in the profession. I feel that many individuals hang on to a mentality that we have to continue doing things, “the way it used to be”. We refuse to look for new and innovative ways to celebrate someone’s life. What was good for families 25 years ago is truly not the same as what families want today, yet we hold strong not to deviate. Many people out there want change, and it is our jobs and our responsibilities to figure out what those changes are going to be for the upcoming generations we serve.
18 MFDA MFDA Bulletin Bulletin• •SPRING FALL 2019 18 2018
The MFDA Leadership Academy has enhanced my abilities and provided me an opportunity to take a closer look at my interactions with others – verbally, nonverbally, written and visually. These skills with further utilization will further develop and enrich relationships with all that I have the opportunity to meet. I would recommend the MFDA Leadership Academy to anyone who wishes to better understand themselves and how to interrelate with others.
2019 MFDA Leadership Academy Graduates in Their Own Words “The MFDA Leadership Academy has enhanced my abilities and provided me an opportunity to take a closer look at my interactions with others – verbally, nonverbally, written and visually.” - Eric Warmka “The MFDA Leadership Academy has been very beneficial for me as I aspire to run my family’s funeral home one day. I hope that I can take what I am learning from the Academy and use it with future colleagues and employees.” - Jacob Kohl “The MFDA Leadership Academy successfully builds effective leaders that have learned how to contribute positive changes and efficiencies into the funeral industry and their individual communities.” - Alexa Goetsch “I would recommend the MFDA Leadership Academy to anyone who wishes to better understand themselves and how to interrelate with others.” - Kelley Romanowski “Networking with individuals in a similar profession and learning and growing with them can be very powerful resource for future relationships.” - Mike Berner
MEET THE 2
MEET THE MFDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY INSTRUCTORS
Bruce R. Matza
2016-17 LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GRADUATES
Company: Innovations in Management
Bruce R. Matza brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, staff & customer retention and customer service. He has over 35 years of experience with such prominent brands as Neiman Marcus, where he was a senior executive for 20 years. He has advised numerous organizations including Walt Disney World, Harrods of London, Marriott, Motorola, Michigan and Minnesota Funeral Directors Associations, Texas Association of REALTORS®, National Retail Federation, National Restaurant Association, Austin Board of REALTORS®, California & Minnesota Society of Association Executives, US Chamber of Commerce, United Way Worldwide and many others. Bruce was educated at University of Florida where he was president of the Florida Gator Bands and circulation manager of the university newspaper. He graduated with a commission as an officer in the United States Air Force.
He is author and creator of Becoming a Customer Service Star, initially designed for Walt Disney World. It is in a 3rd edition published by HRD Quarterly and to date has sold over 250,000 copies to organizations interested in the enhancement of their customer satisfaction initiatives. Bruce is not only a well-known speaker, seminar leader and facilitator; he also serves as a leadership mentor to physicians and executives. Bruce served honorably for six years as an officer in the U.S. Air force was a Senior Executive for Neiman Marcus, involved in Human Resources, Education & Development and Store Management. Bruce has been featured in many articles and stories in addition to being a guest on NBC’s Today Show.
Chad (Charles) Weinstein, Ph.D. Company: Ethical Leaders in Action
Charles A. “Chad” Weinstein is president of Ethical Leaders in Action, LLC., and author of Thinking Aloud: Reflections on Ethical Leadership. Ethical Leaders in Action (ELA) provides leadership development, education, and strategic consulting services to public safety, health care, and business organizations. Weinstein is a frequent presenter at conferences, seminars, and events. He is community faculty member of the Metropolitan State University School of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. Weinstein also serves on Mixed Blood Theatre’s Board of Directors. Weinstein’s formal education is in ethics, but his experience – and orientation – is as a business practitioner. He recognized early on that while most of business ethics is concerned with constraining bad behavior, its failures in that respect continue to make headlines. He believes that our ethical traditions are much broader, teaching and urging us to work and live in ways that are both meaningful and productive. Ethical leadership is the critical factor. Weinstein’s work is primarily oriented toward helping leaders foster that broader sense of ethics and effectiveness in their work, in pursuit of ELA’s mission: Empower ethical leaders to achieve extraordinary results. Weinstein has been a consultant and manager for over 25 years. Prior to forming Ethical Leaders in Action, Weinstein founded and led
the Hill Center for Ethical Business Leadership, a division of the James J. Hill Reference Library. In that capacity, Weinstein developed and implemented contemporary approaches to leadership development, using classical concepts drawn from multiple ethical traditions. Earlier in his career, Weinstein led engagements and client relationships in the areas of market and technology research and information management, most recently as Vice President of Client Services at Guideline, Inc. Weinstein has led teams and business units, serving clients in many industries, including: • Public Safety (fire, law enforcement, and EMS agencies) • Health care, including sub-acute, long-term, and home-based care • Financial and professional services • Medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products • Automotive and heavy equipment manufacturing • Mining, energy, and mineral extraction Weinstein holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in ethics (philosophy) from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin. Learn more about the Ethical Leaders in Action and read Chad’s blog at ethinact.com.
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY www.mnfuneral.org 19 19 www.mnfuneral.org
Book Review: “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death” by Caitlin Doughty
By Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez, LLC
Like many felines, your Fluffy is a fussy eater. She only dines on the freshest food, and if it’s the flavor she doesn’t like today, she’ll starve before she’ll take a bite. There are some days, in fact, that you can’t get her to sample one morsel which, you’ll see after you’ve read “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs” by Caitlin Doughty, may be a very good thing. As a mortician, funeral home owner, and writer, Doughty gets a lot of questions about death and dying and some of them are from kids. She’s “willing to answer strange questions” with answers that are sometimes just as strange. What, for instance, would happen if you died while you were in space? Doughty answers with a few examples, saying that NASA doesn’t know – yet – but there are options, if that should ever happen. One of them is a long shot, but it’s a really cool possibility. Maybe your family has Grandma’s ashes sitting in the living room. How ever did a whole human body fit inside that little urn? It’s a matter of physics, in a way: the human body is mostly made of liquids and fats that will evaporate in a super-hot crematorium. What’s left are “cremated remains” in “a thrilling combo of calcium phosphates, carbonates, and minerals and salts.” Will your body make a mess when you die? Says Doughty, there’s a good probability but you shouldn’t be embarrassed. Funeral home workers are used to cleaning up body fluids and preventing further “leakage” and such, so no worries.
Learn what happens to the sibling when one conjoined twin dies. Read about why you can go ahead and make a face without worrying, but forget about eating popcorn before you’re cremated. Find out how American cemeteries differ from those in Germany, why you shouldn’t drink the water near a Civil War cemetery, and how you can become a plastic corpse in a traveling exhibit. And then take a seat. People die in homes all the time, “more homes than you probably realize.” One of them could be yours… The very first thing you need to know about “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?” is that the sub-title could be misleading: it’s absolutely not a book for anyone “tiny.” From tiny mortals, not for. It would be easy to think otherwise: the questions are kiddish, author Caitlin Doughty’s answers are nudge-and-wink funny, and lighthearted drawings accompany each chapter. Read a little, though, and you’ll see that this book is really more for young adults, at least, and grown-ups, for sure, especially those who love dark laughs. Yes, there’s serious science here, but also cultural lessons in death and dying, a little history, and a touch of gruesomeness wrapped in that shroud of sharp, witty humor. Readers who wonder what’ll happen to their mortal remains will find this book dead-on. If you’ve got a streak of Goth in you, you can’t miss it. When you want something different, read “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?” and get food for thought.
Caitlin Doughty, author Photo by Mara Zehler
Readers who wonder what’ll happen to their mortal remains will find this book dead-on. If you’ve got a streak of Goth in you, you can’t miss it. When you want something different, read “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?” and get food for thought. 20 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
Remembering A Life: Social Media Made Easy Many funeral homes engage with their community on social media. As part of NFDA’s Remembering A Life consumer outreach and education initiative, we’ve created ready-to-use social media posts for you to use on your funeral home’s Facebook and Instagram pages! These posts will help you educate your community about the value of funerals and the unique expertise only you can offer. You can find the posts on the NFDA Website (member login required). The messages cover a wide range of topics including planning a meaningful service, what to do after the funeral, service options, benefits for veterans, grief and more.
The posts are meant to catch the eye of people in your community and position your staff and your funeral homes as your community’s expert on meaningful funerals.
If you need help, be sure to check out A Guide to Using Remembering A Life Social Media Images, which can be found along with the social media posts when you visit the link above.
When posting these images on your funeral home’s Facebook or Instagram account, include a tailored message about your business and the services you provide.
You may also want to follow Remembering A Life’s social media pages and share our posts to your funeral home’s social media pages. You can find us on:
After you publish your message, remember to like, comment and respond to individuals who interact with the post.
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ RememberingALife • Twitter: www.twitter.com/ rememberalife • Instagram: www.instagram.com/ rememberingalife Questions: Just give NFDA a call (800228-6332) and we’ll help your funeral home get social!
New social media graphics will be added throughout the year, so look for fresh offerings in the future.
For even more Remembering A Life community outreach tools, visit www.nfda.org/rememberingalife.
2020 MFDA BULLETIN ADVERTISING RATES Bulletin is published quarterly by Minnesota Funeral Directors Association. It mails directly to all MFDA members and is also available online for viewing. This publication features topics relevant to the funeral industry and is a great way to reach Minnesota funeral directors and staff. STYLE
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Rates listed are per issue. Printed quarterly - winter, spring, summer, fall 7046 East Fish Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311 Phone: (763) 416-0124 | Fax: (763) 416-0124 Email: info@mnfuneral.org | www.mnfuneral.org
www.mnfuneral.org 21
MFDA Allied Member News Passare® Announces Integration with Funeral Innovations Passare, Inc. is proud to announce its integration with Funeral Innovations, a leading provider of websites and digital marketing services in the funeral industry. “Funeral home customers are now able to send information such as the obituary, funeral service information, photos, and much more directly to their Funeral Innovations website,” said Passare CEO Jay Thomas. “With one click, funeral directors can create a new obituary page instantly, which saves time, reduces errors, and streamlines processes for our customers.” Passare is the funeral profession’s only funeral home collaboration software with integrated business management tools. Through Passare, funeral directors can connect and communicate with families and team members through a robust cloud-based case management platform that allows unlimited users, unlimited devices, 24/7 access to customer support, and now, the ability to update websites hosted by Funeral Innovations.
more time to do what they do best: helping families,” said Funeral Innovations Co-Founder Zack Garbow. “By integrating with Passare, our mutual clients can now enjoy a single point of entry for managing their cases while enjoying all the benefits of our best-in-class websites and digital marketing platform. That means they can build stronger relationships with the families they serve with little to no extra effort.” To learn more about Passare’s collaboration software with integrated case management and request a free demo, visit www.passare.com. For more information on Funeral Innovations call 303-437-9006 or sign up for a demo at https://funeralinnovations.com/demo.
“Our funeral home clients are always striving to save time and improve efficiency with their technology, leaving them
Funeral Directors Life Promotes Drew Seale to Vice President of Sales Operations Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company is proud to announce the recent promotion of Drew Seale to Vice President of Sales Operations. “As Funeral Directors Life grows and expands our service offerings to our clients, the need for leaders to take on new roles in the company has also increased,” said Kris Seale, President and CEO of Funeral Directors Life. “We are pleased to welcome Drew Seale to our executive management team. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his time with our company, and this promotion is very well deserved.” Drew started his career as a preplanning specialist for Funeral Directors Life, selling more than $1 million in his first 12 months in the field. He then returned to Abilene 22 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
has grown into a digital marketing juggernaut that is benefitting the company’s funeral home clients.”
to take over as Director of Sales Operations where he helped develop and implement new sales-related systems and social media programs for funeral homes. “Drew has done an excellent job leading the company’s sales operations area,” said Todd Carlson, Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Sales Officer. “Through his leadership, the sales operations team
“I am extremely honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve Funeral Directors Life in a Vice President role. God has blessed me with great mentors who have shaped me into the man that I am today,” said Drew. “With this new role, I want to create additional areas where we can help our funeral home clients grow and succeed in this rapidly changing marketplace.” Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company, based in Abilene, TX, is a leading provider of insurancefunded preneed funeral products and services.
MFDA Allied Member News Messenger Acquires Express Funeral Funding (EFF) Messenger, a leading provider in stationery, funeral service items and personalization solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Express Funeral Funding. “After careful consideration, we sought the opportunity to acquire one of the fastest growing companies in the funeral profession,” commented Kevin Keane, president of Messenger. “This will allow Messenger to broaden our existing product line and services to funeral homes and cemeteries, while providing innovative solutions for families during their most difficult time of need.” As the largest privately held and FASTEST. EASIEST.® insurance assignment funding company in the nation, Express Funeral Funding has been providing funeral homes and cemeteries the ultimate funding experience since 2002. “Our focus from the beginning was to be the best in the industry, not necessarily the biggest,” said Steve Calloway, president and co-founder of Express Funeral Funding. “We strongly believe this acquisition will provide our partnering funeral homes and cemeteries an even greater funding experience.” Both organizations remain dedicated to continually providing world-class solutions to funeral homes, cemeteries and their families.
“This is great for our customers. We are thrilled to have aligned with an organization which shares our same mission, to provide the funeral profession with unparalleled services,” explained Aaron Calloway, executive vice president and co-founder of Express Funeral Funding. “Our goal has always been to provide leadingedge solutions and total customer satisfaction to our funeral homes and cemeteries, and I am confident this acquisition will achieve this on a greater scale.” Express Funeral Funding utilized Midwest based investment bank Periculum Capital Company as advisor for the sale of the company. All sales and customer service inquiries will continue to be handled by the respective companies. To reach Messenger, please call 1.800.827.5151 or email messenger@messengerllc. com. To reach Express Funeral Funding, please call 1.812.949.9011 or email contact@expff.com. Messenger LLC, headquartered in Auburn, Indiana, was founded in 1913 by Frank Messenger who started in the religious calendar business and has since become the leading provider of stationery, funeral service items and personalization services. Focused on being a trusted partner to funeral professionals, Messenger delivers time saving solutions to increase customer satisfaction and add value.
Messenger provides quality product and technology solutions with quick lead times and exemplary service, an extensive line-up of well-known brands and licensed artists, exclusive partnerships and one of the most experienced and extensive sales teams in the funeral industry. For more information about Messenger, visit www.messengerllc.com or call 1.800.827.5151. Express Funeral Funding has been providing funeral homes and cemeteries nationwide the ultimate funding experience since 2002. Express Funeral Funding eliminates the challenges of working with insurance companies by limiting administration, providing immediate payment and advancing complete policy funds. For more information on Express Funeral Funding, please visit www.expressfuneralfunding.com, email contact@expff.com or call 812-949-9011.
Want to renew your membership? Visit mnfuneral.org and sign-in to your MFDA members-only account. Need your log-in info? Call Miki at 763-416-0124 or email mtufto@mnfuneral.org
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IN MEMORIAM Frank Duane Kerntz, Sr., Minnesota funeral director, age 71, of Ely, passed away on July 4. He was born on December 28, 1947, to Frank and Rose (Hren) Kerntz. He attended and graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1966. He married Rae Ann Froelich on June 22, 1974 and recently celebrated 45 years together and were blessed with three children; Frank Jr, Brian and Deanna. Frank was a proud Papa of his grandchildren: Olivia, Silas, Daxton and Brue. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed and appreciated the outdoors. Frank served in the US Army in Vietnam as a combat field medic from 19701972. Frank was a lifelong member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Men’s Bible Group, the Ely American Legion and the Ely VFW. Frank attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science. He then joined Kerntz Funeral Home and along with his brother Terry they purchased the business from their brother Jim and was a co-owner until his death. He is survived by his wife: Rae Ann, children: Brian (Nicole) Kerntz, daughter: Deanna (Pete) Stingle, (4) grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews that he loved tremendously and cherished cousins and very special sister-in-laws and brother in-laws. He is proceeded in death by his son: Frank Kerntz Jr., his parents Frank and Rose Kerntz, brothers Jim (Sister-in-law: Mary) and Terry Kerntz, A Mass of Christian Burial was held July 10 at St. Anthony’s Catholic
24 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
Church in Ely with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church. A wake was held July 9 at Kerntz Funeral Home. Daniel F. Schwartz, father of MFDA Board Member and MN Funeral Director Tonya Borth, age 70 of Le Sueur, died suddenly on July 9 at the Ridgeview Hospital in Le Sueur. Funeral service was held July 17 at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur with Pastor Jason Lang officiating. Visitation was held July 16 at the funeral home and also one hour prior to service time. Interment will be in Mound Cemetery in Le Sueur with a luncheon following at St. Anne’s School. *In Lieu of flowers, aka: “the family does not need nor want a million flowers,” memorials are preferred…. or wine, chocolate, or scratch-off’s in honor of Dan. Dan was born on July 28, 1948, to Frank and Lorraine (Kotasek) Schwartz in St. Peter. He grew up terrorizing the grounds of Ottawa – always getting into some sort of mischief or causing it, but was the first to give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He married the love of his life, Shari Luedtke on June 8, 1985. Us kids always teased them about their age difference and would say things like: “When you were 15, Mom was just a baby! Gross!” I think the age difference was what actually made them more compatible for each other, he never truly did mature. He always seemed to have some ‘dirty’ joke to share at the most inappropriate times.
He was a hard worker and had put in 30 + years at Unimin. He always wanted the best for his family and worked hard to achieve it. He had a toughness about him, and typically zero patience, especially if us kids woke him up after he had worked a 16hr. shift! Aside from that, he was a caring and loving person, when he wasn’t crabby. He truly was a funloving person, and you never saw him without a smile on his face, even when he wouldn’t be feeling the greatest. He could drive you insane one minute and have you laughing the next. He was definitely one of a kind and will truly be missed by all who knew him. Dan leaves behind his sweetheart of 34 years, Shari; children, Frank (Yvette) Schwartz of AZ, Angel Schwartz of St. Peter, Tonya (Adam) Borth of Le Sueur, and Travis (sig. other, Stevi) Schwartz of Plymouth; grandchildren, Marcus, Tia, and Marah Schwartz, Tony and Jacob Schwartz, and Spencer and Trevor Borth; 3 great-grandchildren; sisters, Bonnie Gessner of Ottawa and Sue (Beamer) Schlarbaum of Le Sueur; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; 2 sons in infancy; brother, Joseph Schwartz and a brother in infancy.
Dean H. Christopherson, beloved dad, grandpa, and great grandpa, age 91, died July 24. Dean went to school at the University of Minnesota Department of Mortuary Science, during college worked at Smith Ambulance in Minneapolis. He worked as a funeral director in Virginia, MN at Cron Funeral Home and Thompson Funeral Home in Minneapolis. He was a salesperson for Northwestern Casket Company in Minneapolis. Preceded in death by wife Peggy. Beloved dad of Karen (Bill) Larson, Brian (Jen), grandpa to Eric, Becky, Christy, Betsy, Jackie, Ellie, Nathan and Thomas, Great grandpa of Josh, Brady, Lincoln, Wyatt, Tyler, Grant, Gavin and Zach. Funeral service was held July 29 at Johnson Peterson Funeral Home in White Bear Lake. Family Interment Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis.
www.mnfuneral.org 25
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26 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2019
POWERED BY
SPECIAL THANKS TO MFDA’S 2019 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, refer to your MFDA Directory, or visit the online MFDA Buyer’s Guide at www.mnfuneral.org. 21st Century Bank Dustin Winter www.21stcb.com
Federated Funeral Directors of America Kim Alexander www.federated-funeral.com
MAS Communications Mary Reeves www.mascommunications.net
Anatomy Bequest Program Jake Anderson, Andrew Ashton, Paul Hill, Angela McArthur, Sarah Paulsen, John Straub, Tamara Voss www.bequest.umn.edu
Federated Insurance Ben Cox www.federatedinsurance.com
Matthews Aurora Casket Roger Ruth, Alexis Smith www.matw.com
Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association Kari A. Hubbard www.forestlawnmn.com
Messenger Bob Hoaglund www.messengerstationery.com
Answering Service for Directors Craig Meehan www.myasd.com Artco Casket Company, Inc. Al Whitmer, Steve Doscher, Wally Gelecinskyj www.artcocasket.com Asphalt Associates Brad Larson www.asphalt-associates.com Assurance Funeral Funding Joel Morimanno www.assurancefuneralfunding.com Assured Decontamination Service Perry Ebner www.deconservices.com Baines Professional Vehicles John Baines www.4hearse.com Brown-Wilbert, Inc. Dave Gavin, Christopher Brown, Andrew Brown, Maleia Kavitz, Jeff Bauer, Jerry Brown www.brown-wilbert.com
Funeral Directors Life John Harrington Scott Tufto www.funeraldirectorslife.com Funeral Home Gifts Karl Weisenbeck www.funeralhomegifts.com Great Western Insurance Company Doug Stolt www.gwic.com Hy-Vee Eagan Chris Straub www.hy-vee.com Johnson Williams Funeral Car Todd Anderson www.jwfuneralcars.com Keith M. Merrick Co., Inc. Kyle Grimes www.keithmerrick.com Kelco Supply Alicia Carr www.kelcosupply.com
Children’s Grief Connection Coral Popowitz www.childrensgriefconnection.com
Keystone Funeral Home Design Build Russ Karasch www.keystone.db.com
Chosen Payments Jim Luff www.chosenpayments.com
Laker Insurance Patrick Zalusky
Cousineau, VanBergen, McNeese and Malone Michael Sharkey www.cvmmlaw.com Dodge Company Lincoln Plain www.dodgeco.com
LifeSource Organ and Tissue Donation Melinda DeVries www.life-source.org Lions Gift of Sight (Formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank) Patty Stockdale www.mnlionseyebank.org
Midwest Medical Examiners Office Angie Chalmers www.midwestmedicalexaminer.com Monumental Sales Chris Taylor www.sunburstmemorials.com Northwestern Casket Co. David Koll www.nwcasket.com Pluto Boes Legal Callyn Bedker www.plutolegal.com Scene Clean Nate Berg www.scenecleanmn.com Senior Advantage Consultants Julie and Jim Palm www.sradvantageconsultants.com Shephart, LLC Dawson Grover www.shephart.com Steinhaus Supply Services Steven Steinhaus 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 Willmar Precast Company Ron Jasperson
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Be the Hero TO T H E FA M I L I E S YO U S E R V E
Funeral service can be stressful, but it’s all worth it when you get that hug from a family you’ve served. That is why Funeral Directors Life is dedicated to helping funeral directors grow an active preneed program. When you can tell a family, “Don’t worry, it’s all prearranged,” it’s the best feeling in the world…for you and the families you serve.
Contact us today to request a free preneed program analysis so you can stop worrying about collecting payment at the time of need and start collecting more of those hugs from grateful families.
Please contact: JOHN HARRINGTON Regional Sales Vice President
john.harrington@funeraldirectorslife.com 763-607-0659
SCOTT TUFTO Director of Sales Development
scott.tufto@funeraldirectorslife.com 952-807-6503
E N D O R S E D B Y:
FUNERAL DIRECTORS LIFE www.funeraldirectorslife.com | 800-692-9515