Also Convention in Review • MFDA’s 2022 Legislative Session
inside: 2022 MFDA
BULLETIN PUBLISHED QUARTERLY FOR MINNESOTA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS MFDABulletin MinnesotaFuneralDirectorsAssociation 7046EastFishLakeRoad MapleGrove,MN55311 ChangeServiceRequested FALL 2022
Darlyne Erickson has been the Executive Director for the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association for many years. Darlyne, and her company, Sapphyre Group, have led the MFDA into a healthy and productive association.
MinnesotaBrianSincerely,DingmannFuneral Directors Association, President Darlyne
On Tuesday, July 19, the MFDA board of directors accepted a letter of resignation from Darlyne. I thank Darlyne for her years of dedicated service to our association and to our profession. She stepped up during some difficult times and helped us in navigating to the position that we currently find ourselves, a thriving association.
Erickson Retires as MFDA Executive Director
July 21, 2022
Darlyne, and Sapphyre Group, have gone above and beyond in ensuring that the MFDA does not miss a beat. The board of directors has appointed Miki Tufto as our Interim Executive Director. Many of you already know Miki from her years as our lead staff for communications and education programs. To ensure a smooth transition, Darlyne is remaining available to Sapphyre Group, as a resource for Miki and the MFDA. The board of directors will be creating a search committee to appoint a permanent executive director. Also feel free to call or email me with any questions on this process or our transition. Please join me in congratulating Darlyne on her retirement and in thanking her for her many years of service to our profession!
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Open (District 8) Open (District 9) Allison Cease (District 10) Cease Funeral Home Bagley, MN ceaseallison@gmail.com
7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311 p: (763) 416-0124 • f: (763) 335-9844 e: info@mnfuneral.org www.mnfuneral.org
MFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September
David Huso (District 11) Rowe Funeral Home Grand Rapids, MN husodavid@yahoo.com
check mnfuneral.org for updates President’s Message 4-5 Interim Executive Director’s Report 6-7 InSight Celebrant Training 7 Legislative Update ...............................................8-10 2022 MFDA Convention in Review .................... 11-13 MFDA District Meetings 14 Federated Risk Management Corner 15 Preneed Insurance Course 16 Book Review 18 MFDA Career Center 19 NFDA Corner 20-21 Allied Health 21 MFDA Brochures & Forms Order Form 22 A Letter from Allina Health .....................................23 In Memorium ..................................................... 24-26 2022 MFDA Allied Members 27
Preneed
What Is Our Mission: Our mission is to enhance and support funeral service excellence through our programs, legislative representation and service to Minnesotans.
Jeff Hartquist (District 3) Hartquist Funeral Home Luverne, MN hartquistluverne@gmail.com
www.mnfuneral.org
SaraSecretaryThompson Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services Sauk Centre, MN sthompson@pattonschad.com Past KellyPresidentJ.Kelly Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Rochester, MN kjkell0803@yahoo.com
Minnesota Funeral Directors Association In This Issue
• Recognize
•
Annual
• Advocacy
• Promotion
Who We Are: Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association (MFDA) is the statewide resource dedicated to supporting our member’s growth professionally, ethically, and operationally.
Open (District 1) Kevin Satre (District 2) Mankato Mankato,MortuaryMN kevin@mankatomortuary.com
• Visionary
MFDA’s
• Collaboration
BrianPresidentDingmann Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services, Annandale, MN brian@dingmannfuneral.com
TBD Watch MFDA communications
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 on behalf of consumers and members leadership trust and confidence in staff and volunteer leadership of integrity; honest and ethical behavior within the funeral industry with others in the interest of consumers and members the importance of education as a vehicle to enhance both public service and public image District Meetings MFDA Insurance Course (Hybrid) October 4-5, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth and via Zoom 132 nd Convention May 2023, and
Upcoming Events Fall
•
JoeTreasurerMahn Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Red Wing, MN jmahn62@hotmail.com
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The MFDA Bulletin is published quarterly for MDFA members. Copyright ©2022 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.
Kyle TeBeest (District 4/5) Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Homes Montevideo, MN kyle@andersontebeest.com Jordan McReavy-Seitz (District 6/7) Washburn-McReavy Funeral Homes Minnespolis, MN jordan@wmchapels.com
PAST PRESIDENT REP Dan Dahl Dahl Funeral Home, East Grand Forks, MN dan.dahl@midconetwork.com STAFF Miki InterimTuftoExecutive Director 763-416-0124 (office) 651-235-3700 (cell) mtufto@mnfuneral.org Amy (Administrative)Beckham amy@mnfuneral.org Maria (Accounting)Olaez maria@mnfuneral.org Kathy (Membership/Convention)Sheridan kathy @mnfuneral.org
DISTRICT DIRECTORS
4 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022
This issue’s President’s Message is a reprint of Brian Dingmann’s speech at the 2022 MFDA Convention.
Thank you to all of you for trusting in MFDA to represent, collaborate, and celebrate with you.
The goal of the Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association is to enhance and support funeral service excellence through its programs, legislative representation, and service to WeMinnesotans.strivetobe here to provide the pillars of MFDA. To educate, advocate, collaborate, communicate, and celebrate funeral service.
Today, I still love funeral service, it is one of my greatest passions in life. We get to come to work every day and make a difference for others. We get to come to work and learn the stories of the lives of the people that have built our communities. We get to come to work and help our community to remember it’s past, express its grief, and heal for the future. We get to come to work, and see the love that exists in this world. Why MFDA Where does MFDA come in all of this?
We all have our story of why we entered this noble profession. I hope we make the time to share those stories and to celebrate our common love of this field.
All the times that they worked long after I had gone to bed. All the times that they worked through the weekend or holiday.
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? Contact Miki Tufto at 763-416-0124 or mtufto@mnfuneral.org
President’s
By Brian Dingmann, MFDA Board President
All the times that they were pulled away from a family function due to the death of someone that we didn’t even know. What I saw as a kid was all the hard work and long hours they committed to the funeral home, and I completely missed the bigger picture.
However, as a teenager, there was one single event that happened that changed my outlook on what they do and who they are. My dad and I crossed paths with a woman, and I saw my father ask, with full sincerity, how she was doing. She spoke briefly with him, allowed a single tear to fall, then thanked him from her heart. She then hugged my dad. He embraced her hug and replied with some softly spoken words.
What is funeral service
Message
If you know my dad, he’s not a hugger.
So, what really is this profession? I believe that funeral service is more than just an industry. It is real-life people: morticians, support staff, grief specialists, product and service suppliers, and the list goes on and on. Funeral Service is people that come together with full hearts; and that give freely of those hearts to the families and the communities that we are so privileged to serve.
Over the past number of years, we have had many successes to celebrate, especially when it comes to our advocacy efforts. Many of you may or may not be aware of the nationwide movement to remove licensing and other barriers to employment, not only from funeral service, but in many industries. MFDA has been ready and available to explain the importance of the mortician’s role whenever this discussion happens in MFDAMinnesota.hasspent substantial time, energy, and resources in St. Paul to make sure that funeral service has a voice and a seat at the table when legislation is introduced
So, even as a teenager, I saw that something more than a hug just happened in the aisle of Jack and Jills grocery store. I don’t remember who the woman was, but I do remember the way I felt in that moment. It was at that time, that I started to place the pieces of the puzzle together. I saw a depth to funeral service that was more than needing to work at inconvenient times. I saw that funeral service was about love and care for our community and to those that call that community home. From that moment on, I wanted to know more.
Welcome. I am Brian Dingmann. I am a 2001 graduate of the University of Minnesota - Program of Mortuary Science, I celebrate 20 years as a licensed mortician this month and I am honored to be this year’s MFDA President. Why we serve We all got involved in funeral service in different ways and we all had different life experiences that led us to our roles of service to our communities. Growing up, I watched my parents, Art and Marlene, operate small town funeral homes in Annandale, Kimball and Maple Lake. I saw the time and energy that they placed into their work.
Thank you to my parents for introducing this great calling to me. Thank you for serving our communities with all your heart, and for allowing me to find my own way to funeral service.
Thank you to all those that have been mentors to me and to others. You are the ones that truly guide this profession. There are too many of you to even mention However,today.when I do think of my mentors in funeral service. Those who have provided guidance, growth, support, and encouragement; almost all of those people, I met through the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association. So, it is only appropriate that I also thank the MFDA for providing not only me, but all morticians looking for personal and professional growth, the opportunity to meet, connect, and learn, with one another; and to celebrate with each other.
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www.mnfuneral.org
Finally, thank you to all of you, valued members of our state association, for trusting in MFDA to represent you, to collaborate with you, and to celebrate with you. I look forward to the year to come and thank you again for the opportunity to serve as president of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association.
507.387.6543 151 St Andrews Court, Suite 210, Mankato, MN www.mascommunications.net56001 ANSWERINGTHECALLSINCE1970 ANSWERINGTELEPHONEOPERATEDOWNEDFAMILY&SERVICE
Thank you to my partner in business and my partner in life, Dana. You are the glue that holds it all together, allowing our family and our business to succeed.
Thank you to all those that have been mentors to me and to others. You are the ones that truly guide this profession. that affects our industry, especially when it comes to licensure changes.
The past couple of years, we have defended the right of our communities to hold services to remember, mourn and celebrate the lives of those that died during Covid. We challenged the executive orders issued, interpreted what the orders meant to funeral establishments, and communicated those interpretations to morticians. We have introduced legislation and will introduce additional legislation to assist funeral homes. By pro-actively introducing legislation, we ensure that we are able to monitor what language is placed into statute, thus protecting those we serve from well-intended, but often flawed legislation. We have a full-time lobbyist that is at the capital as a regular resource to law makers to make sure they understand the positive and negative consequences of proposed changes to the industry. This association has been here to defend and to empower funeral service and we will continue to do so. Thank you! I need to wrap things up. So let me conclude by saying thank you.
Thank you to my co-worker, Mike Messina, for constantly challenging Dana and I to improve ourselves and our company. Thank you to my kids, Isabelle, Elias and Anneliese. I know the challenge of growing up in a family of funeral directors. Thank you for your understanding when the death of a member of our community pulls your mom and I away from our time with you.
I first want to say a tremendous thank you to Darlyne Erickson. She has been a mentor to me for many years and has led this association through at times some murky waters to the thriving level it is today. Please be sure to save the date for Darlyne’s Official Retirement Party from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Thur., Sept 29 at Bear Cave Brewing in Hopkins (see cover for more details). Please stop in that afternoon to wish Darlyne congrats on retired life and thank her for her years of leadership to MFDA and the death care industry in Minnesota! I realize some of you may know me and some may not, so I wanted to give you some of my background, personally and professionally. My husband is Scott Tufto, director of sales development for Funeral Directors Life, and we will celebrate our 18th anniversary over Labor Day weekend! We have three children: Our daughter Regan graduated from the U of M (Ski-U-Mah!) in 2016, and last fall got married to our now son-in-law Adam. They have a rescue dog named Lemon who is my very first granddog. When Regan was younger, she spent a lot of time at MFDA Conventions and learned about association management and is now managing national and state associations as her career. Our son Will is a sophomore at Hopkins High School this year and loves all things video gaming, Hello from a familiar face.
6 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022
Sincerely, Jeff Hartquist, Hartquist Funeral Home & Cremation Service
After almost 20 years of requesting articles from MFDA executive directors as I produced the Bulletin, I now find myself having the honor of being your interim executive director and writing my first Bulletin article!
A note from Jeff Harquist Miki’s family - left to right: Will, Scott, Regan, Adam, Miki, and Ben Lemon and Indy
Interim Executive Director’s Report
By Miki Tufto, MFDA Often times we are focused on what we don’t have or what’s been taken from us; we lose the perspective really on what we’ve been blessed with. As Zach and Greta will be moving in the next couple of months to be closer to family, I want to say ‘thank you’ for all that you have given to our team at Hartquist Funeral Home and the families and communities of southwest Minnesota. You are incredible people and make this world a better place! Thank you for what you add to our profession and best wishes in your next chapter of life! I will take great pride in hopefully getting you started with a solid foundation in your career.
The InSight Celebrant Training was held June 28-30 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth. Participants included: Elizabeth Babinski Margie Black Becca
www.mnfuneral.org 7 golf, fishing and hunting, and is on the HHS Trap Team. Our youngest son Ben is in 5th grade this year and also loves gaming, golf, soccer, and baseball. We have a Small Münsterländer named Indy who is a versatile hunting dog. During COVID we bought a travel trailer and have been camping as much as we can over the past two years. If you have any great campground suggestions, I’m all ears! I grew up in Zimmerman, MN, and graduated from Elk River High School. I attended St Cloud State University (SCSU) as a freshman, then transferred to University of Wisconsin-Stout. At that point I wasn’t sure if I was in the right major for me, so I took time off from college to work in the hospitality industry – this is where my love of planning events happened! I eventually went back to SCSU to complete my BS in mass communications-public relations and political science. After graduation I went to work for the Willmar Area Chamber of Commerce and Willmar Convention and Visitors Bureau until 2002 when I joined as staff at MFDA. From 2002-2007 I worked with MFDA as the communication and meeting coordinator. From 2007-2011 I began a new role as a contractor to produce the Bulletin for MFDA. From 2010-2011 I served as Children’s Grief Connection (now Healing Hearts Connection) board president for two years. In 2014 Darlyne called me to see if I knew anybody interested in communications/event planning for MFDA, and I said, “Me! I would love to come back!” Ever since that day I have been your communications and meetings director, until now. Our MFDA Board appointed me interim executive director as of August 1. My intention is to stay in the role permanently and will be going through the procedural process required with our board over the next couple of Funeralmonths.service went through a wild ride during COVID with the urgency to communicate updated COVID executive orders coming out of the governor’s office as quickly as possible. As the person in charge of communicating to our members, it became very clear to me the importance the association served by being the organization to send out those notices as well as get clarification on any changes so families can continue to have healing funerals and funeral directors can support grieving families. During COVID you could really feel the strength in numbers when the governor’s office decided to not allow any gatherings for funerals, and our members heard the call to contact their legislators to explain the gravity of what that would mean for grieving families. Within hours, the guidance changed, allowing up to 10 people to gather for a funeral. How very powerful you are when you are part of a team through your Inassociation.Augustour board conducted a strategic plan for 2023-2025. You will hear more about the plan at District Meetings in September, as well as on our Online Community and email communications. Our MFDA staff and board members are always here to listen to any ideas or concerns regarding death care in Minnesota. Please know you can always reach out to us via our contact info listed on page 3. I would love to visit your funeral home whenever you have time in your schedule, so feel free to reach out to invite me over!
EmilyAndyLynnLucasCoraErickMarkHeatherCharlieAnnaBrandeeClelandGolnickHagensDunneHalvorsenLivezeyLuckerPerezPetersonRaudabaughSpainhowerSteinfeldtUlrich
2022 InSight Celebrant Training
The legislation created the Transfer Care Specialist registration. The Transfer Care Specialist is required to register annually with the Department of Health and under the direct supervision of a licensed mortician. The registration with the Department of Health requires the completion of the application, a fee of $687, and proof of the completion of a training program every five years. The training program must be approved by the Department of Health and must include 1) ethical care and transportation procedures for a deceased person 2) health and safety concerns to the public and the individual performing the transfer of the deceased person, and 3) all relevant state and federal laws and regulations related to the transfer and transportation of deceased persons.
The Department of Health may deny, revoke, suspend, or place limits on the Transfer Care Specialists registration. The Transfer Care Specialist must comply with 149A, and can be held accountable to disciplinary action by the Department of Health. In addition, the supervising mortician is responsible for the work performed by the Transfer Care Specialist and each supervising mortician may supervise up to six Transfer Care Specialists.
The legislation added a definition for “Dead human body or body” to include an identifiable human body part that is detached from a human body. This modification clarifies the permissibility of the cremation of a detached limb/ identifiable human body part. Holding of Remains Added later in session, and as an alternative to an open-ended time period for the holding of remains, this changed the time a body may be kept in refrigeration. A body may be kept in refrigeration up to 30 days if the funeral establishment provides notice by the 14th day that the body will be kept in refrigeration for more than 14 days and that the person with the right to control final disposition may make other arrangements. The funeral establishment may hold a body for an additional 30 days if the funeral establishment reports to the commissioner.
Though ultimately unsuccessful (due to unrelated disagreements between the House and Senate), MFDA’s commitment to finding solutions resulted in crafting, advocating, and furthering broadly supported policy.
By Joe Sellwood, Cook Girard Associates 2022 SESSION
Cremation of an Identifiable Body Part
More detail is below, as well as background and information on legislation impacting the funeral profession.
Transfer Care Specialist
the session, there was optimism MFDA could move forward with policy provisions crafted to address workforce, education, and licensure. However, unlicensed removals became the focus of policymakers and our attention turned to finding a solution without completely transforming funeral service. Without the continuous engagement of MFDA’s Legislative Committee and Board, licensed morticians in Minnesota could have faced a completely different regulatory landscape today as lawmakers explored ways to open funeral service and the duties of licensed morticians to anyone, regardless of license, training, or Thoughbackground.ultimately unsuccessful (due to unrelated disagreements between the House and Senate), MFDA’s commitment to finding solutions resulted in crafting, advocating, and furthering broadly supported policy. Facing the real possibility of policy to deregulate funeral service in an unworkable way, MFDA was a driving force in opposing such policy and supporting the new Transfer Care Specialist registration legislation to address removals while maintaining a high standard of training, oversight, and accountability. In addition to the Transfer Care Specialist provisions, two more changes were proposed within the package that moved forward throughout session: the cremation of an identifiable body part would be clearly permitted with the addition of the definition for a “Dead human body or body” (149A.02, Subd. 12c), and the time period for holding human remains was extended to thirty days, with an additional thirty days permitted with notice given to the Department of Health (149A.94, Subd. 1).
MFDA’s
8 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022 Legislative Update
The 2022 session has adjourned and while much of the session was successful for MFDA, the outcome greatly Whendisappoints.webegan
While the MFDA-supported Transfer Care Specialist language began in one bill, which was then amended into another bill, and ultimately included in the House Health and Human Services Omnibus Supplemental Budget bill which very unfortunately did not pass due to factors far outside of mortuary science policy.
HF 1888 / SF 1847 - Unlicensed Individuals Authorized to Practice Mortuary Science Authors: Representative John Huot (DFL – Rosemount), Senator Mark Koran (R – North Branch) Introduced in March of 2021, the legislation did not receive a hearing throughout the first year of the biennium. However, we knew there was interest from legislators to move the proposal forward in 2022. MFDA prepared to oppose the legislation while working to find a solution that could be agreed upon by the House and Senate authors, other stakeholders, and the Department of Health. Ultimately, MFDA was successful in its opposition to the original language of HF 1888 and SF 1847 and in late March reached agreement on moving forward with the Transfer Care Specialist language from HF 4160 and SF 3664.
Deregulation is an issue MFDA has been wrestling with for several years. More prominently since 2019 with the introduction of SF 697 (Koran) and HF 2309 (Noor). As proposed, the legislation opened mortuary science to unlicensed personnel, permitting them to make arrangements, direct and supervise funerals, memorials or graveside services. MFDA opposed these efforts and was successful in stopping the legislation from moving forward during the 2019-2020 session, though it created more interest among lawmakers from both sides of the aisle focused on reducing barriers to joining the workforce. This interest was driven by the general trend toward deregulation and reinforced by funeral professionals’ outreach to policymakers. The 2021-2022 session began in the midst of the ongoing pandemic and the funeral profession in Minnesota had firsthand experience with unlicensed individuals making removals following Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-32, codified by 2020 session law Chapter 74. The Executive Order and subsequent law permitted the Department of Health to delay, waive, or modify provisions within 149A during the Peacetime Emergency. Among the waivers issued by the Department of Health was a policy to allow unlicensed individuals to make removals of dead human bodies from the place of death. Once implemented in the late spring of 2020, this policy remained in place through August of 2021 and was utilized by over one-hundred unlicensed Followingindividuals.the expiration of the waivers, there were requests for additional legislation to re-authorize removals by unlicensed personnel. This required a special session to reimplement the policy prior to January 31st, 2022, which never came to fruition – but did gain traction as part of the Department of Health’s waiver legislation (Chapter 40) in early February during the 2022 regular session. Ultimately, the Department of Health did not include the mortuary science waivers as part of their legislative request after determining they were unnecessary.
LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO MFDA HF 4160 / SF 3664 - Transfer Care Specialist Authors: Representative Joe Schomacker (R – Luverne), Senator Mark Koran (R – North Branch) Introduced during the 2022 session, HF 4160 / SF 3664 served as MFDA’s proposal to counter the original language in HF 1888 / SF 1847. While these bills did not move, the language was amended into HF 1888 / SF 1847 in late March of 2022.
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MFDA did not oppose the waivers, but held a strong position that unlicensed individuals making removals is a significant scope of practice change which should not be addressed with temporary waivers crafted to address short-term needs. MFDA has had a genuine interest in finding a solution that membership desired and could be properly vetted through the legislative process in collaboration with stakeholders and the Department of Health. MFDA’s determination to craft and support good policy for Minnesota’s funeral professionals proved to be very effective regardless of the disappointing outcome to the 2022 session.
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022: HOUSE HEALTH FINANCE & POLICY
HF 1888 received its first hearing on March 7, 2022 in the House Health Finance & Policy Committee. MFDA opposed the legislation, as it permitted unlicensed individuals to operate under the supervision of a licensed mortician and make removals, arrange, direct, and supervise funerals, memorials or graveside services. MFDA testified in opposition on the basis that this permitted unlicensed individuals to practice mortuary science without requiring the proper training or oversight of a license, creating an environment where both the public health and consumer protections could be at risk. HF 1888 was held in the committee’s jurisdiction to be acted upon at a later date. Continued on page 10…
MFDA worked diligently to craft policy that included stakeholder input, and most importantly, was what MFDA members preferred. A critical component of creating this new regulated occupation was input from the funeral profession, and MFDA was able to work with the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Program of Mortuary Science on the research study of funeral professionals’ attitudes toward current and potential policies. Using the data gathered from the University of Minnesota research study, in conjunction with member input, the Legislative Committee worked to formalize the Transfer Care Specialist legislation. Ultimately introduced in April of 2022, this legislation served as the solution that legislators were searching for to address the funeral service workforce and provide a new option for the removal of bodies from the place of death. The Transfer Care Specialist policy contains provisions important to MFDA members: required training, licensed mortician supervision, and Department of Health regulation to provide protection of the public’s health as well as consumer protection. Legislators were pleased to support the Transfer Care Specialist legislation, and MFDA can be proud of working to find the solution to a problem.
www.mnfuneral.org
LEADING UP TO 2022
10 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022 TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022: HOUSE HEALTH FINANCE & POLICY
HF 3466 / SF 3045 - Natural Organic Reduction
Representative John Huot (DFL – Rosemount), Senator Chris Eaton (DFL – Brooklyn Center)
Position: MFDA did not have a position on the legislation as it was unlikely to get a hearing during the 2022 session.
In the final days of the session, policymakers failed to come to an agreement on the Health and Human Services Omnibus Supplemental Budget bill. The anticipated final package would have included the Transfer Care Specialist language, the language permitting the cremation of limbs, and the extension of the timeline for holding remains.
The Senate Health and Human Services Policy & Finance committee had its initial hearing on the companion bill, SF 1847, and similarly amended it with the new agreed-upon language. MFDA testified in support of the new language, and additional support was provided by the Institute for Justice, supporters of the first deregulation bill (SF 697) in 2019. The committee passed the bill on a unanimous vote.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022: SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE & POLICY
Authors: Representative Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Senator Jim Abeler (R – Anoka)
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022: HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS
HF 4706 / SF 4410 - Health and Human Services Omnibus Supplemental Budget
funeralvan.com
Introduced in February of 2022, this additional option for final disposition required significant work among the funeral profession and Department of Health. Through discussions, we learned this legislation was unlikely to move forward, and remained focused on issues that were under consideration. This language was offered as an amendment to the Senate’s Health and Human Services Omnibus Supplemental Budget bill, but was not adopted as the bill had not been vetted through the committee process. It is anticipated this proposal will be introduced in legislation again in the future.
Following multiple discussions with authors, we found a compromise position that included nearly all the MFDA Transfer Care Specialist language in HF 4160. MFDA provided written testimony in support of the new language. In addition to the Transfer Care Specialist language, the legislation was amended to modify the timeline for the holding of human remains to allow 30 days, with an additional 30 days following notice to the Department of Health. Furthermore, it added a new definition for “Dead human body or body”, clearly permitting the cremation of identifiable body parts. The House Health Finance & Policy Committee amended and passed HF 1888 on a unanimous vote.
The House Ways and Means committee heard HF 1888, and while the committee generally only deals with the finance issues of a bill and does not take public testimony, MFDA did testify in support of the legislation to clarify member questions on the funeral profession’s support for the policy. With the fiscal analysis from the Department of Health, and Minnesota IT Services (MN.IT), the annual fee was established at $687/ Transfer Care Specialist based on the costs to implement and administer the new registration. The committee passed the bill to the House Floor.
MFDA testified in opposition on the basis that this permitted unlicensed individuals to practice mortuary science without requiring the proper training or oversight of a license, creating an environment where both the public health and consumer protections could be at risk.
More than 160 funeral directors attended convention including 46 exhibitors. This year’s MFDA Party Your Heart Out event to support Healing Hearts Connection (formerly Children’s Grief Connection) was sponsored by Washburn-McReavy, Funeral Directors Life (FDLIC), Passare, Wieser Vault, and MAS Communications. It was a night we’ll never forget with live rock music by Classic American Rockers featuring our MFDA Past President Bill McReavy, Jr. of Red Stiletto! The Convention was filled with professional education, opportunities to network with colleagues, and to visit with exhibitors. We greatly appreciate our convention sponsors and exhibitors who were part of our 131st annual event! Our MFDA Education Committee is working on a new format for our 132nd Annual Convention to be held in May 2023 at a location to be announced within the next few weeks!
2022 CONVENTION IN REVIEW www.mnfuneral.org 11
THANK YOU CONVENTION SPONSORS! Party Your Heart Out! Sponsors SERVICE CORP Luncheon Sponsor Keynote Speaker Sponsor Exhibit Hall Appetizers and Drink Ticket Sponsor Wednesday Breakfast Sponsor Kelco Supply Co Thursday Breakfast Sponsor Maguire Refining THANK YOU CONVENTION SPONSORS! Party Your Heart Out! Sponsors SERVICE CORP Luncheon Sponsor Keynote Speaker Sponsor Exhibit Hall Appetizers and Drink Ticket Sponsor Convention App Sponsor Passare Service of Remembrance Sponsors Andy Steinfeldt Vocals & Videos LLC, Encore, Lions Gift of Sight, Messenger, Tukios, Precoa Lanyard Sponsor Baines Professional Vehicles Wednesday Refreshment Break Sponsor MDH Office of Vital Records Photo Booth Sponsor Forest Lawn Memorial Park Assn Wednesday Breakfast Sponsor Kelco Supply Co Thursday Breakfast Sponsor Maguire Refining Education Sponsors Dodge, National Funeral Directors Assoication Treasure Bingo Grand Prize Sponsor Batesville
YOU 2022
THANK CONVENTION SPONSORS!
Thank you to all that attended MFDA’s 131st Annual Convention on May 24-26 at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Red Wing! It was a great feeling to gather together once again for some education, networking, and a whole lot of fun!
Joyce DeShaw provides a proper cowboy send off at the memorial service for Jerry Brown at the Treasure Island Pavilion MFDA president, Brian Dingmann and outgoing president Kelly Kelly
Thank you to our two past presidents who served our association during the height of the pandemic! Kelly Kelly served two years from 2020-2022 and Chris Jacobson from 2019-2020. We appreciate their leadership during some very challenging times.
PHOTO BOOTH FUN
Opening Keynote by Ross Rosenberg Friends of Jerry Brown’s gathered to pay tribute to him at A Cowboy Send Off at Treasure Island.
12 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022 2022 CONVENTION IN REVIEW
www.mnfuneral.org 13 PHOTO BOOTH FUN 2022 CONVENTION IN REVIEW MFDA 2022-2023 board members who were installed at Convention (L to R): Past President Leif Larsen, District 10 Director Allison Cease, Secretary Sara Thompson, District 6/7 Director Jordan McReavy Seitz, Past President and District 3 Director Jeff Hartquist, Past President Chris Jacobson, Treasurer Joe Mahn, President Brian Dingmann, and Immediate Past President Kelly Kelly. Family of (daughter).Isabelle(wife).andEliasPresidentDingmann(mom),MarleneArtDingmannPresident(LtoR):Dingmann(dad),DingmannAnneliese(daughter),Dingmann,Dingmann(son),DanaDingmannNotpicturedDingmann MFDA was privileged to honor two of our five 50 Year License Award Recipients in-person during Convention. ongratulations to all of our awardees on 50 years of being a licensed mortician in Minnesota! Pictured L to R: David Karsina of Detroit Lakes, Donna Dvorak of the University of Minnesota Alumni Program, and Michael Burns of Minneapolis. 2022 Award Recipients: Michael Burns, Thomas Busha, David Karsnia, James Bredman, and Nicholas Radulovich. Classic American Rockers and special guest MFDA Past President Bill McReavy, Jr. sings with Immediate Past President Kelly Kelly at the Party Your Heart Out Event at Convention!
MFDA District 1 & 2 Meeting Rochester International Event Center, Rochester Thursday, September 22
• Minnesota Funeral Directors Association Funeral Directors Life • Federated Insurance • Legislative – Joe Sellwood & Regional Legislators • Healing Hearts Connection • University of MN Program of Mortuary Science MDH Mortuary Science Section
Tuesday, September 20 MFDA District 3 & 4/5 Meeting Marshall Golf Club, Marshall Wednesday, September 21
2022 District Meeting Agenda 9:00-10:00 a.m. OSHA Training (1 OSHA CEU/Body Prep or Regulations & Ethics CEU) 10:00-11:50 a.m. Death Care Industry Partner Updates (each District Meeting industry partner presenters may vary by location) (2 General CEU)
• MDH OVR • LifeSource • Lions Gift of Sight 12:00-12:30 p.m. (AdditionalLunch fee depending on district meeting locationsee District registration page for more details.) 12:30-1:00 p.m. Local District Meeting 1:00-1:50 p.m. “Thinking It Through – Autopsy” by Lincoln Plain, Dodge Representative, Eastern North Dakota & Minnesota (1 Body Prep CEU)* 2:00-2:50 p.m. “Embalming Infants & Children: One of the Most Difficult Parts of the Job” by Lincoln Plain, Dodge Representative, Eastern North Dakota & Minnesota (1 Body Prep CEU)*
2022 District Dates & Locations Register now! Register online by scanning the QR code or by www.mnfuneral.org/events.visiting
in-person
Timberlake Lodge Hotel & Event Center, Grand Rapids
MFDA District 9 & 10 Meeting
•
MFDA District 6/7 Meeting MinneapolisLifeSource
Tuesday, September 13
Thursday, September 15 MFDA District 8 Meeting
Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen Wednesday, September 14 MFDA District 11 Meeting
MFDA District Meetings are back this fall! www.mnfuneral.org
Benson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, St. Cloud
*Please note, these presentations are the same as were offered at MFDA’s Convention in May at Treasure Island and can only be counted once if you attended Convention. The 2:00pm-2:50pm session will be a different Body Prep CEU session at the MFDA District 8 Meeting – see District 8 registration page for more details. Thank you to Lincoln Plain and Dodge for providing body prep CEUs at this year’s District Meetings!
Call 763-416-0124 if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!
•
Avoid Workplace Hazards with Slip, Trip, and Fall Controls
Failure to properly use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Utilizing workplace controls to create and maintain a safe work environment is imperative in helping to avoid unnecessary sli ps, trips, and falls. And remember to respond quickly and appropriately if a slip, trip, o r fall does occur.
Unsafe ladder usage
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, SOII Data (2017), Table R4. Accessed August 2019. 2 Advanced Consulting and Training LTD. https://advancedct.com/the measures for controlling slip trip and fall hazards
Each year, thousands of workers are injured or disabled as a result of slips, trips, and falls, which may occur anytime, anywhere, or to anyone. These injuries could create long lasting complications for workers who sustain them, and u nfortunately, they are not uncommon occurrences in the workplace a bout 20 to 25 percent of all occupational injury accidents involve slips, trips, and falls.1
Safe work practices take what the administrative controls propose and turn them into actions that employees and employers should follow. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that at least one third of the nation’s workforce is exposed to hazards that could cause slips, trips, or falls.4 It is up to both supervisors and employees alike to follow safe work practices and regularly ensure that rules are being followed. Document any pro blematic areas and the remedial actions taken to address those areas , and ensure documentation includes descriptions of any accidents are as complete as possible.
Obstacles in walkways lighting and vision surfaces
Inattention
3work/#:~:text=Administrative%20controls%20include%20the%20following,sight%20obstruction%20and%20over%2DreachingatOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration,NationalSafetyCouncil46E0HT10.https://www.osha.gov/harwoodgrants/grantmaterials/fy2006/46e0 ht10
equipment Haste Inappropriate footwear Lack
Administrative controls involve critically assessing work procedures and policies, and implementing effective rules, schedules, and training with the goal of reducing employee interaction with potentially hazardous situations over long periods of time. 2 These controls can help change the way people do their jobs through the use of education, training, proper signage, maintenance, correcting poor work practices, regular inspections, and good housekeeping, to name a few. 3
4U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 6, 2021. https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/fatal and nonfatal falls slips and trips in the construction industry.htm
Fortunately, many of these injuries can be avoided by using controls designed to help you recognize slip, trip, and fall hazards at your workplace and determine what preventative safety measures should be taken.
Engineering controls involve evaluating your physical environment and rectifying the hazards that may cause employees to slip, trip, or fall 2 Th ese controls also include changing processes to ensure that safety is a top priority and verifying that the physical environment at your facility is up to code.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can help to reduce risks of injury or death in circumstances where there may be an increased risk of slips, trips, or falls. Although there may not be a way to eliminate a hazard in a workplace, PPE can help to control the hazard rather than eliminating it.3
Causes often include:
Poor
Slippery
16 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022
In-Person: Crowne Plymouth,3131MinneapolisPlazaWestCampusDr.MN55441
Callyn Bedker
Don Strickland joined Funeral Director’s Life in 2015 to work with select producers as an active channel Director of Sales Development. He has a BBA in Management, Master’s in Human Resource Management and doctorate work in strategic leadership. He is a fourth-generation funeral professional and general lines insurance agent with over 35 years of experience in management and ownership of family-owned businesses. His specific experience includes new start up and market expansion, corporate operations, and marketing. With a background in sales management and product training, he joined the Learning & Development team to work on new select producer initiatives, facilitating the Wolfelt experience and implement funeral director and insurance CEU training. Don is married and has 3 children and 5 grandsons.
Tuesday October 4 8:30 a.m. Registration Open 9:00 a.m. “Understanding the Plan” by Callyn Bedker 12:00 p.m. Lunch (Lunchbreakprovided for in-person) 1:00 p.m. “Understanding Medicaid” by Callyn Bedker 4:00 p.m. Wrap up and conclusion Dinner on your own for those in-person Wednesday, October 5 7:30 a.m. Registration Open 8:00 a.m. OSHA Training (optional) (For in-person attendees only) 9:00 a.m. “Protecting the End-of-Life Financial Needs of the Senior byMarket”DonStrickland 12:00 p.m. (LunchLunch provided for in-person) 1:00 p.m. “Ethics in the Workplace” by Don Strickland 4:00 p.m Wrap up and questions Course ScheduleThis course is approved for the following CEUs: (must attend the full day(s) to receive assigned CEUs, partial credit will not be given) 12 MN Insurance CEUs • Tuesday – 6 General CEUs • Wednesday – 3 Ethics & 3 General CEUs 13 (in-person) or 12 (virtual) MN Funeral Director CEUs • Tuesday – 6 CEUs Professional Practices • Wednesday – 1 CEU OSHA/1 CEU Regulations and Ethics or Body Prep; 3 Ethics & 3 General CEUs Must attend OSHA Training in-person only, not available to virtual attendees. We will offer additional OSHA Training at MFDA District Meetings and virtually on Zoom in December 2022.
Don’t need MN Insurance CEUs? You can register to receive only MN Funeral Director CEUs for this course – just enter 0000 for your insurance license # during registration. We have a 100% refund policy if you are unable to attend for any reason, so if you intend to register please do so by Friday, September 30 at 12:00pm - registration will close after this date! To receive your full refund, please email Needkathy@mnfuneral.org.ahotelroomat
Tuesday, October 4 & Wednesday, October 5
In-Person: Both Days $250 MFDA Member $450 Non-Member Single Day $200 MFDA Member $400 Non-Member OSHA Training FREE MFDA Member $150 Non-Member Virtual: Both Days $250 MFDA Member $450 Non-Member Single Day $200 MFDA Member $400 Non-Member
the Crowne Plaza? To receive a special discounted rate of $115 a night, please call the hotel directly at 763-559-6600. Guests should ask for the MN Funeral Directors block.
Presenter Bios
Attorney at Law, Bedker Law Callyn T. Bedker joined the firm in 2016. Callyn is licensed to practice law in Minnesota. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science, Global Studies and History from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 2012 and her Juris Doctor from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2015. Callyn is from Buffalo, Minnesota and currently lives in Olivia, Minnesota with her husband, Alex. In her free time, she enjoys running, attending auctions and spending time with her family and friends.
Don Strickland Implementation and Training Specialist, Funeral Directors Life
Virtual: On Zoom Please note, as required by the MN Dept of Commerce a survey question must be answered live every 50 minutes of class to track your attendance to receive CEUs. Register mnfuneral.org/eventsat
MFDA Preneed Insurance Hybrid CEU Course 2022
www.mnfuneral.org 17 We’re Proud To Support Minnesota Funeral Homes! ALICIA CARR, Like you’re there for your families, we’re there for you. Like you’re there for your families, we’re there for you! 800-328-7720 • KelcoSupply.com • KelcoUrns.com As a Minnesota based company, Kelco® is there to support you and offer a wide range of products you need to operate your funeral home. Many of these products are produced right here in our great state! Support your local supplier - Buy From Kelco®! Plus many other local initiatives including those supported by, the MFDA Leadership Academy, the Children’s Grief Connection, and the University of MN Mortuary Science Program. Chair, Mortuary Law Practice Group Attorney • Funeral Director Michael D. Sharkey, Esq., CFSP, CCO Attorney Sharkey provides advice, counsel and litigation services for funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories.952-525-6990msharkey@cvmmlaw.com www.cvmmlaw.com John Maguire President 1290 - 81ST AVE. N.E. MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55432 763-786-2858 800-486-2858 FAX john.maguire@maguireref.com763-786-7793www.maguireref.com PRECIOUS METAL REFINING
A portion of online purchase proceeds automatically go to Healing Hearts Connection (formerly Children’s Grief Connection)!
Review by Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez, LLC
Matt Paxton Jordan Michael Smith
In a gentle way that’s respectful and forgiving, Paxton (with Jordan Michael Smith) guides readers through more steps than one would expect in an effort to make decluttering and purging seem do-able. He also shows how getting rid of stuff can be soul-freeing, which could be attractive to even the most dedicated collector, and for anyone who’s reluctant to even think about emptying a home or storage unit.
18 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022 Book Review: “Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff ” by Matt Paxton with Jordan Michael Smith
1. Shop on Amazon at www.smile.amazon.com
2. Designate Children’s Grief Connection as your beneficiary.
Next, tackle the clutter in ten-minute increments, and promise yourself that you’ll do that every day. Know where to ask for professional help; in fact, accept help, period. Get rid of any guilt you might be feeling. Learn how to get eliminate paper, including extra pictures. Learn how to build a Legacy List. Embrace the beautiful power of donating. And know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
Unless you’re a dedicated minimalist – a movement that author Matt Paxton says he’s recently embraced – you probably have too many possessions and too much clutter.
The carpet in your living room is brown. At least that’s the way you remember it. You haven’t actually seen it in a few years because you’ve got stuff from corner to corner, held down by furniture you don’t sit on, anchored by things you don’t use. Time for a major clean-up, and it can start with “Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff” by Matt Paxton with Jordan Michael Clean-upSmith. specialist, Hoarders expert, and Legacy List creator Matt Paxton wasn’t always a guy who deals with clutter. Back when he was a new college grad, he was “Selfish and self-indulgent” and was fired from his first job so he moved back in with his father. Sadly, months later, his father died of cancer and it was left up to Paxton to clear out the family home. Shortly after that, an elderly lady from church asked for help cleaning up. And then there was another request, and another and Paxton learned each time. Soon, he had a better way to declutter –one that works.
Unless you’re a dedicated minimalist – a movement that author Matt Paxton says he’s recently embraced – you probably have too many possessions and too much clutter. And too little time and too much confusion, which is where “Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff” comes in.
Says Paxton, “A new, simpler, and better life awaits you when you do.”
The first step is to “uncover the stories behind the stuff.” Have someone nearby to listen to why you kept something, to honor its role in your memories. Surprisingly, that makes it easier to relinquish items you don’t need anymore. Are you selling, moving, tossing, or just tired of a mess? Decide why you’re decluttering and what your “finish line” will look like. Be sure to measure the space where you’ll put the things you’re keeping, and “be smart about” using storage units.
If you’re downsizing, cleaning up or out, you want to spring clean right, or you’ve just become the recipient of parental belongings, this book helps you take the first tiny steps toward a clean, clutter-free existence. “Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff” is a book you want in your corner.
Donating to Healing Hearts Connection has never been easier!
POW E R E D BY , Announcing MFDA’s CAREER CENTER at www.mnfuneral.org The Employeryoubecandidatefuneralperfectdirectorcouldcloserthanthink.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 Looking for the MFDAclassified ads page?All classifieds can now be foundonline in the MFDA Career Centerat mnfuneral.careerwebsite.com www.mnfuneral.org 19
& Caring for Yourself: A self-care handbook for funeral service professionals,” the booklet on which Take 5 is based, along with a companion “Self-care Manifesto poster,” are available at no charge via the Foundation’s website, offeredthebeownersAndersonfamiliesmy“Asinself-careTakeFoundationresourceCaringproud“Thefuneralservicefoundation.org/resources.www.FuneralServiceFoundationistooffer‘CaringforFamilies&forYourself’asanimportantforfuneralprofessionals,”saidChairAllanCole.“NFDA’s5serieswillhelpbringDr.Wolfelt’sguidancetoevenmorepeopletheprofession.”afuneralhomeowner,Iknowthatfuneralhomecan’tcareforgrievingifwedon’thaveastrongteam,”said.“IurgefuneralhomeandmanagerstohelptheirteamattheirbestbyhelpingthemaccessTake5seriesandtheotherresourcesbyNFDAandtheFoundation.”
Self-Care
Take 5 is a series of short activities designed to give funeral service professionals – both NFDA members and nonmembers –information and practices to better care for themselves. The interactive series features short videos, quizzes, self-assessments and self-care tips and is based on the Funeral Service Foundation’s “Caring for Families & Caring for Yourself: A self-care handbook for funeral service professionals,” written by Dr. Alan Wolfelt. Take 5 viewers will learn to:
• Identify their sources of stress that personally impact them on the job and at home and gauge their level of burnout.
• Use strategies for minimizing the impact of stress on the job and tips to develop a personal plan for self-care.
• Understand the wide range of free resources available to funeral professionals to further explore selfcare and mental health with articles, screenings and toolkits.
Administered by CuraLinc Healthcare, SupportLinc offers in-the-moment support and short-term counseling by phone, web, text or mobile app with a licensed clinician; digital support group sessions; legal consultation; financial consultation; and more. Information about the tools, resources and information available to NFDA members can be found online at www.nfda.org/ “CaringSupportLinc.forFamilies
NFDA
Funeral service professionals can access the Take 5 series online, www.nfda.org/ Take5. Other Resources To help members be at their best so they can effectively support families, NFDA has partnered with SupportLinc to offer a member assistance program. This confidential support service is available 24/7, 365 days per year at no charge to NFDA members and their immediate family members (e.g., spouse, children).
• Be proactive and prioritize your selfcare in small, manageable steps.
NFDA 5” for Yourself: Offers Free Online Series for Funeral Service Professionals
20 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022 Funeral service is a high-touch, highstress career that, unfortunately, comes with a high-degree of compassion fatigue and burnout. To help members of the funeral service profession understand when on-the-job stress might be impacting them and steps they can take to better cope with and preserve their emotional well-being, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has introduced the free Take 5 self-care “Effectivelyseries. managing that stress is so very important because, when we take care of ourselves, we’ll be better able to take care of the families who are depending on us,” said NFDA President Randy Anderson, CFSP, CCO. “The new Take 5 self-care series is a free resource developed by NFDA to help anyone – regardless of membership status –identify and address the stresses in your life that come with being a funeral service Availableprofessional.”online24/7,
• Recognize symptoms of burnout and common, often unhealthy, coping mechanisms.
Corner “Take
Minnesota
•
NFDA Corner NFDA Honors Funeral Homes for Excellence in Service to Families and Communities 4hearse.com Want to renew your MFDA membership online?
The 2022 Pursuit of Excellence Award honorees will be formally recognized by the association at the All-Star Recognition Ceremony on Monday, October 10 during the NFDA International Convention & Expo (October 9-12 in Baltimore, ToMaryland).earnaNFDA 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. Information about the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence program can be found by visiting www.nfda.org/pursuitofexcellence Registration and application materials for 2023 will be available in mid-October 2023. Pursuit of Excellence Recipients Funeral Homes View full list at www.nfda.org/pursuitofexcellence Members in Bold
• Hantge-McBride Hughes Funeral Chapels, Hutchinson, Minnesota Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, Minnesota (Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton) Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes, Saint Cloud, Minnesota Funeral & Cremation Service, Morris, Minnesota (Starbuck Funeral Home, Starbuck)
“Every year, I am astounded by the extraordinary ways in which our members are providing meaningful support to grieving families and communities,” said NFDA Director of Public Relations Jessica Koth, who manages the Pursuit of Excellence Award program. “The Pursuit of Excellence Task Force was captivated by this year’s entries and very much enjoyed reviewing each and every one. The task force applauds all of our honorees for their hard work and dedication to providing a superior level of service to families and communities. We are proud to have these firms as part of our NFDA family.”
MFDA
www.mnfuneral.org 21
Award
and sign-in to your MFDA members-only account. Need your log-in info?
• Pedersen
Visit www.mnfuneral.org Contact Miki Tufto at 763-416-0124 or mtufto@mnfuneral.org
2022 NFDA
•
The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) congratulates the funeral businesses that earned a 2022 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.
22 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022 MFDA Order Form DescriptionBrochuresof Item PackageSize QuantityOrdered Price PackagePer Tax PackagePer Total Straight Answers About the Funeral 50 $25.00 $1.85 Why Pre Arrange and Pre Fund Funeral 50 $25.00 $1.85 When Death Occurs Away From Home 50 $25.00 $1.85 Medical Assistance Limits on Funeral Pre-Arrangements 50 $25.00 $1.85 Cremation - A Choice With Many Options 50 $25.00 $1.85 Value of a Funeral 50 $25.00 $1.85 One Time Logo Set-Up Fee 1 $50.00 N/A DescriptionForms of Item PackageSize QuantityOrdered Price PackagePer Tax PackagePer Total Irrevocable Trust Agreements 50 $30.00 $2.18 Statement of Funeral Goods and Services 50 $30.00 $2.18 Written Authorization to Embalm 50 $30.00 $1.82 Certification of Removal 50 $25.00 $1.82 Subtotal Handling and Shipping (see below)Total For your convenience, we accept Mastercard, Visa and American Express. Please indicate method of payment below. Your credit card statement will indicate Contemporary Images as the payee. Credit Card Number qVisa qMastercard qAmerican Express Expiration Date Month Year Signature______________________________________________________ Shipping and Billing Information Name: City:Address:Funeral___________________________________________________Home:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________State:________Zip:_____________Phone:___________________Fax:___________________________ P: 763.249.0393 Ι E: kaasen@cii4print.com Ι F: 763.249.0394 Method of Payment qInvoice me directly qPay by credit card No PO boxes please Handling / Shipping Calculator Order Amount Shipping $0 - $50 $20 $51 - $100 $22 $101 - 150 $24 $151 - 200 $28
Effective Date: August 23rd, 2022
www.mnfuneral.org 23
• The ‘Funeral Home Service Line’ goes to a voice answering machine that is monitored 24/7.
• Allina Health can provide the following information to support coordination: o Date/time of death
• For additional information including Social Security Number, home address, life insurance questions etc., please refer to the patient’s family.
Funeral Home Notification To: Funeral Home Personnel
• Security will escort the Funeral Home personnel to the morgue and will sign Funeral Home documents.
• To support our internal workflow and ensure your call is responded to, please do not bypass the Funeral Home Service Line by calling Admitting/Registration or Security directly. *All calls need to go through the Service Line.
Subject: Notification of Process Change Allina Health Hospitals
• Please contact Security upon arrival (Abbott Northwestern: 612 863 5416).
We recognize this may be a change to y our workflow and we are committed to partnering to ensure quality service and compassionate coordination for our patients and their families. Please reach out with any questions or feedback .
o Name/contact of the provider who will sign the death certificate o Height/weight for transport o If the body is ready for pick up
To reach a representative regarding this notification, please email ANWSafetyandQualityTeam@allina.com
• All messages on the Funeral Home Service Line are responded to as soon as possible, and no longer than 4 6 hours.
Some of these changes may impact the process for coordination with Funeral Homes. Please see the key changes for Funeral Homes to be aware of when requesting information and coordinating pick up at Allina Health Hospitals.
• Please leave a detailed message on the answering machine including the patient’s name, date of birth and the reason for the call.
• For questions regarding the patient and to coordinate pick up, please contact the Funeral Home Service Line at 612-262-8265 and select the extension for the applicable hospital.
Allina Health is committed to quality patient care and is working to optimize our internal process for patient expirations.
To Know
• Please know that your call will be returned in the order it was left .
• Funeral Homes no longer need to check in at the Admitting/Registration desk.
• A ‘Funeral Home Service Line’ has been established to support coordination.
Jerry was very involved in civic groups and created the St. Paul Winter Carnival Torturous 26 Marathon in 1983, and also organized the 500 mile snowmobile race from Winnipeg to St. Paul. Jerry loved to run Marathons and finished fourth in his age group in the Pikes Peak Marathon, as well as running the Boston Marathon and many others. He also loved to play doubles tennis with his sons.
Jerry was 86, died peacefully in 2022.MNMahtomedi,onApril7,
preferred to Healing Hearts Connection, formally known as Children’s Grief Connection.
of his own, decided to attend services at that very same church. Elementary school brought Ken to Somerset in Mendota Heights, and Junior High was spent at Francis M. Grass in West St. Paul. He graduated from Henry Sibley High in 1969. Ken’s love for the water was well known so it made sense that he joined the Sibley swim team. More love blossomed while in high school, but this time it was between Ken and his high school sweetie, Sue Hurd. Ken and Sue dated during their Junior year and were part of the St. Stephen’s Martyr’s Youth Group. While working with the church group, they were able to go on the first co-ed Grand Portage trip to the Boundary Waters. Although it was a young courtship, both Ken and Sue remained friends with many of their high school classmates into adulthood. Later in life, the two would find themselves planning and organizing many class reunions for the class of 1969. College took Ken to Winona State University, and he graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education. While there, he joined the fraternity Sigma Tau where he and his brothers created the Winona Walleye Club. To be allowed back into the resorts where they had previously been dismissed, the group of young exuberant men had to come up with a legitimate name, so the Winona Walleye Club was born. (Needless to say, they were not a fishing club.) The guys stayed in touch throughout their post-collegiate years and continued to get together in Hastings for “Beer with Bud” on an almost weekly basis. While at Winona State, Ken met his first wife, Judy Frank. The two were married in June of 1974, and together they had five children. Jessica came in 1977 and a couple of years later, Ken and Judy welcomed infant twins. Sadly, due to a premature birth, Jeremy and Johanna passed away shortly thereafter. Amy joined the family in 1980, and Kristy was born four years later. The Peterson family enjoyed many summers on the boats while on both White Bear Lake and along the Mississippi River in Red Wing. With his education and many talents
24 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022
Paul,atAsaffinitytripsandKenprovidedwiththeirconvenientlywasheadinghisfamilySt.ThemanycontinueMN,setswereOlsonmaternalonG.Kennethchildrensgriefconnection.comhttps://BrucePetersonwasborntoKenneth(G.K.)andLorainePetersonJune9th,1951,inSt.Paul,MN.HisgrandparentswereArtandEdnaandhispaternalgrandparentsEmilandMagdelinePeterson.BothofgrandparentslivedinRedWing,soitwasnosurprisethatKenwouldtoenjoythisspecialplaceforyearstocome.PetersonfamilyresidedinWestPaul,MNwhereKenlivedinhishomeonDelawareAvenuewithbrother,Kurtandsister,Karenuntiltocollege.Asachild,KennyinvolvedintheBoyScoutsandenough,Lorainewasalsodenmother.FishinginRedWinghisGrandpaArtandhisunclesendlessamountsofenjoyment.alsospentalotoftimewithcousins,hisfamilyrelishedtakinglongroadwhichprobablyresultedinhisfordrivingandtravel.achild,Kennyattendedpre-schoolSt.Stephen’sLutheranChurchinSt.andwhenhehadayoungfamily
He was born in Spencer, Iowa in 1935 and grew up in Denver, Colorado, graduating from East High School in Denver as Outstanding Senior Boy. He then attended the University of Colorado.
Jerry worked in the funeral business for many years in Minnesota and valued the friendships he made within the industry.
IN MEMORIAM
Jerry spent many happy times at his ranch in Ingomar, Montana, entertaining his friends and grandkids there. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Vera and Francis Brown and his sister, Sharon Brown. He is survived by his four sons and daughters-in-law: Chris And Gail Brown, Judd and Julie Brown, Tim and Jeannine Brown, Jason and Angie Brown, plus eleven grandchildren and 9 greatgrandchildren. Also, his special friend, Susan Rose. Funeral arrangements are Memorialsprivate. to Children’s Grief Connection; 320 North Front Street; St. Peter, MN 56082 Kenneth Peterson, Husband, Dad, Poppa, Brother, Uncle, Friend Died suddenly and peacefully in the comforts of his home on April 19, 2022, after a short battle with cancer. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Sue (Hurd), daughters Jessica (Jake) Johnson, Amy (Mark) Albrecht, and Kristy Peterson (with former spouse Judy), step-children Adam Olsen and Amanda Olsen, grandchildren Kaleb Johnson, and Alaina, Logan, Olivia, and Julia Albrecht, brother Kurt, sister Karen Olson, nieces Amylee Marion, Bailey Peterson, and Adora Olson, nephews, Michael Henderson, and Axel Olson. Preceded in death by infant twins Jeremy and Johanna (1979), and parents Loraine (1983) and G.Kenneth Peterson Memorials(1988).
Jerry BrownJudd , April 26, 1935April 7, 2022
Although the high school romance with Sue ended back in the 60’s, it wasn’t until later in life that the two reconnected. They managed a long-distance relationship for many years, and between work, kids and the stresses of daily life, they decided to wait until later to marry.
On July 11th, 2003, the two exchanged vows on the St. Croix River. Ken added two stepchildren, Adam and Amanda to his family. The marriage brought Sue back to Minnesota from Iowa, where she retired from being a kindergarten teacher to begin working together fulltime with Ken at both funeral homes.
in art, Ken didn’t pursue a career in art education. Although he started helping at the funeral home when he was as young as 4th grade, the decision to go into the field didn’t come until a couple of years after college graduation. It was then that he decided to go back to school and earn a degree in Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota in 1975. After graduation, Ken continued to work alongside his father at Johnson-Peterson Funeral Home in St. Paul. When G.K. passed in 1988, Ken took over both the funeral home in St. Paul as well as the White Bear Lake location. Prior to his father’s passing, Ken made the decision to rebuild the White Bear chapel to provide better accommodations for grieving families within the surrounding Notcommunity.onlywas Ken active in the community, but he was also extremely involved in the MFDA (Minnesota Funeral Directors Association) and the NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association). Ken served as the MFDA President from 1993-1994 and again from 2008-2009. He was also an At-Large Representative for NFDA. As if that wasn’t enough, Ken also recognized the need for a grief camp for children and was the first Board Chair, past President, and one of the Founding Fathers of Camp Amanda. Camp Amanda changed names to Children’s Grief Connection and is now known as Healing Hearts Connection. While volunteering at camp, Ken did one of his favorite activities, photography. Not only did he take amazing camp photos, but he would even drive to the nearest town to print off copies of the group photos so that all campers had a copy to take home.
Ken was allergic to many things, dogs being one of them. Somehow, Sue convinced Ken that a puppy would be a good addition to the household. Enter Buddy. Buddy was adopted from Ken’s sister, Karen in 2005, and the two made the long drive down to Texas to pick him up. Strangely enough, Ken was no longer allergic to dogs and Buddy went to work with the two almost every day and became certified as a K-9 Good Citizen. That certification allowed Buddy to attend Grief Camp, and he helped console the campers with his playfulness, his love, and his genuine adoration for Kenkids.was a proud Poppa to five grandchildren, and a beloved uncle to his niece and nephew. Jessica’s son, Kaleb (Ken’s first grandson to steal his heart) had a mutual love for photography and the two would practice taking pictures together. As Amy’s children were born, Poppa Ken found himself as the official photographer, sailing supporter, girl scout cookie financier and overall cherished Poppa to Alaina, Logan, Olivia and Julia. During summers when niece, Adora and nephew, Axel would be at the family cabin in Frontenac, Ken often found himself spending time with the two cruising the waters on the houseboat, setting off fireworks and building Ascampfires.yearswent by, both Ken and Sue looked forward to retirement and sold the White Bear Lake funeral home in 2021. They were anxiously looking for a buyer for the St. Paul funeral home and entered into a purchase agreement in early 2022. While in the hospital, Ken closed on Johnson-Peterson Funeral Home on April 1st, 2022. Although he was unable to fully enjoy his retirement, Ken lived a full life. He had a variety of health-related obstacles, but that never stopped him. The experiences mentioned are only a fraction of the life he lived. He was a hard, dedicated man and even though he could be a grump, it wasn’t uncommon to hear, “that guy would give you the shirt off his back.” And that’s nothing short of the truth. Ken provided for his family and loved them and his friends dearly.
The two not only loved each other, but they both loved to travel. This shared sense of adventure took them on many fun-filled excursions. They’d scuba dive in Cozumel, set sail on an Alaskan cruise, and visit friends and family across the US. From drinking specialty wines in Italy, to exploring Israel, soaking up the warm waters of the Dominican Republic and seeing the Northern Lights while in Iceland, the two sought out those oncein-a-lifetime experiences and followed their travel dreams together.
www.mnfuneral.org 25
Ken may have spent a lot of time working, but you could also find him spending his free time enjoying a wide variety of hobbies. He loved skiing with his daughters, attending Minnesota Wild home games, exploring the Minnesota State Fair (multiple times every year), traveling to new and unique places, boating on the Mississippi, photographing anything that captured life in its finest form, supporting his grandkids, cooking, calligraphy and so many other fulfilling ventures. The man even enjoyed shopping.
Prior to remarrying, Ken and Sue figured that since they both enjoyed being on and near the water so much, why not buy a “cabin” on the lake? Another thought became reality when they purchased their home away from home on Lake Pepin, aptly naming it PepinOak. PepinOak was a place the two could retreat to after busy days, nights, and weekends spent at Johnson-Peterson Funeral Home. Navigating the Mississippi and taking photos of sunsets, barges, paddle boats, eagles and other wildlife seemed to be a common theme when the weather was nice and the water calm.
26 MFDA Bulletin • FALL 2022
Charles N. WennerMass of Christian Burial was held May 13, 2022, at St. John’s Abbey/ University Church in Collegeville, MN for Charles N. Wenner, age 91, who died May 8 at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family. Burial in the St. Boniface Parish Cemetery, Cold Spring, MN. Visitation was held May 12 at the Wenner Funeral Home, Cold Spring. Charley was born on May 30, 1930, in St. Cloud, MN to Carl and Louise (Broker) Wenner. Charley graduated from St. Boniface High School in 1948 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from St. John’s University in 1952. Following two years of Medical School at the University of MN he changed focus to a Mortuary Science Degree. After completing his Boards, he entered the Marine Corps shipping out to Officer’s Candidate School the same day. He served during the Korean War as a Military Police Officer (MP) and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. During his time in the service, he travelled extensively throughout the far east, including Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. He married Nancy L. Burns on July 21, 1956, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Pearl Lake, MN. Charley and his brother, John owned and operated Wenner Hardware, Funeral Home, Gas Company and Ambulance Service in Cold Spring, MN. The call to serve others came naturally to him and was always delivered in a way that made you feel it was both his honor and a pleasure. Charley was the City Clerk for Cold Spring for several years and served on the Boards of Trustees for the State Bank of Cold Spring and Assumption Nursing Home. He served on the St. Boniface Parish Council and Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the American Legion Post 455, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Korean Last Man’s Club, Cold Spring Lions, and Knights of Columbus (4th Degree). Charley joined the Cold Spring Fire Department at the age of 14 during WWII when all abled bodied men were conscripted into service. He served as Fire Chief for a number of years and remained an active member of the Department until December 1984.
Charley enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, making maple syrup, and all things outdoors. He was passionate about traveling, cooking, and eating. Above all he loved people. He was uniquely wonderful, outgoing, caring, and compassionate – he had an innate ability to make friends of strangers; of making friends feel like family and family feel like friends. “Where are you going? Sit down. I have another question.”
IN MEMORIAM
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nancy; children, Carl “Skosh” (Karen), Mathew (Rosario), Jerome (Sharon), Jo Ann Wenner, Patrick (Kelly), Paul, Mary Kay (George) Morris, James (Sandy); siblings, Mary Reichert, John (Joan), Margaret “Marne” Tiplady, Thomas (Sandy), Robert (Judi); 28 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandchildren: Baby Wenner, Marc Wenner, Baby Teresa Wenner, Baby Morris, Gregory Warren, and James Wenner II. To all those who knew him, “ClickeyClickey”. Mary Stein - Mass of Christian Burial was held June 27 at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie for Mary Stein, 79 of Long Prairie who died June 22, 2022 at Maplewood Manor Senior Living in Elbow Lake. The Rev. Omar Guanchez will officiate and burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation was held June 26 at the Williams Dingmann Stein Chapel in Long Prairie and 1 hour prior to services at the church in Long Prairie. Mary was born April 28, 1943, in Guhren, Germany to Wilhelm & Theresia (Wigger) Damer. She and her family moved from East Germany to West Germany in January of 1945, on June 6, 1950 they immigrated to the United States to New Underwood, SD and in 1956 they moved to Elrosa. She grew up in Elrosa and after graduating from high school she attended and graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester. She became a registered nurse and started working at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. She met Robert E. Stein in Duluth and they were married on August 20, 1966 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. They moved to Long Prairie and purchased the Stephan Funeral Home in 1969 and operated the funeral home together until 2004 when they retired. She is a member of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie, and was active in the Catholic Women and St. Ann’s Mission group. Mary was active in her community in different organization including, the Long Prairie Food Pantry, Long Prairie Quilt Club, Long Prairie Marching Ambassadors, Long Prairie Chamber, Charter member of Long Prairie Mrs. JC’s, Country Cruisers Car Club. She was also a member of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association and the St. Mary’s School of Nursing Alumni Group. Mary enjoyed spending time playing bridge at the Long Prairie Country Club. She is survived by her husband Robert of Long Prairie; children, Jonathan (Mari) of Wausau, WI; Katrina (Tyler) Stenton of Chicago, IL; Christopher E. (Debra) of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Eric, Christopher R., Abigail, Allison, and Cash Stein, brothers, Guido (Carlene) Damer of Prineville, OR; Lewis (Dianne) Damer of St. ShePaul.was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Fred, Alois and Josef Damer.
The Purple Cross Plan Denis Nordlum www.purplecross.com Total Transportation Corporation Charlie Murray www.totallimo.com United Heritage Insurance Bob Hanson www.unitedheritage.com
Andy Steinfeldt LLC Funeral Singer www.minneapolisfuneralsinger.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.
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.
Johnson Williams Funeral Car Todd Anderson www.jwfuneralcars.com Journaling Through Grief Connie Berg www.journalingthroughgrief.com Kachina Supply Inc. Jeff Grimm www.KachinaFuneralSupply.com Kelco Supply Alicia Carr www.kelcosupply.com Keystone Funeral Home Design Build Russ Karasch www.keystone.db.com Laker Insurance Patrick Zalusky LifeSource - Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Kelley MelindaRomanowskiVanWaus www.life-source.org Lions Gift of Sight (Formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank) Patty Stockdale www.mnlionseyebank.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
Anatomy Bequest Program Angela McArthur, Shannon Vadnie, Linnea Seidelmann, Sarah Paulsen, Marina Burandt, Jason Vollmer www.bequest.umn.edu Artco Casket Company, Inc. Al Whitmer, Steve Doscher, Wally Gelecinskyj www.artcocasket.com Baines Professional Vehicles John Baines www.4hearse.com Batesville Kimberly Sopczak www.batesville.com Bedker Law, PLLC Callyn Bedker www.bedkerlaw.com Brown-Wilbert, Inc. Dave Gavin, Christopher Brown, Andrew Brown, Maleia Kavitz, Jeff Bauer, Jerry Brown www.brown-wilbert.com Citizen’s State Bank Troy Weathers www.csbnet.net Cousineau, VanBergen, McNeese and Malone Michael Sharkey www.cvmmlaw.com Dodge Company Lincoln Plain www.dodgeco.com ELCO Mutual Life & Annuity Julie and Jim Palm www.elcomutual.com Federated Insurance Matthew Specht www.federatedinsurance.com Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association Kari A. Hubbard www.forestlawnmn.com FRSR Crematory Repair Eric Braden www.f rsr.us Funeral Directors Life John Harrington, Scott Tufto www.funeraldirectorslife.com
Memory Share Shane White www.memoryshare.com Messenger Bob Hoaglund www.messengerstationery.com Midwest Medical Examiners Office Shane Sheets www.midwestmedicalexaminer.com My Trusted Carpet Cleaners Tim Ross www.mytrustedcarpetcleaners.com Northwestern Casket Co. Thomas Dunleavy www.nwcasket.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
TO MFDA’ S 2022 ALLIED MEMBERS
SPECIAL THANKS
Scene Clean Nate Berg, Jenny Berg www.scenecleanmn.com Smith Carriage Company, LLC Ben Smith www.smithcarriageco.com
Wieser Vault Matt Wieser, Todd Wieser www.wieser-doric.com www.mnfuneral.org 27
Garfield Refining Emma Milano www.garfieldrefining.com/industries/ creamatory Great Western Insurance Company Doug Stolt www.gwic.com Grief News Matthew Kiell www.grief.news Healing Hearts Connection (Formerly Children’s Grief Connection) Jessica Moujouros www.childrensgriefconnection.com
University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Michael LuBrant www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu
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