U of M Mortuary Science Update By Michael LuBrant, Program Director
Hello Colleagues!
conducted a research study on issues relating to licensure and professional practice in Minnesota. The results of that research were presented to practitioners this past February as part of a 2-CEU webinar. We had over 200 attendees who participated via Zoom. In addition to my presentation, MFDA representatives discussed implications of the research for public policy, in the context of 149a. Currently, the results of this research are being used to create new laws and policies that will help funeral directors in
high-quality continuing education to our alumni and practitioners working in funeral service. As many of you know, last year, in partnership with MFDA, I
At the time of this writing, it looks like MN 149a will be revised later this year to allow for unlicensed individuals to perform removals. Assuming there are
no changes to the draft language of the current bill (and also that the bill passes Greetings to you all from the Program of and is signed into law), a requirement Mortuary Science here at the U! As the for becoming a transfer care specialist days get longer and the temperatures (TCS) will involve seven hours of training, begin to warm up, we are excited to through an educational program to be share with you many updates and news approved by the Commissioner of Health. items relating to our program. I have been working closely with MFDA, Commencement Ceremony faculty, staff, the Medical School, and For the first time in two years, we will other stakeholders to ensure that the once again be back on campus for Program of Mortuary Science here at the graduation! As you may recall, in 2020, U is able to create and offer training of as a result of COVID we had to host our the highest quality to meet the needs of commencement gathering funeral service professionals. online. The event included a We envision an online training small “gift giving” ceremony class that will be delivered with students and faculty (and asynchronously (i.e., to be led by faculty member Judge available whenever someone Doug Meslow), held remotely wants to take it), and built via Zoom. Last year, we were to include, at a minimum, able to hold an outdoor all required subjects to be ceremony at beautiful presented in the proposed Lakewood Cemetery, which revisions to 149a. Work has allowed families to gather already begun on creating MFDA and the Mortuary Science Dept. presented results from their in-person with graduates. this course, and we welcome research study on issues relating to licensure and professional practice Members of the classes of any questions and/or in Minnesota via Zoom in February. 2020 and 2021 were able to suggestions you may have! attend the Lakewood ceremony, and it More information will be presented via their daily work serving families across was great to have graduates from both our website (www.mortuaryscience.umn. Minnesota. Our goal is to offer more classes together for that special day. edu) and also sent out to practitioners continuing education presentations This year, we will once again return to via email. (Note: If you are not currently (remotely, via Zoom) every one to two the Coffman Memorial Union for our receiving emails from us, please let us months, so please reach out to me (mpl@ ceremony and reception events honoring know and we will be sure to add you umn.edu) if you have any questions and/ the Class of 2022. We look forward to to our mailing list - just send a note to or ideas for topics you would like to see welcoming graduates and their families mortsci@umn.edu) And as always, please as part of our CEU events. And if you to campus for what we know will be a reach out to me with any questions you miss an event, fear not! We post them beautiful and memorable ceremony and may have! online on our website, and you can find them here: https://med.umn.edu/ day for celebration. We look forward to seeing many of you at mortuaryscience/professional-resources the upcoming MFDA Convention in May Community Outreach and Professional (look under “Past Webinars) at Treasure Island. Be well, and have a Development wonderful spring! Transfer Care Specialist Training We continue in our efforts to provide All best, Michael LuBrant Director - Program of Mortuary Science University of Minnesota
Currently, the results of this research are being used to create new laws and policies that will help funeral directors in their daily work serving families across Minnesota. 16 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2022
