MFDA Bulletin - Winter 2018 by Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc.

WINTER 2018

BULLETIN

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY FOR THE MINNESOTA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS.

Happy New Year!

“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” - Brad Paisley

NEW! Complete Your CE Online New service available from MFDA at the end of January The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association has teamed with FuneralCE®, a service of WebCE®, to offer online continuing education courses for funeral professionals. These online CE courses for Funeral Directors and Embalmers provide instant results and feedback, unlimited free retakes and online certificates of completion. Courses are approved by the state boards as well as the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practitioners (APFSP) for Certified Funeral Service Practitioners (CFSP). MFDA Members: you will receive a discount on all CE courses for you and your staff – an email will be sent to members with this discount code when webpage is launched at the end of January. • 24x7 mobile-ready access • Highest quality content • Unlimited, free exam retakes • Fastest state reporting • Live customer support

Change Service Requested Minnesota Funeral Directors Association 7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311

MFDA Bulletin

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Minnesota Funeral Directors Association BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STAFF AND OTHER CONTACTS President Ashley Czaplewski Hoff Funeral and Cremations Service St. Charles, MN hoff.ashleymarie@gmail.com

Secretary Chris Jacobson Bell Brothers Funeral Home Duluth, MN chris.jacobson@tlcofduluth.com

Treasurer Dan Dahl Dahl Funeral Home East Grand Forks, MN dahlfuneralhome@midconetwork.com

Past President Jeff Hartquist Hartquist Funeral Home Luverne, MN engebretson@iw.net

In This Issue Executive Director’s Report........................................................ 4 Message From the President....................................................... 5 Renew Membership Today..........................................................6 MFDA Career Center.................................................................. 7 U of M Mortuary Sciences Update......................................... 8,10 WINTER 2018 Legislative Update............................................10 Book Review: Confessions of a Funeral Director..........................12 Call for Session Presenters........................................................13 Upcoming CE Opportunities in Minnesota.............................13 NFDA Music and Webcasting Licenses............................... 14-15 In Memoriam..........................................................................16-17 NFDA Work/Life Resource Program........................................18 2017 MFDA Allied Members......................................................19

2018 MFDA Calendar

DISTRICT DIRECTORS Kelly J. Kelly (District 1) Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes Kasson, MN kjkell0803@yahoo.com

Tim Anderson(District 10) Anderson Funeral Home Twin Valley, MN timanderson@arvig.net

Tonya D. Borth (District 2) Schoenbauer Funeral Home Le Center, MN tonya_04@hotmail.com

Chris Jacobson (District 11) Bell Brothers Funeral Home, Duluth, MN chris.jacobson@tlcofduluth.com

Marquis Madison (District 3) Totzke Funeral Home Fulda, MN totzke@mchsi.com

POLICY BOARD REPRESENTATIVE Pat Patton, CFSP

Lance Peterson (District 4/5) Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Service Willmar, MN lance@petersonbrothers.com Scott Benson (District 6 & 7) Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, Inc. Robbinsdale, MN sbenson@delmore.com Brian Dingmann (District 8) Dingmann Funeral Care Annandale, MN brian@dingmannfuneral.com Steve Sheets, CFSP (District 9) Schoeneberger Funeral Home Perham MN sheets.steve@yahoo.com

Patton-Schad Funeral Home Sauk Centre, MN ppatton@pattonschad.com

January 31, 2018 MFDA 2018 Convention Call for Session Presenters Deadline See page 13 for details. March 3, 2018 Children’s Grief Connection 9th Annual Frunge Lola’s Lakehouse, Waconia, MN April 6-8, 2018 Hearts of Hope Family Grief Camp McGregor, MN May 21-23, 2018 MFDA’s 128th Annual Convention Bloomington, MN

PAST PRESIDENT REP Norman Larsen

Green-Larsen Mortuary International Falls, MN nlarsen@greenlarsen.com

STAFF Darlyne Erickson, CAE Executive Director

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.

763-416-0124 612-940-8169 (cell) info@mnfuneral.org

How We Accomplish This:

Amy Beckham (Administrative)

• Advancing the value of funeral service consistent with the changing needs of society

amy@mnfuneral.org

Sue Sack (Accounting)

• Essential and enduring principles that guide our organization’s behaviors and actions

• Advocacy on behalf of consumers and members

sue@mnfuneral.org

• Visionary leadership trust and confidence in staff and volunteer leadership

Kathy Sheridan (Membership/Convention)

• Promotion of integrity; honest and ethical behavior within the funeral industry

Miki Tufto (Communications/Convention)

• Recognize the importance of education as a vehicle to enhance both public service and public image

kathy@mnfuneral.org

• Collaboration with others in the interest of consumers and members

mtufto@mnfuneral.org

7046 East Fish Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311 p: (763) 416-0124 • f: (763) 416-0124 e: info@mnfuneral.org • ww.mnfuneral.org The MFDA Bulletin is published quarterly for MDFA members. Copyright ©2018 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

Executive Director’s Report As I began to write this article on the value of membership in MFDA, I found myself looking in the mirror and thinking back on my own experience as member of my professional association for the past 26 years. Associations North’s (formerly known as Midwest Society of Association Executives) mission is simple: to advance and serve associations in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Associations North is your resource for professional development, continuing education, career growth, and connecting you with other association professionals. Associations North is a community of more than 1,200 members from nearly 350 Midwest associations. Note: MFDA has been a member of this group since 1993. I have found that the benefits of being able to communicate, advocate, collaborate

and celebrate the profession of association management benefit not only myself, but MFDA as well. We learn from one another and connect on many levels and in the end, it makes us all better in what we do. The relationships we make in our chosen profession are key to our success in managing a funeral home or an association. It all goes back to relationships. As I’m writing this article I am listening to my co-worker talk to a potential supplier of audiovisual services and I am hearing “So you have worked with XYC Association? We know that group well and I’ll be talking with them about their experiences with your service”.

through our programs, legislative representation and service to Minnesotans. Your financial support is key, not only our success but yours as well. One more thing…I want to give a big shout out to our Board of Directors. They have devoted a great deal of time to make sure that MFDA continues an upward trajectory. I enjoy watching the relationships that form within this group and feel that the benefit goes both ways. So that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!! I’m not sure how many times we can say thank you, but understand we are truly grateful for your support. Darlyne Erickson

The connections are of great value! So, YES, I am encouraging you to continue your support of MFDA’s mission to enhance and support funeral service excellence

MFDA Executive Director

Willmar

Michael D. Sharkey, Esq., CFSP, CCO

Precast

Chair, Mortuary Law Practice Group Attorney • Funeral Director

Company

Attorney Sharkey provides advice, counsel and litigation services for funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories.

952-525-6990 msharkey@cvmmlaw.com

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4 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2018

IN THE HEART OF SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA Serving the burial vault needs of funeral professionals in: • • • • • • •

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An exciting road ahead! By Ashley Czaplewski, MFDA President

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. It’s hard to believe the Holiday season is here and gone already. It is one of my most favorite times of the year; the snow (or maybe lack of), the Christmas music, the giving spirt of those around us and most importantly time with our friends and family. Your membership renewals should be coming to you shortly if they haven’t already. Thank you for your support of MFDA. Without each and everyone of our members, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Enclosed in your renewal is a Membership Needs and Satisfaction Survey. The survey can also be completed by visiting www.surveymonkey. com/r/2018MFDA. I would encourage you to please take the time to complete this survey to help us find better ways to continue to serve you. Our workforce shortage committee has begun discussions and has decided to proceed with a member survey regarding ideas and opinions regarding our current

Thank you for your support of MFDA. Without each and everyone of our members, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. workforce shortage and what we can do to improve the situation. We are also hoping to reach out to individuals who have left funeral service with the hopes of having some light shed on why they left. If you know of anyone who has left the profession and would be willing to take the survey, please pass their contact information onto the MFDA office so we can include them. Unfortunately, there isn’t a listing out there of these individuals. Please watch for this member survey in the near future and encourage everyone on at your firm to complete it. The more opinions and ideas we have, the better.

Mark your calendars for the 9 th Annual Frunge benefiting Children’s Grief Connection, Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. If you have never made the “frunge” into the icy cold waters of Lake Waconia at Lola’s Lakehouse or attended to cheer on the crazy “frungers,” I would encourage you to put it on your calendars. A great time is had by all. I have made the frunge twice, surviving both times, and am hoping to do it again this year! I have personally been involved with CGC since its early days and have seen first hand the impact it has on the families and children served. I hope to see you there! Thank you for all you do for funeral service and the families we serve. Regards,

Ashley Ashley Czaplewski 2017-2018 MFDA President

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WINTER 2018 Legislative Update By Judy Cook,Full Cook Girard Associates Page (7-1/2 w x 10 h)

REACH KEY FUNERAL HOME DECIONMAKERS!

Rates 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 5

Renew Today: MFDA Membership Has Its Benefits Thank you for your past membership with MFDA. We look forward to your continued investment in the future of funeral service by renewing your 2018 MFDA membership. MFDA is a member-driven organization and we need to hear from you about your industry challenges, operations, preferences, and opinions. Please complete our 2018 Member Needs and Satisfaction Survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018MFDA. This essential information helps us provide you with better service through more beneficial programs, resources, and representation. Why join our community of funeral professionals through MFDA? For more than 127 years, we have promoted excellence in the funeral service profession. A summary of member benefits are as follows:

• MFDA committees work to address relevant topics associated with funeral service (Workforce, Outreach/Public Relations, Convention, and Legislative) • Third MFDA Leadership Academy (sponsored through Kelco Supply Co, MFDA, and MFDA Service Corp) is currently underway for young professionals • Partnerships with Funeral Directors Life, Federated Insurance, and the Children’s Grief Connection

• Effective lobbying & advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol

• Promoting the value of funeral service to consumers that call our office or visit our website

• Providing quality continuing education throughout the state of Minnesota

• Direct voice to the Minnesota Department of Health – Mortuary Science Section

• MFDA’s 128th Annual Convention at the DoubleTree in Bloomington will offer CEUs in the three required categories for funeral directors, as well as opportunities to network with colleagues and funeral industry vendors • District meetings throughout the state in the fall • Preneed insurance CEU course offered in the fall

EDUCATE. COMMUNICATE. ADVOCATE. COLLABORATE. CELEBRATE.

• Crematory Operator Certification courses • Coming in January 2018 – Online CEU courses (discounted rate for members) • MFDA Career Center connects employers with job seekers and members receive a 50% discount on job postings

6 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2018

• Continued advocacy for funeral service to related organizations (i.e. hospice, cemeteries, grief educators) • Providing member benefits such as the membership directory, members-only website, Bulletin, membersonly emails, and customizable specialty forms and consumer brochures MFDA is more than an association; we are an extension of your staff. We are an advocate for your success as a funeral service professional. We hope you will consider renewing your MFDA membership for 2018; your support and involvement is critical to the success of our profession.

Sincerely yours, Ashley Czaplewski Darlyne Erickson, CAE MFDA President Executive Director

Announcing MFDA’s CAREER CENTER at www.mnfuneral.org ,

The perfect funeral director candidate could be closer than you think. Employer Benefits

Looking f classifieor the MFDA d ad All class ifieds ca s page? nn on

• Access highly-qualified, professional candidates. • Generate high return on recruitment advertisement spending.

o line in th e MFDA w be found at mnfun Career C eral.care enter er websit e.com

• 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

www.mnfuneral.org 7

U of M Morturary Sciences Update By: Michael LuBrant

Dear Colleagues, My hope that you are all enjoying a very happy New Year, and that time spent with family and friends over this holiday season was enjoyable. In another week, students will be returning to campus for the start of spring semester classes. Before we know it, May will arrive and we will be holding our commencement exercises. How quickly time does pass by! We had a very busy fall here in the program. One event we hosted that I would like to mention is the networking fair we held in early October. We had 17 firms from across Minnesota, as well as South Dakota and Wisconsin, reserve a table at the Campus Club for the purpose meeting and greeting our students. The feedback we received from the event was positive, and we plan to host another networking activity again this coming spring. Please keep an eye out on our website (www.mortuaryscience.umn. edu) for a complete listing of upcoming events and activities. Some of you may be aware that 2018 is a re-accreditation year for our program. In September, we will be visited by a Site Visit Team from our accrediting agency, the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). Site visits happen every seven years, and are required in order for us to maintain our specialized ABFSE accreditation. In preparation for our visit, we are working on our Self-Study report, a fairly lengthy document that considers the means by which we comply with the accreditation Standards set forth by the ABFSE. Stakeholders in this process not only include our faculty, students, and Advisory Board members, but also all of you who value our program and are concerned with its success.

As part of this review process, we welcome any questions or comments you would like to share with us about our program. Comments may be sent to my attention at mpl@umn.edu. A complete overview of the accreditation process, as well as a link to the accreditation Standards, can be found at the ABFSE website: http://www.abfse.org/html/ committee.html Our last site visit took place in 2011. During that review, the Site Visit Team discussed several program strengths, and no concerns relating to our compliance with the Standards were noted. Additionally, we received a special commendation from the Committee on Accreditation for the comprehensiveness and overall quality of our Self-Study report. We are working hard to have similar success with our reaccreditation process this year. As many of you know, we place students at clinical sites throughout Minnesota as part of their experiential learning activities. We are fortunate to have over 80 funeral homes (and counting!) willing to accept and mentor our students. Prior to clinical placement, we are required by the ABFSE to make site inspections to ensure proper training of preceptors, compliance with required safety protocols (as required of OSHA, etc.), and adequate resources for students’ learning. Whereas faculty members Angela Woosley and Giselle Wynia work with students and preceptors to set up and monitor the course and students’ completion of its requirements, I conduct the mandatory pre-placement inspections. Visiting funeral homes and meeting with our preceptors is one of the parts of my job I enjoy the most. I log in excess of 2,500 miles each year between site visit inspections and MFDA District Meetings. (My 2001 Buick LeSabre now has 305,000 miles on it, and is still going strong!) During my inspections

and meetings, preceptors share with me their questions, thoughts, joys, concerns - and yes, occasional frustrations - about their work in funeral service in general, and interactions with our students, in particular. I always learn something new each time I visit clinical sites to do these trainings and inspections. And one valuable benefit to funeral homes, I am told, is that I sometimes find things that need to be remedied prior to a state inspection. I very much appreciate how we are able to work with preceptors in a collaborative manner for the betterment of our profession. Perhaps you have never had a clinical student before. If serving as a preceptor and clinical placement site is something you would like to learn more about, please let me know. One of the things a lot of funeral directors have wanted to discuss with me in recent years is their concern about filling workforce vacancies. Minnesota currently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, which of course makes it increasingly difficult for employers to find workers in all fields to fill job openings. As the state’s population ages, more job openings are expected as current workers retire. Over the past decade or so, we have witnessed a number of changes that are impacting the labor force in funeral service. These changes include funeral home mergers and consolidations, a decrease in next-generation family members entering the profession (today only about 10% of children of owners enter the family business), and perhaps most significant, changes in how young people today view work in the context of larger life goals and professional aspirations. Continued on page 10…

“I always learn something new each time I visit clinical sites to do these trainings and inspections. And one valuable benefit to funeral homes, I am told, is that I sometimes find things that need to be remedied prior to a state inspection.” 8 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2018

Super Bowl LII

Fact Sheet

Hennepin County Medical Examiner The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will be moving its forensic operations out of downtown during the Super Bowl 52 festivities.

Operational Time Period Sunday, January 28 at 1800hrs – Monday, February 5, 2018 at 1200hrs

Contacting the Medical Examiner To contact the Medical Examiner call 612-215-6300. We will continue to provide 24/7 death investigation, autopsy and body release services. Our business office will be closed to walk-in customers during this time. For additional information about the Medical Examiner’s Office visit our website (www.hcmeo.us). Investigators located at off-site locations in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, Savage and Apple Valley will continue to respond to scenes in Hennepin, Dakota and Scott counties.

Autopsies

Metro First Call 1 2 6 0 0 C re e k V i e w A v e Savage, MN 55378

Medical Examiner autopsies will be performed at the Metro First Call facility in Savage, MN. HCMC hospital autopsies will be performed at the main office downtown Minneapolis.

Body Releases

Hennepin County Medical Examiner A d m i n i s tra t i v e O f f i c e 530 Chicago Ave Minneapo lis, M N 55415 Phone: 612 .215.6300 Dr. Andr ew B aker, Chief 612.215. 6312 andr ew .bak er @hennepin. us Mel issa L a ll ak, A d mi nis tr at or 612.215. 6328 mel issa .l al l ak @h e nn e pi n. us Shaw n Wilson, O ps Mgr 612.215. 6346 shaw n.wils on@hennepin. us

Decedents transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office will be stored and released from the Metro First Call facility during this time. HCMC Hospital deaths will be stored and released from the Medical Examiner’s Office. The Metro First Call facility will serve as a back-up location. Funeral Directors should call 612-215-6300 to verify the location of the decedent prior to making a removal. Removals can be done 24/7, however off peak hours may provide faster service.

Evidence Pick-Up/Drop Off Appointments for law enforcement agencies and crime lab’s picking up evidence will be scheduled after February 5. For high priority cases, contact the Medical Examiner’s Office to make special arrangements. Law enforcement agencies dropping off evidence should contact the Medical Examiner to make arrangements. www.mnfuneral.org 9

WINTER 2018 Legislative Update By Joe Sellwood, Cook Girard Associates

The 2018 legislative session will prove challenging in a number of ways. First, the recent Supreme Court ruling confirmed constitutionality of Governor Dayton’s line-item veto of legislative funding – leaving the legislature to pull funding from other areas in an attempt to remain solvent through late February when session begins and they can pass a funding bill. Second, a number of members of the legislature are running for governor and an already polarized climate may become even more political. Additionally, Minnesota Management and Budget’s November budget forecast projects a deficit of $188 million. While this may be a very small percentage of the overall state budget, it creates challenges for legislators. To top it all off, Governor Dayton’s recent appointment of Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith to the U.S. Senate elevates current President

of the Senate, Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville) to Lieutenant Governor. Sen. Fischbach has maintained that she can continue to serve in her elected position in the Senate as well as in the Governor’s office. A showdown in court is expected. While not impossible, it is hard to imagine meaningful legislation being signed into law by Governor Dayton unless relations between the legislative and executive branch warm quickly. Despite the challenges of the uncharted territory facing this legislature, there is still work to be done. MFDA continues to work with the Department of Health and the Ad Hoc committee to find common ground on policies impacting the funeral industry. MFDA plans to move forward with the cremator operator language, though there could be challenges to the proposal due to the budget shortfall.

MFDA is also working with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs to increase the current limit of $8,500 that individuals can set aside for funeral costs once they enter a VA facility. We’re currently gathering data to support an increase to a more reasonable amount so that veterans can continue to receive dignified funerals. The 2018 session begins on Tuesday, February 20th and will end no later than Monday, May 21st. Cook Girard Associates will keep MFDA members up to date on legislation impacting the funeral industry. Joe Sellwood Manager of Government Affairs Cook Girard Associates (o) 651-917-6001 jsellwood@cookgirard.com

U of M Morturary Sciences Update continued… I think most people would agree that work in our profession is a vocation, that is to say, a calling. Unless you have a deep passion for work serving families during the most difficult time of their lives, chances are good that you probably will not remain in this profession for a long period of time. Finding the best individuals to recruit into our profession who have this calling – which to say possess the heart of a funeral director - is a very important task that is by no means easy to accomplish. Retaining outstanding employees is likewise also challenging, especially today when there is intense competition for workers who are intelligent, articulate, and highly motivated. Practitioners in funeral service are deeply concerned about the need to fill

10 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2018

openings – both current and future – in our profession. We must therefore continue to work together to recruit, educate, and retain the very best people possible to serve our communities as funeral service professionals. As you may recall, back in 2001, prior to the start of the Great Recession, we also witnessed a shortage in workers to fill job openings in funeral service. At that time, and at the behest of MFDA, I conducted a state-wide workforce survey that considered issues of education, split licensure, removal / transfer personnel credentialing, and salary and work conditions, in the context of professional practice. Today, some practitioners wonder to what extent changing current licensing requirements might be helpful in addressing labor

shortages. I plan to perform another practitioner survey this year, with the goal of gathering data to assist MFDA, the Health Department, and other stakeholders in developing policy aimed at addressing workforce concerns in Minnesota. Please keep an eye out for an e-mail from me requesting your participation in this research effort. I also welcome your comments and questions, either by e-mail or phone (612624-3980). On behalf of all of us here at the program, we wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Sincerely, Michael LuBrant

MFDA Order Form Fax Orders to: 763.249.0394

Brochures

Package Quantity Price Per Tax Per Size Ordered Package Package

Description of Item Straight Answers About the Funeral Why Pre Arrange and Pre Fund Funeral

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When Death Occurs Away From Home Medical Assistance Limits on Funeral Pre-Arrangements

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Book Review: “Confessions of a Funeral Director” by Caleb Wilde By Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez, LLC

It was not the way things were supposed to be. As a teenager, you’d mapped out your life with a timetable. You’d travel there, visit this, see things you wanted to see and experience that which you desired before resuming your schedule. It would be a meaningful life, filled with adventure. But, as in the new book “Confessions of a Funeral Director” by Caleb Wilde, had you planned for a meaningful ending? Caleb Wilde was born into death.

Brown Wilbert

His father was a fifth-generation funeral director; his mother would’ve been a fourth-generation funeral director. Both sets of grandparents lived in their respective funeral homes and as he grew up, Wilde played near caskets and enjoyed family dinners in a room that doubled as seating for funerals. Death, for him, was no big deal. Except that it was. He couldn’t help but think about death, as he lay awake in his bedroom above a funeral home. In his mind, he turned over issues of God and death, hellfire and eternity until he ultimately decided that his “childhood God was a God who was broken apart,” and he decided to do something about it. Eschewing the family business, Wilde went instead on a search to “create good” and to “reimagine God to be different from [a] God who had the power to stop tragedy but chose not to do it.”

Inc.

But death wasn’t done. Though pulled toward a faith-based lifestyle, Wilde instead returned to the family business. He’d done so “Somewhat reluctantly,” but he’d come to see the possibility of participating in “healing the world” through small acts at a small funeral home – although he still had much to learn. From a man who seemed to know everybody in their Pennsylvania town, Wilde saw that “anyone can… be a part of the death-care process.” At a nursing home, he participated in a unique method of honoring the dead. From a grieving friend, he learned that there are many ways to worship. And he came to understand that “it’s not the ending that defines us, but how we live out our narrative.” Six feet. Or maybe more; at any rate, “Confessions of a Funeral Director” is deep. It’s also thoughtful. And refreshing.

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Venetian with Farm Scene Legacy Order Vaults, Caskets, & Urns Online at Brown-Wilbert.com 12 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2018

Most memoirs by funeral directors take an anecdotal turn at some point, and author Caleb Wilde’s book is no exception: he widely sprinkles client stories inside his own but here, each is taken as a lesson and a reason for introspection. Yes, observant readers may spot an occasional smile, but this is more a memoir for questioners in faith (particularly as related to current events) and for those who have what Wilde calls a “death negative narrative,” which is the notion that “all deaths [are] bad.” If you’re willing to spend time in thought, you’ll find a serene, silent opposite to that here, and maybe some comfort for our times. Not all deaths are bad, and if you need to know it today, then “Confessions of a Funeral Director” is how a meditative book should be.

Call for Session Presenters Now Open Have you heard a great speaker recently or have a funeral industry topic you’d like to speak on? The MFDA Convention Committee is seeking breakout sessions for our upcoming MFDA Convention, May 21-23 at the DoubleTree Minneapolis South in Bloomington. Feel free to complete or share our Call for Session Presenters form available at www.mnfuneral.org/?page=coned – deadline for submissions is January 31.

Save the Date for These Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities in Minnesota MFDA is planning on additional CEU opportunities throughout 2018 outside of our annual convention. Here are a few currently in the works with additional opportunities to follow soon: NFDA Cremation Certification Program – Monday, May 21, DoubleTree Minneapolis South in Bloomington – Registration to open in February. The recognized standard for funeral service professionals, NFDA’s Cremation Certification Program covers cremation ethics, crematory operations and maintenance, safety, compliance and liability issues, cremation customer service, and much more. If you offer cremation to the families you serve, whether you currently own or operate a crematory, are thinking of opening one or want to evaluate a third-party crematory, this training is necessary for your success. This course is based on Cremation Standards for Funeral Service Professionals, published by NFDA, which attendees receive upon arrival at the seminar. Obtaining certification requires passing the online NFDA Cremation Certification Test within a designated time frame. A test link is provided to candidates whose complete attendance has been verified in writing by the onsite instructor. InSight Certified Celebrant Training – Wednesday, August 8-Friday, August 10, location TBD. An InSight Certified Celebrant is a person who has been trained and certified by InSight to meet the needs of families during their time of loss. A funeral Celebrant serves by providing a funeral service, memorial service, or tribute that is personalized and individualized to reflect the personality and life-style of the deceased after consultation with the family and loved ones and coordination with the funeral home. Individuals from all walks of life have come to learn how to provide meaningful, personalized, individualized funeral services.

Are you: • seeking ways to convey the value of the funeral? • at a loss for words when families ask for direct cremation? • fearful of where your firm will be in five years? Lacy Robinson, CFSP, NFDA director of member development, addresses these and other topics through the exclusive, new NFDA Arranger Training program. Learn how to make the most of the arrangement conference through a creative, five-step process you’ll only discover here. This high-energy, interactive program provides you with the tools you need to convey the value of the funeral to families and partner with them to design memorable life tribute events. Through a combination of small- and large-group discussions, problemsolving and creative collaboration, you’ll leave with fresh approaches and new ideas to transform your arrangement conferences. You’ll also take home comprehensive tools and resources you need to initiate an action plan for your team, including exclusive guidelines from T. Scott Gilligan, NFDA General Counsel; Dr. Jason Troyer and other notable sources!

Save the Date!

MFDA’s 128th Annual Convention May 21-23, 2018 Bloomington, MN

NFDA Arranger Training – Thursday, September 6, location TBD. Creating memorable customer experiences and life tribute events.

www.dodgeco.com https://shop.dodgeco.com

GREGG BRIGHT 612-916-6667 800-443-6343

GBRIGHT@DODGECO.COM

HELPING YOU MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE www.mnfuneral.org 13

NFDA Music and Webcasting Licenses NFDA Webcasting License

NFDA Music License

The music license that NFDA has offered for over 20 years covers the performance of music (live or recorded) that is played at any funeral service, whether at the funeral home or at another facility as long as it is performed in connection with some type of funeral or memorial service or ceremony.

NFDA has expanded its music license program, offering the lowest rate available in the profession.

While the music license covers performance, a different license is required for a funeral home to broadcast musical performances over the internet. Funeral homes that offer funeral webcasting services are violating copyright laws when they broadcast over the internet any funeral services that contain copyrighted music. NFDA has finalized agreements with BMI, ASCAP and SESAC to offer the only group webcasting license available to funeral homes in the market, enabling you to legally broadcast funeral services that include copyrighted music over the internet.

Because of NFDA’s commitment to allied associations, it is extending an invitation to FAMIC (Funeral and Memorial Information Council) member organizations and NFDA federated state associations to participate in this offering. To qualify for the $243 music license only fee, a participant must be a member of one of those organizations. This is the same rate that NFDA members currently receive. The license covers all three licensing organizations—BMI, SESAC and ASCAP. FAMIC members include: • National Funeral Directors Association • International Order of the Golden Rule • National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association • Selected Independent Funeral Homes • Life Insurers Council • Casket & Funeral Supply Association • Monument Builders of North America • National Concrete Burial Vault Association • Funeral Service Foundation • International Memorialization and Supply Association

14 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2018

Though the music license is available to FAMIC and federated state associations, the program is administered by NFDA, and music license payments should be sent directly to NFDA. The $243 license fee does not include membership to NFDA, which provides benefits such as The Director magazine, free marketing and public relations materials, and discounted continuing education offerings. “This is an issue that has far-reaching effects on the funeral service profession,” says NFDA Chief Executive Officer Christine Pepper, CAE. “Now that the music licensing agencies have granted NFDA this opportunity, we can provide another option for firms in the country, particularly the smaller firm. If a significant number of funeral directors, cremationists and cemeterians respond positively, we may have even more bargaining power with the music licensing agencies, resulting in an even lower rate in the future.

“Music License Only” and “Music Webcasting License Fee” NFDA offers the lowest rate available in funeral service

13625 Bishop’s Drive Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005-6607 Toll free: 800.228.6332 Local: +1.262.789.1880 Fax: 262.789.6977

Music License You are eligible for the $250 “Music License Only” fee if you are a member of at least one of the following associations: NFDA, NFD&MA, OGR, SIFH or an NFDA federated state association (choice or partnership). The three licensing organizations, BMI, SESAC and ASCAP, have your funeral home on file as previously having a music license. The 1984 U.S. Copyright Law requires a music license for all establishments. With NFDA, you pay only $250 to avoid penalties of up to $30,000. Don’t take that risk. You’ll have peace of mind through Dec. 31, 2018 in knowing you’re not violating the law.

Webcasting License While the music license covers performance, a different license is required for a funeral home to broadcast musical performances over the internet. Funeral homes that offer funeral webcasting services are violating copyright laws when they broadcast over the internet any funeral services that contain copyrighted music. NFDA has finalized agreements with BMI, ASCAP and SESAC to a webcasting license that enables you to legally broadcast funeral services that include copyrighted music over the internet. With NFDA, you pay only $49 per website to avoid penalties of up to $30,000. You’ll have peace of mind through Dec. 31, 2018 in knowing you’re not violating the law.

To sign up for this special offer, fax this form to NFDA at 262.789.6977 I am a member of (check all that apply): r National Funeral Directors Association

r Selected Independent Funeral Homes

r National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association

r State Association ______________________ (name of state)

r International Order of the Golden Rule

Locations to be licensed: (To list additional locations, please make copies of this form.) Main Location:

Main Location:

Company:______________________________________

Mailing Address: ________________________________

_______________________________________________

Street Address: ________________________________

City:___________________________________________

State, Zip: _____________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________

Fax: ___________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________

Website: _______________________________________

Total # of Locations for music license ______ x $250 = $__________ Amount Due

* Fax Back to NFDA at: 262-789-6977 *

Total # of websites for webcasting license ______ x $49 = $__________ Amount Due Total Due $______________ Signature _____________________________________ Contact Person (please print) ____________________________________ For Credit Card Payment: r American Express

r Discover

r MasterCard

Card Number _______________________________________

r Visa

Exp. Date ____________

If paying by check, send a copy of this form, with payment made out to: National Funeral Directors Association 13625 Bishop’s Drive Brookfield, WI 53005-6607

MSRFORM

IN MEMORIAM Judith Myrna Ferrell, age 79, of Annandale died unexpectedly on Monday, October 9, 2017. Judy and her husband, David “Dub” Ferrell owned and operated the funeral home in Annandale from 1960-1980. Funeral Services were held October 13 at Zion Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. Thomas Queck officiating. Visitation was held October 12 at the church and one hour prior to the service on Friday also at the church. Judith Myrna Ferrell was born May 10, 1938, in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Russell and Marian (Strecker) Hart. Judy grew up in Annandale, where she also attended school. Following her high school graduation in 1956, Judy attended St. Cloud State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She briefly taught first grade in Mounds View. On June 21, 1959, Judy was united in marriage to David “Dub” Ferrell at Zion Lutheran Church. Their wedding was the first to be held in the present sanctuary. In addition to raising their 3 children, Judy worked alongside her husband, Dub, at various family businesses; including purchasing Dunton Funeral Home in 1960 and operating the funeral home as Ferrell Funeral Home until 1980, when they sold the funeral home to the Dingmann Family. Judy never held an official title in business, but she was the rock of the family. Judy continued to remain a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Annandale community. Always giving of her time, Judy spent countless hours delivering Meals on Wheels, sending cards to lift people’s spirits, volunteering in her grandchildren’s classrooms and attending their activities. She always made everyone she met feel special. Judy had an ongoing list of people she prayed for. If she told you she was praying for you, her prayers came from the bottom of her heart. In her spare time, Judy enjoyed reading, creating works of art through stained glass and

16 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2018

searching for new tricks she could play on anyone who walked through the door. Judy’s greatest enjoyment in life came from her family, especially being grandma to her six adoring grandchildren. Judy is survived by her husband of 58 years, David “Dub” of Annandale; children, Sue (Amanuel) Abeje of Minneapolis, Tim (Teresa) of Annandale, and Jon (Misty) of South Haven; 6 grandchildren, Samuel, Joseph, Christina, Nathan, Daniel, and Alexandra; sister-inlaw, Carleen Hart; brother-in-law, Dana Ferrell; sister-in-law, Deedee Ferrell; nieces & nephews, Sarah & Josh Hart, and Keith, Kris, and Kim Ferrell. Judy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jim Hart. Samuel and Joseph Abeje, Christina, Nathan, Daniel, and Alexandra Ferrell will serve as pallbearers. Rev. Ken Tatkenhorst will provide music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale. Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute, & Funeral Webcast online at www. dingmannfuneral.com. Jason W. Barton, licensed Minnesota Funeral Director, age 48, Wyndmere, ND, passed away November 6, 2017. A Funeral Service were held November 13 at Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton. Visitation was held on November 12 at Bethel Lutheran Church and one hour before the service at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton. Jason Walter Barton was born on May 14, 1969, in Breckenridge, MN, to Sandy Thiele and Lowell Barton. He grew up in Breckenridge and was raised by his mother, Sandy, and step-father, Ramon Springer. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1987 and then attended Moorhead State College in Moorhead, MN, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in accounting.

Jason married Colette Folkestad on September 14, 1991. They made their home in Wyndmere, ND, where they raised their five children. Jason worked at Bell Farms in Wahpeton for 12 years before he decided to follow his true calling for helping others and became a funeral director. Jason worked for the Vertin Company for 14 years at GlendeNilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN, Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge, MN, and most recently at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton. Jason was a kind, caring and compassionate person, which was a gift he shared with every family that he served. Helping people came naturally for Jason, and he was always willing to go the extra mile to help someone, no matter what the circumstance was. Jason was a man of faith and he passed that on to his children. He was very involved with the Wyndmere United Methodist Church, where he served on the Pastor Parish Committee. In 2002 he became a charter member of the Headwaters Lions Club in Wahpeton. Jason loved his family with all of his heart. He enjoyed taking his boys ice fishing and hunting and treasured taking his daughter, Serenity, to the father-daughter dance. Cindy and Jason had a tradition to go Christmas shopping for Colette every year. Jason and Colette opened their home and loved many foster children over the last 20 years. Jason is survived by his wife of 26 years, Colette; his children, Cindy, Colson, Connor, Jason Paul, and Serenity; his grandchildren, Lavinia and Shane Borgen; his mother, Sandy Springer; his brother, Brian (Kris) Barton; and numerous other family members. He was preceded in death by his father, Lowell Barton; his step-father, Ramon Springer; and his maternal and paternal grandparents. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wyndmere Education Foundation in the name of the Jason Barton Scholarship Fund.

Adeline P. Schneider, Grandmother of MFDA President Ashley Czaplewski, Motherin-Law of MFDA Past President Tim Hoff, and Mother of Jenny Hoff of Hoff Funeral Homes, age 87, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on December, 24, 2017 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center.

1-800-443-2773

1-844-219-9643

Family owned & operated for over 20 years!

Adeline was born on October 26, 1930, in Chanhassen Township, Carver County to Herbert H. and Pauline O. (Gregory) Kocks. She attended St. Victoria School, graduated from Chaska high School, and attended Faribault Vocational School. After high school, Adeline worked at the Star and Tribune as a secretary. She married Leander L. Schneider on May 5, 1951 in Victoria, Minnesota and the couple moved to the New Prague area in the spring of 1960. Tragically, Leander died 4 years later, leaving Adeline alone to raise their ten children, and in 1965, she took on the responsibility of raising a foster newborn infant for a half year. She was a wonderful homemaker and also worked as a housekeeper at Lynnville Treatment Center and finally, as a secretary at MN Valley Breeders, retiring from there in 1995. Adeline was also a tireless volunteer. She made many missionary rosaries, as many as 500 at a time. She was always active as a volunteer at the annual St. Wenceslaus Festival, delivered the Eucharist to home-bound parishioners, trained as a Befriender visitor, and delivered Meals-on-Wheels. She had a huge flower and vegetable garden and raised chicks, butchering over 2000 chickens per year while she raised her family. In her leisure time, Adeline loved playing Sheephead, while enjoying a bottle of beer and popcorn, her favorite snack! She loved nothing more than time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Adeline is survived by her 10 children, Sandy Grimm of Gaylord, Terry (Lori) Schneider of Cohasset, Tony (Bonnie) Schneider of New Prague, Neil Schneider of New Prague, Jane (Steve) Gerold of Jordan, Laurie (Steve) Meger of Belle Plaine, Jenny (Tim) Hoff of St. Charles, Fred (fiancé Judy) Schneider of Owatonna, Tim Schneider of North Miami Beach, FL, Mary ( Dave) Mach of New Prague; sisters, Dolores “Lorsie” Bloom of Hopkins, Beatrice “Bede” Lemire of Aitkin; sister-in-law, Ileen Kocks of Shakopee; 26 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leander on July 16, 1964; daughter-in-law, Shirley Schneider; brother, Donald Kocks; brothers-in-law, Ollie Lemire and Larry Bloom. Mass of Christian Burial was held December 27 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Kevin Clinton officiating. Visitation was held December 26 at Bruzek Funeral Home in New Prague. Please share a memory of Adeline and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.

New • Used • Leasing • Financing

www.4HEARSE.com www.mnfuneral.org 17

NFDA Work/Life Resource Program: Free Webinars in 2018 Did you know, the NFDA Work/Life Resource Program (EAP), a benefit of your membership, offers free monthly webinars to help you learn more about health, wellness, family matters, finance and other work-life balance topics? Here’s a sneak peek at the topics on tap for 2018: JANUARY • Distracted? Practice Mindfulness for Better Well-being • Mindfulness at Work: More Productivity, Less Stress • Everything in Its Place: Getting Organized

AUGUST • Parting Ways: Making Healthy Separations at Home or at Work • Helping Employees Reduce Work/Life Conflict for Greater Productivity • Technology and Keeping Your Kids Safe SEPTEMBER • Improve Your Health: Make a Positive Change! • Managing for Top Performance • Creating a Personal Development Plan

FEBRUARY • Life Disrupted? Managing Change • Leading Employees Through Life’s Ups and Downs • Self-care: Remaining Resilient

OCTOBER • Preventing and Reducing Anxiety • The Power of Positive Management • A Personal Guide to Building Resiliency and Coping With Change

MARCH • It’s

My Budget and I’m Sticking to It!

• Employee

Engagement: How to Maximize the Productivity of Your Employees

• Your

Routine Financial Checkup

APRIL

NOVEMBER • Healthy Eating and Stress Management • Finding Peace During the Holidays • Caring for Aging Relatives DECEMBER

• Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself

• Feeling Relationship Strain? Get Close Again

• Supporting the Caregivers in Your Workforce

• Enhance Your Leadership Skills by Managing With Intention

• Maintaining Respect and Civility in the Workplace

• Say What You Mean the Right Way: Healthy Forms of Communication

MAY • The Hidden Dangers of Prescription Drug Use

Watch www.nfda.org/worklife for more information on how to view these helpful webinars!

• Prescription Drug Use Is a Workplace Problem • DIY: Apps and Guides for Household Management JUNE • The Pillars of Health: Nurture a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul • Developing a Culture of Good Health • Improve Your Health With Proper Ergonomics and Frequent Movement JULY • Take a Break from Technology • Promoting Mental Fitness at Work • Eating Your Way to Wellness

The Work/Life Resource Program (EAP) offers a toll-free hotline staffed by experts who can suggest resources and offer support, along with unlimited access to online resources for: • Unlimited

phone/online consultations and up to three in-person sessions with a licensed counselor

• Online

referrals to: care services (adult, child or special needs care, summer camps, etc.); education services (school, tutoring, test prep, etc.); family services (parenting, adoption, pregnancy, infertility, etc.); convenience services (home repair, pet care, relocation, etc.); financial planning & referrals; legal information & referrals

• Articles,

tools, webinars, podcasts and more!

The support offered through the NFDA Work/Life Resource Program is free and confidential. It is available to you, your immediate family, your staff, and members of their immediate family. For more information, visit www.nfda.org/worklife (member log in required).

18 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2018

SPECIAL THANKS TO MFDA’S 2017 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. Anatomy Bequest Program Jake Anderson, Andrew Ashton, Paul Hill, Angela McArthur, Sarah Paulsen, John Straub, Tamara Voss www.bequest.umn.edu Answering Service for Directors Jason Bathurst www.myASD.com Artco Casket Company, Inc. Al Whitmer, Steve Doscher, Wally Gelecinskyj www.artcocasket.com Assured Decontamination Services Perry Ebner www.deconservices.com Avalon Daniel Seman www.medicalexaminerstransport.com Baines Professional Vehicles John Baines www.4hearse.com Batesville Mark Worley www.batesville.com Brown-Wilbert, Inc. Dave Gavin, Christopher Brown, Andrew Brown, Bruce Bratton, Brett Jacobsen, Maleia Kavitz, John Schmitt, Jeff Bauer, Jerry Brown www.brown-wilbert.com Children’s Grief Connection Coral Popowitz www.childrensgriefconnection.com Cottrell Law Firm William Cottrell www.cottrelllawfirm.com Cousineau, VanBergen, McNeese and Malone Michael Sharkey www.cvmmlaw.com Decorating Den Interiors Gina Wolleat www.gina.decoratingden.com Dodge Company Gregg Bright www.dodgeco.com Doric Dealers of MN Matt Wieser, Todd Weiser www.wieser-doric.com Federated Insurance Connor Odykirk www.federatedinsurance.com Foothills Planning Services Caryl DeBlieck www.foothillsplanningservices.com Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association Kari A. Hubbard www.forestlawnmn.com

Funeral Directors Life John Harrington Scott Tufto www.funeraldirectorslife.com Funeral Home Gifts Karl Weisenbeck www.funeralhomegifts.com GENiSYSS Mark Stepaniak www.genisyyss.com Hays Companies Scott Stence www.hayscompanies.com Heritage Bank Dean Steinwand www.heritagebankna.com Homesteaders Life Company Steve Byhre www.homesteaderslife.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 Keystone Funeral Home Design Build Russ Karasch www.keystone.db.com Laker Insurance Patrick Zalusky LifeSource Organ and Tissue Donation Melinda DeVries www.life-source.org MAS Communications Mary Reeves www.mascommunications.net Matthews Aurora Casket Roger Ruth, Alexis Smith www.matw.com Meadow Hill Corporation Maria Ross www.meadowhillco.com Medical Disposal Systems, Inc. Warren Winkelman www.mds-mn.com Messenger Bob Hoaglund www.messengerstationery.com Midwest Medical Examiners Office Angie Chalmers www.midwestmedicalexaminer.com Minneapolis Star Tribune Patrick Davis www.startribune.com

Minnesota Lions Eye Bank Sara McFee www.mnlionseyebank.org Monumental Sales Dave Dobe www.sunburstmemorials.com Northern Design Caskets Scott Haiby ndesign@paulbunyan.net Northwestern Casket Co. David Koll www.nwcasket.com Pekin Life Insurance Company Michelle Vos www.pekininsurance.com Peterson Law Office Bill Peterson www.petersonlawoffice.com Pluto Legal Cheryl Vos www.plutolegal.com Scene Clean, Inc. Nate Berg www.scenecleanmn.com Reflections & Tributes Brent Hartwig www.reflectionsandtributes.com Senior Advantage Consultants Julie and Jim Palm www.sradvantageconsultants.com Shepart Dawson Grover www.shepart.com Smith Schafer & Associates, Ltd. Michelle Gates www.smithschafer.com Steinhaus Supply Services Steven Steinhaus The Purple Cross Plan Denis Nordlum www.purplecross.com TransNational Payments Matt Gandolfo www.gotnp.com/funeral-homes United Heritage Insurance Bob Hanson www.unitedheritage.com University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Michael LuBrant www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu Vandalia Glassworks Erick Schmidt www.vandaliaglassworks.com Willmar Precast Company Ron Jasperson

www.mnfuneral.org 19

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