A MINNESOTA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBER PUBLICATION
Bulletin
WINTER 2023
MFDA Actively Engages to Advocate for the Association’s Priorities Minnesota Funeral Directors Association is in a strong position heading into the 2024 legislative session
U of M Mortuary Science Updates Amplifying Your Voice in Death Care - MFDA Membership
How Do You Retain Your Top Talent? Private bonus plans provide strong incentive for top team members to remain with your business — while also helping you stand out among other employers.
AN ASSOCIATION MEMBER BENEFIT FOR 119 YEARS DIRECT, LOCAL MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES AUTO PROPERTY AND CASUALTY SELF-INSURED RETENTION POLICYHOLDER SURPLUS LIVE VOICE CUSTOMER SERVICE MYSHIELD® TAILORED, INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC COVERAGE BUSINESS SUCCESSION AND ESTATE PLANNING STABLE FACE-TO-FACE RELATIONSHIPS FINANCIAL STRENGTH MUTUAL COMPANY DIRECT CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVES 500+ EXCLUSIVE ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDATIONS ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY NETWORK ANNUITIES
IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO PROTECT ACCA MEMBERS MFDA MEMBERS WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER LIFE AND DISABILITY INCOME PRIVATE BONUS PLANS KEY PERSON COVERAGE WORKERS COMPENSATION HIRING PRACTICES FEDERATED DRIVESAFESM TELEMATICS SOLUTION RISK MANAGEMENT RESOURCE CENTER EMPLOYMENT RELATED PRACTICES LIABILITY EMPLOYMENT LAW ATTORNEY NETWORK BONDING EMPLOYEE SAFETY TRAINING RISK MANAGEMENT ACADEMY CLI EN T CO NTACT CENT ER FIELD RISK CONSULTANTS CERTIFICATE CENTER SURETY SPECIALISTS MANAGED CARE CYBER
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Minnesota Funeral Directors Association
In This Issue President’s Message........................................................................ 4
MFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Director’s Report.......................................................... 5
President Joe Mahn Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Red Wing, MN jmahn62@hotmail.com
Secretary Jordan McReavy Seitz Washburn-McReavy Funeral Homes Minnespolis, MN jordan@wmchapels.com
Legislative Update........................................................................... 6
Treasurer Sara Thompson Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services Sauk Centre, MN sthompson@pattonschad.com
Past President Brian Dingmann Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services, Annandale, MN brian@dingmannfuneral.com
Choosing the Right Preneed Product..................................10-11
Political Action Committee (PAC).................................................7 MFDA Career Center........................................................................7 Amplifying Your Voice in Death Care...................................... 8-9 HR Question of the Month: Travel Away From Home............12 Lions Gift of Sight............................................................................13 Catholic Updates............................................................................13 University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Update......... 14-15 2024 NFDA Meet the Mentors Program.............................. 16-17 NFDA Celebrates Members for Excellence in Service..........18 Book Review: “Lay Them to Rest”..............................................19 In Memorium..............................................................................20-22
DISTRICT DIRECTORS Tyler Hoff (District 1) Worlein Funeral Home Austin, MN tyler@worlein.com
PAST PRESIDENT REP Dan Dahl Dahl Funeral Home, East Grand Forks, MN dan.dahl@midconetwork.com
Kevin Satre (District 2) Mankato Mortuary Mankato, MN kevin@mankatomortuary.com
MFDA STAFF
Jeff Hartquist (District 3) Hartquist Funeral Home Luverne, MN hartquistluverne@gmail.com Kyle TeBeest (District 4/5) Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Homes Montevideo, MN kyle@andersontebeest.com Open (District 6/7) Open (District 8) Jade Petznick (District 9) Larson Funeral Home Pelican Rapids, MN jade@larsonfuneralpelicanrapids.com Allison Cease (District 10) Cease Funeral Home Bagley, MN ceaseallison@gmail.com
Miki Tufto Executive Director 763-416-0124 (office) 651-235-3700 (cell) mtufto@mnfuneral.org
2022 MFDA Allied Members........................................................ 23
Upcoming Events MFDA’s 133rd Annual Convention April 30-May 2, 2024 Grand Casino Hinckley, Hinckley, MN NFDA Annual Convention October 20-23, 2024 New Orleans, LA
Amy Beckham Administrative amy@mnfuneral.org
Healing Hearts Connection Grief Camp April 6-7, 2024 Annadale, MN
Maria Olaez Accounting maria@mnfuneral.org
Watch for MFDA communications and check mnfuneral.org for updates.
Kathy Sheridan Membership/Convention kathy@mnfuneral.org Todd Pernsteiner MFDA Bulletin Design todd@pernsteiner.com
Who We Are: Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association (MFDA) is the statewide resource dedicated to supporting our member’s growth professionally, ethically, and operationally. Our Mission: Our mission is to enhance and support funeral service excellence through our programs, legislative representation and service to Minnesotans.
David Huso (District 11) Rowe Funeral Home Grand Rapids, MN husodavid@yahoo.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
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 • Advocacy on behalf of consumers and members • Visionary leadership trust and confidence in staff and volunteer leadership • Promotion of integrity; honest and ethical behavior within the funeral industry • Collaboration with others in the interest of consumers and members • Recognize the importance of education as a vehicle to enhance both public service and public image
MFDA Bulletin is published quarterly for MDFA members. Copyright ©2023 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
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Joe Mahn, MFDA Board President
MFDA at Work for You When thinking about the past six months since becoming president of MFDA I am coming to realize that Minnesota Funeral Directors Association is constantly helping support and enhance death care excellence. My year began with our spring convention where we had the opportunity to connect with friends, colleagues, and vendors. We also were able to learn ways to better ourselves, our business, and our communities, along with the chance to hear John O’Leary’s inspirational speech. What a powerful story and a great example to take whatever life throws at us and make the best out of it. In June, the Executive Committee and I had the opportunity to travel to Phoenix, AZ for the NFDA’s Leadership Conference. Here we visited with other state association leaders to learn and share different issues facing funeral service. We also learned about the leadership for the NFDA and then heard from participants from their emerging leader program.
In August I had the chance to host our in-person board meeting in Red Wing. It was great to be able to share my community with the board. During this meeting we identified the need for several task forces to help resolve some issues facing our members along with adding more value to our members. The Task Forces include: Transfer Care Specialist Training, BSI Contracts, and a Public Relations Campaign. These groups have specific goals focused on enhancing the members ability to serve their communities. During the end of September and beginning of October I was able to travel the state to six different regional meetings. I truly enjoyed being able to see the state, but more importantly see the members in those regions. It is always nice to be able to connect on a regional level to hear what is happening in that area. I am grateful for all the presenters that came with to these meetings to share their knowledge and help educate us on what is happening with different
facets of funeral service. The regional meetings are a great way to connect to those in your area. Things are constantly changing and it is nice to get the updated information from the experts. This coming week we will be meeting in person to set forth the 2024 plan for MFDA. This will involve all the committees including education, finance, legislative, and professional practice along with the task forces mentioned before. There are many different facets of MFDA going on behind the scenes. If you ever find yourself wanting to get involved, I would highly encourage you to reach out to your district representative, Miki or me. I always appreciate the chance to get together with such passionate people who do their best to help us enhance and support death care excellence. Here is looking forward to another great year with MFDA. n Joe Mahn MFDA President 2023-2024
I truly enjoyed being able to see the state, but more importantly see the members in those regions. It is always nice to be able to connect on a regional level to hear what is happening in that area.
Save the date! M F DA’ S 13 3 R D CO N V E NTI O N
April 30 - May 2, 2024 Grand Casino Hinckley 4 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2023
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT By Miki Tufto, MFDA Executive Director
Reflecting on My First Year as Your Executive Director I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on MFDA and my first full year as your executive director. MFDA is fortunate to have engaged and supportive board of directors and committee members who are all volunteering their time to focus on promoting death care excellence in Minnesota. Our day-to-day operations are guided by the vision of these volunteers, and I wanted to take time to recognize how important they are to our success. THANK YOU for all that you do! Our association is made up of more than 65% of funeral home members in Minnesota! MFDA is here to support your funeral home and its employees by providing benefits that impact your work serving grieving families. Your commitment to excellence in death care has not gone unnoticed, and we are honored to have you as part of our membership community. There are still 35% of funeral homes out there that would benefit from all that MFDA currently offers along with our plans for new benefits. This year I’ve been able to visit a number of potential member funeral homes and have these important conversations to emphasize the crucial role that
trade associations play in the success and growth of industries like ours. These conversations will continue in 2024 as I travel around Minnesota. I truly look forward to these conversations to learn more about their business and provide solutions of support as MFDA members. Being an MFDA member is not just joining an association—it’s joining a vibrant community that actively shapes the future of the death care industry. The array of benefits provided ensures that members are well-equipped, connected, and empowered to excel in their professional journey. For those seeking a collective voice in death care, MFDA membership is the key to amplifying your impact and influence. Earlier this month I was able to be part of a presentation again to a health science class about careers in mortuary science at my son’s high school, Hopkins High School. I joined University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science Professor Janet McGee and current Mortuary Science Student Levi to provide an overview of what is mortuary science and what are the responsibilities of a funeral director. Students in these health science classes have always had
many thoughtful questions during these presentations. Presenting young people with the prospect of a career as a funeral director is not just about filling a labor market need. It’s about nurturing a generation of compassionate and empathetic individuals who can make a positive impact on the lives of others. By breaking down stereotypes, emphasizing the diverse skill set required, and highlighting the importance of this profession, we pave the way for a new generation to embrace the meaningful and fulfilling path of a funeral director. I encourage you to take the opportunity within your own community to speak to young people about funeral director careers whenever possible. 2024 will continue to be a very busy year for MFDA and the death care industry in Minnesota. Your association will provide you with all the important communication updates to be in the know. Thank you for your continued support of MFDA! We look forward to serving you in the coming year and working together to advance the funeral service profession. - Miki
www.mnfuneral.org 5
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE By Joe Sellwood, Cook Strong Sellwood
MFDA Actively Engages to Advocate for the Association’s Priorities The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association is in a strong position heading into the 2024 legislative session, which starts on February 12th. MFDA has been actively engaging with legislators, legislative staff, the Department of Health, members, and other stakeholders to advocate for the association’s legislative priorities. MFDA’s priorities for the session include: • Removals: Establishing a transfer care specialist role for nonlicensed individuals to remove a dead body from the place of death (HF 2509 Huot & SF 2611 Utke) • Internship: Modifying requirements to allow enrolled students to begin working on the internship requirements prior to graduation (HF 1036 Huot & SF 2610 Utke) • Reciprocal license: Modifying the reciprocal licensing requirements to account for work experience (HF 1039 Huot & SF 2612 Utke) • Cremation: Authorizing the cremation of identifiable body parts from living individuals (HF 2505 Huot & SF 2587 Wiklund).
MFDA will continue its advocacy efforts and keep members informed on how they can support MFDA’s legislative agenda during the session. With the groundwork laid through ongoing engagement and education, MFDA is poised to advance policies that will benefit the funeral profession in Minnesota. What can you do to help these efforts? Contact your state senator and state representative. Send them an email or give them a call. Let them know you’re a constituent and ask them to support MFDA’s legislative priorities – and be sure to reference the specific bill numbers. Feel free to let them know why they should lend their support, and offer to be a resource if they have any questions. It is incredibly helpful for your state legislators to hear from you, their constituent. It helps them determine how they will vote on legislation, and their ability to cite support or opposition from their constituency provides valuable backing for their position.
If you don’t know who your legislators are: Each of you has a state senator and a state representative, if you don’t know who they are, simply search “who represents me Minnesota” and you’ll find the Legislative Coordinating Commission’s website where you can enter your address. The top two results for “MN House” and “MN Senate” are your state legislators and it’s incredibly helpful for them to hear from you, the people they represent. MFDA encourages all members to reach out to your state legislators to voice your support for these important legislative priorities. Hearing directly from constituents is incredibly impactful for legislators as they determine their position on bills. MFDA has laid the groundwork, and with members’ help connecting with legislators is an important part of MFDA’s advocacy. MFDA looks forward to the start of the session and advocating for proposals that will move the funeral service profession forward in Minnesota.
Looking to Reach Funeral Home Decision-Makers? Advertise in Bulletin! A MINNESOTA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBER PUBLICATION
Bulletin
SPRING 2023
Combatting Compassion Fatigue 6 ways to prioritize your mental health and bypass burnout
2023 MFDA Convention Preview
One The Power of
Get to know 2023 MFDA Convention Keynote speaker John O’Leary
MFDA Bulletin magazine mails to all member funeral homes in Minnesota. The highly-targeted publication gets you in front of existing and potential buyers!
Up next: Spring 2024 Ad Reservations & Artwork Due: January 19, 2024 Mails to Members: February 2024
Want to learn more? Visit www.bit.ly/Bulletin2024 to view the advertising media kit, or contact Todd Pernsteiner at todd@pernsteiner.com or (952) 841-1111.
6 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2023
SHOWCASE YOUR EXPERTISE! SPONSORED EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! INQUIRE FOR DETAILS.
The Minnesota Funeral Service Political Action Committee (PAC) Needs Your Help The Minnesota Funeral Service Political Action Committee (PAC) needs your help to ensure that funeral service is properly represented at the Minnesota State Capitol.
No contribution is too small.
team the resources it needs to act.
Federal and state law mandates that PAC contributions must come from personal funds - corporate contributions cannot be accepted. Personal contributions are strictly voluntary and are not a condition for MFDA membership.
The PAC’s ability to pool member resources means that your donation of any amount enables all MFDA members to achieve more!
Announcing MFDA’s CAREER CENTER at Your contribution strengthens our www.mnfuneral.org Who can contribute? voice by giving your MFDA Advocacy Your contribution is pooled to make the most impact - 100% of PAC funds are used to support MN legislative candidates who support public policy initiatives that directly benefit funeral service and small business.
Make your voice heard. Your personal contribution strengthens the voice of the funeral service professional in Minnesota.
,
What is the Minnesota Funeral Service PAC?
To make a PAC donation (must be from personal account):
As you know, your MFDA membership is designed to help you achieve more in your business, community, and life. MFDA’s Advocacy team is always hard at work for you at the State Capitol, building relationships with legislators and enabling them to make a positive difference on issues affecting funeral service and your business.
Mail a personal check made to Minnesota Funeral Service PAC: MFDA PAC 7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311
The perfect Make an online donation funeral director with a personal credit card, candidate could scan QR code. Learn more about MFDA’s be closer than you think. legislative priorities on page67.
SCAN FOR DETAILS
Minnesota Funeral Service PAC
Contributions or gifts to the Minnesota Funeral Service Political Action Committee (PAC) are not tax deductible. In accordance with federal law, contributions are strictly voluntary and not a condition of MFDA membership. All personal contributions to the Minnesota Funeral Service PAC are used in support of candidates for state office. Corporate contributions cannot be used in support of candidates.
Hiring? Try MFDA’s Career Center.
Employer Benefits
Looking fo classif r the MFDA All classi ied ads page fieds ca ? nn on
• Access highly-qualified, professional candidates.
The perfect funeral director candidate o line in th e MFDA w be found could be closer than you think. at mnfun Career
• Generate high return on recruitment advertisement spending.
• Easy-to-use job posting and resume search capabilities.
www.mnfuneral.careerwebsite.com
• Access to job board networks for broader job distribution to qualified candidates.
eral.care
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• 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.
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• 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.
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POWERED BY
www.mnfuneral.org 7
Amplifying Your Voice in Death Care Join MFDA in 2024 and you will receive… Advocacy and Representation: Trade associations serve as powerful advocates for industry professionals, ensuring that the concerns and perspectives of funeral service providers are heard by policymakers and regulatory bodies. Our MFDA staff and board members participate in meetings and discussions with the Minnesota Department of Health Mortuary Science Section staff to communicate questions/issues to represent our members as needed. By being a member of MFDA, you contribute to a collective voice that shapes legislation and regulations affecting our industry. MFDA’s 2024 legislative bill priorities include the Transfer Care Specialist, internship changes, reciprocal license modifications, and cremation of a body part. Access to Industry Resources: Members receive access to resources such as industry publications, research, and tools that can aid in their professional development and business operations. An important resource is access to our Legal Counsel Michael Sharkey specifically for members who need mortuary law specific legal guidance, (often on short or even emergency notice) can spend up to 30 minutes free of charge getting answers they need. If a call takes more than 30 minutes of guidance, the member will be advised to retain Mr. Sharkey privately.
Networking, Collaboration and Communication: MFDA provides a unique members-only platform for networking and collaboration. Our MFDA Online Community connects peers, suppliers, and professionals within the funeral service community to gain valuable insights, share best practices, and build relationships that can positively impact your business. Important communications are shared using our Online Community. Additional communications are sent to members through our mailed quarterly Bulletin magazine, emails, website, and social media. Event Registration Discounts and Free CEUs: Enjoy members-only discounted rates on registrations for MFDA events, conferences, and convention. As a member there are opportunities during the year for free CEUs offered both in-person and
virtually. MFDA’s 133rd Annual Convention will be at Grand Casino Hinckley on April 30-May 2, 2024 with an exciting trivia contest event – get your teams together now! Job Board and Career Center: Explore career opportunities and stay connected with the industry’s latest job postings through our dedicated job board and career center. MFDA membership provides you with a platform to advance your professional journey. Members receive a 50% discount on job postings. Stay tuned for an updated MFDA Career Education Center for membersonly later in 2024! Industry Partnerships: MFDA continues to partner with our endorsed preneed insurance provider Funeral Directors Life, endorsed commercial insurance provider Federated Insurance, and support of the Healing Hearts Connection.
Scan to learn more ...
Federated Insurance
Funeral Directors Life
8 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2023
Healing Hearts Connection
MFDA Career Center
MFDA Leadership Academy
MFDA Legal Counsel
MFDA Legislative Priorities
promoted on our website and social media accounts with images and short videos available for member funeral homes to use on their website and social media. There will be a search function for consumers to find MFDA members for their preneed and at-need services. MFDA Committee and Task Force: Members can join one of our active association committees: Legislative, Education, Finance, and Professional Practices. Most committee meetings are held virtually on Zoom. As important goals are identified to support the death care industry, your MFDA president can appoint a task force to focus on that issue. Our current task forces are Member PR Campaign and Transfer Care Specialist Training. If you’re interested in joining one of our committees or task forces, please contact the MFDA office at 763-416-0124 or email info@mnfuneral.org.
Through the endorsement of Funeral Directors Life, MFDA receives revenue based off the total dollars produced in our state from preneed insurance policies written. This revenue largely supports our budget and benefits provided to our members.
Professional Development: Our 2024 MFDA Leadership Academy experience enables both experienced and emerging leaders to excel – now and into the future. Participants will learn leadership concepts and proven techniques, as well as gain important insights into MFDA. Application for our 5th academy will be accepted through spring 2024 with classes beginning in fall 2024.
Federated Insurance provides commercial insurance coverage specific to the needs of funeral home businesses in Minnesota. Their endorsement fee to MFDA also provides benefits that support our members. MFDA members came together in 2001 to create the Minnesota Foundation for Children and 23 years later members and staff continue to support the mission of Healing Hearts Connection to provide grief camps for families free of charge. Getting involved with Hearts of Hope Grief Camp can happen through volunteerism, fundraising/donations, and referring families to camp. Members-Only Public Relation Campaign: MFDA is currently creating a public relations campaign promoting the value of a funeral and working with our MFDA members. The campaign will be
Gratitude for Our Members I want to express our sincere appreciation for the continued support of our valued members of our esteemed association. Your commitment to excellence in the death care industry has not gone unnoticed, and we are honored to have you as part of our community. Please know I am here to support and listen to any concerns you may have. I have been able to make visits around the state to funeral homes in 2023 and look forward to continued visits in 2024.
Miki Tufto Executive Director Minnesota Funeral Directors Association (o) 763-416-0124 (c) 651-235-3700 mtufto@mnfuneral.org
Joining or renewing your membership is quick and easy. Simply complete the included membership application or visit our website at www.mnfuneral.org and create or login to your member profile. If you have any membership questions, please contact our membership services director at kathy@ mnfuneral.org to ensure uninterrupted access to these valuable benefits. Thank you for your continued support of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association. We look forward to serving you in the coming year and working together to enhance and support death care excellence.
www.mnfuneral.org 9
Minnesota Funeral Directors Association | 7046 E Fish Lake Rd, Maple Grove MN, 55311 Phone: 763-416-0124 | www.mnfuneral.org | info@mnfuneral.org
How to Choose the Right Preneed Product for Your Funeral Home By Todd Carlson, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, Funeral Directors Life
Have you ever wondered if you are using the right preneed product for your funeral home? Preneed products are not “one size fits all.” That is because your preneed product selection should align with your business strategy. So, depending on your business strategy and typical preneed customers, you will need to select a preneed product that supports your business goals. That way, your funeral home will be set up for success.
How do I know which preneed product is right for me? Let’s look at how a preneed product works. When your funeral home sells a preneed plan, you essentially have two levers to pull: growth or commissions. In general, higher-growth products pay lower commissions. Lower-growth products pay higher commissions. Some products meet in the middle. Essentially, you can ask yourself: Do I want the benefit of commission dollars upfront, or do I want more growth on my preneed business at claim time? In short, do you want to be paid now or in the future? Let’s look at three different business strategies and dive into the pros and cons of each, so you can feel confident making the right decision for your funeral home.
Depending on your business strategy and typical preneed customers, you will need to select a preneed product that supports your business goals. That way, your funeral home will be set up for success. 10 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2023
Business Strategy #1: Active Sales Program If you are running an active preneed sales program (one that utilizes a full-time licensed preneed sales professional), it likely has the following characteristics: • Lower average ages (more than 10 years on the books) • Primarily payment plans • High monthly sales volume The best preneed product for this strategy: If you have an active preneed sales program, the best product for this strategy is one that offers higher commission rates offset by lower growth rates. Higher commissions allow your sales professionals to make a living selling preneed plans for your funeral home full time. In addition, upfront commissions provide revenue to pay for marketing and lead generation expenses. The pros and cons of this strategy PRO: Consistent marketing, lead generation, and community-based events promoting your funeral home, which will grow your market share over time PRO: A significant amount of preneed business to your books, increasing the overall value of your business PRO: At-need call volume will also increase based on marketing from an active preneed sales program PRO:: Increased profitability from additional funerals that go above and beyond the number needed to cover your fixed overhead expenses PRO: Profit margins of each additional preneed funeral more than compensate for lower growth rates CON: Not feasible for smaller businesses that cannot support a fulltime sales professional
Want to see how an active program can change the course of a business? Read the case study at bit.ly/FDLcasestudy1.
Business Strategy #2: Passive Sales Program If your preneed approach is more passive (serving primarily walk-in and call-in business), then your preneed portfolio will probably look like this: • Higher average ages (less than 10 years on the books) • Mostly single-pay or dollar-for-dollar plans • Lower monthly sales volume The best preneed product for this strategy: This type of program requires higher growth rates to offset inflation and shortfalls on plans with older average ages and single payment plans. So, the best product for a passive approach is to have a higher growth rate with lower commissions, which are not needed to support a full-time sales professional or market the preneed program. The pros and cons of this strategy PRO: Higher death benefit paid at claim time due to higher growth PRO: No costs for hiring, training, and marketing CON:Lower average contract sizes because walk-ins/call-ins are not served by an experienced preneed sales professional CON:Loss of market share due to more active competitors locking in families with preneed CON:Missed opportunities to grow atneed call volume due to less marketing CON:Very little future security for the business that would come with a larger preneed portfolio
Business Strategy #3: Moderate Sales Program If you fall somewhere in the middle with a moderately active preneed sales program, your program probably looks something like this: • Average ages (about 10 years on the books) • A mix of mostly single-pay plans with some payment plans • Moderate to high monthly volume sales
So…what is your preferred business strategy?
The best preneed product for this strategy: If your program is moderately active, you’ll benefit from a product that offers a balance between growth rates and commissions. This strategy makes sense if your funeral home is a smaller business or operates in a rural area. You know you want to maintain and possibly even grow your market share through an active preneed approach, but your funeral home may not be able to support a full-time sales professional on its own.
The next big question to ask is…what is your preferred strategy? And does your current product align with your desired preneed strategy?
The solution? You might partner with an agency to host a few marketing events and have the sales professional from the agency follow up with attendees. Another option is to share an FDLemployed sales professional with other non-competing funeral homes in the vicinity.
As you can see, each strategy has its benefits and drawbacks. The strategy you choose depends on your overall long-term goals: • Do you want to actively grow your market share with a full-time sales professional? • Do you want to focus on walk-ins and call-ins only and have a higher payout at claim time? • Do you want to maintain your current market share with a moderate approach? Keep in mind that your current “default” strategy may not actually align with your goals!
That is why it is so important to talk to a preneed product and strategy expert, like our representatives at Funeral Directors Life (FDL). Your FDL representative can help you understand the long-term implications for your business based on your current product and strategy. That way, you can gain clarity on what your goals are for the future and how to best meet those goals by matching your product to your preferred preneed strategy. Contact John Harrington at 763607-0659 / john.harrington@ funeraldirectorslife.com or Scott Tufto at 952-807-6503 / scott.tufto@ funeraldirectorslife.com for a free consultation. Whether or not you choose to do business with FDL, you will be able to make informed decisions about your business that will help you meet your goals for the future!
The pros and cons of this strategy PRO: Maintain or even grow market share with only a few marketing events or lead-generation campaigns per year PRO: Higher contract averages because experienced sales professionals writing preneed contracts for you PRO: Moderately increased at-need call volume due to increased marketing PRO: Increased profitability from even one additional funeral that results from marketing or preneed that goes beyond the typical call volume needed to cover fixed overhead costs PRO: Greater security for the long-term success of your business with a growing preneed book of business CON: Sales professional may not be a good fit for your funeral home. (In that case, you can try a different approach)
www.mnfuneral.org 11
HR Question of the Month Travel Away From Home The HR Question of the Month is provided by Zywave®, a company wholly independent from Federated Insurance. Federated provides its clients access to this information through the Federated Employment Practices Network with the understanding that neither Federated nor its employees provide legal or employment advice. As such, Federated does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of the information herein. This information may be subject to restrictions and regulation in your state. Consult with your own qualified legal counsel regarding your specific facts and circumstances.
Question:
Answer:
One of our employees will be traveling to an out-of-town conference on an upcoming weekend. He will ride a bus for three hours on a Friday and stay overnight. He will then attend the conference on Saturday before riding the bus back home later that day. We understand we need to pay him for his time spent attending the conference. Our question is specifically about the three-hour bus rides to and from the conference: Do we need to pay him for his travel time on the bus? He will not be performing any work on the bus.
If an employee is subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, they must be paid for all time spent in physical or mental exertion, whether burdensome or not, that is controlled or required by their employer and pursued necessarily and primarily for the employer’s benefit. Travel that keeps an employee away from home overnight is compensable worktime when it cuts across the employee’s workday; the employee is simply substituting travel for other duties. This time includes not only hours worked on regular working days during normal working hours but also during the corresponding hours on nonworking days. For example, if an employee regularly works from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, then travel time during these hours would still be considered worktime on Saturday and Sunday as well as on the other days.
12 MFDA Bulletin • WINTER 2023
However, federal regulations state that time spent traveling away from home outside of regular working hours as a passenger on an airplane, train, boat, bus or automobile is not considered worktime. That being said, employers should check their state and local laws, as requirements may vary. For example, California law does not distinguish between hours worked during normal working hours and hours worked outside normal working hours. Under California law, if an employer requires an employee to attend an out-oftown business meeting, training session or any other event, the employer cannot disclaim the obligation to pay for the employee’s time spent getting to and from the event. In any case, employers should remember that they must apply the laws deemed most protective of their employees.
Lions Gift of Sight Helps Reduce Barriers to Eye Donation Friends, Our work together continues to result in reduced barriers to eye donation for decedents and their families. More than 1,900 of the 51,000+ Minnesotans that died in 2022 fulfilled their wish to give the Gift of Sight. Corneas and whole eyes support sight saving transplants, educate the next generation of medical professionals, and support vital research – this is not news to you, but I am compelled to type this out loud. Your changes are having a tremendous cumulative impact. Thank you for implementing oncall programs to expand access to your funeral homes for recoveries around the clock, and for embracing technology to verify arrival of our staff, granting access remotely – but most importantly, so that the decisions of a family and their loved ones can be fully honored. Of the nearly 2,000 eye donors that LGS served in the past year, two cases were escalated to me. Two. That’s pretty darn good! But, we can do better and I want to hear from you. When you call with concerns, I
can get to work unpacking what you are experiencing. Because you have called, policies were changed and hospital education improved to help assure head elevation is maintained before your arrival. Sharing your concerns has led to a clarification from the Minnesota Department of Health Mortuary Science team. Occasionally, you bring forward concern regarding risk to you of statutory violation for permitting Lions Gift of Sight certified medical professionals access to your prep room for the purpose of surgical removal of eye tissue. Mortuary Science statutes were written a couple of decades ago when greater Minnesota relied on funeral service for the recovery of whole eyes. Those of us who gathered for Fall District Education in Redwood Falls learned that at some point 149A will be revised for clarification. In the meantime, Carlena and Daphne provided assurances that LGS recovery staff access to your prep room does not put you at risk of violation, and recognition that eye donation is needed.
Effective January 1, 2024, LGS will begin offering 1 body prep CEU for observation of in situ cornea recovery or enucleation at your facility. Our website will be updated to include additional information and the CEU form for your convenience. Lions Gift of Sight will continue to do everything we can to support you as we jointly serve families. I am grateful for our work together in 2023 and look forward to the year ahead. Patty Stockdale, Manager - Partner & Community Relations Lions Gift of Sight University of Minnesota Medical School pmstock@umn.edu 612-624-8952
Learn more about Lions Gift of Sight at www.lionsgiftofsight.umn.edu
Catholic Updates to Alkaline Hydrolysis and Natural Organic Reduction It has been brought to the attention of the MFDA board of directors that some Catholic cemeteries are not accepting Hydrolyzed remains for placement in their cemeteries. In March, a committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a written statement on their beliefs on alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction. I have attached the document to this email. At this point, we are just making sure that member funeral homes know of this trend so that our membership can check into the rules of their local Catholic Cemeteries.
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UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
MORTUARY SCIENCE UPDATE Greetings from Mortuary Science! In just a few days we will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. We have LuBrant so much in our Program to be thankful for over the past year. Some highlights of recent happenings include the following: Admissions and Enrollment: This past fall, we welcomed 30 new students into the Program. Earlier this year, we welcomed 10 new students in our January cohort, and total enrollment now exceeds 80 students. We are currently reviewing applications for Spring Semester 2024 enrollment, and expect at least as many new students to begin their studies this upcoming January as did earlier this year. We thank MFDA for continuing to be a part of our Orientation Day activities and welcoming our new students to the funeral service profession!
Faculty and Staffing Updates: Earlier this year, after nearly 50 years of dedicated service to our Program, Professor Michael Mathews began a phased retirement. Although he is no longer teaching classes, he continues Mathews to support the Program in other activities. A celebration will be planned on the occasion of his retirement in 2025.
By Michael LuBrant Program Director
Michael LuBrant and Peter Macken at STEAM Summit, Rochester
Speaking of celebrations, Education Program Associate and Academic Advisor Ashley Mishek (below left) recently celebrated her five-year anniversary in mortuary science.
Negia
We are excited to announce Mesfin Negia has joined us and is teaching anatomy and chemistry. Mr. Negia completed graduate studies here at the
Michael LuBrant and Sue Erickson, University of Minnesota Crookston
Students Touring Roselawn Cemetery with Amanda Thoreson
Save the date! Our next networking event is set for the afternoon of Friday, January 19th. More information to follow as details are finalized. Ashley Mishek celebrates five years in Mortuary Science
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University and has taught a number of science courses at several colleges over the years. Mr. Negia is working closely with our embalming and restorative art instructors to ensure our anatomy course provides an excellent foundation for activities relating to decedent care. Partnership with University of Minnesota - Crookston Campus (UMC): We have completed our partnership agreement with UMN and now have an established pathway for students to complete their first two years of studies at UMC either in-person or online, and transfer directly into our Program at the start of their junior year. UMC liaison Sue Erickson attended all the MFDA District Meetings with me, and shared with attendees information about ways funeral homes can work with prospective mortuary science students who may have an interest in studies at UMC. Additionally, we have current mortuary science students taking online elective courses through UMC. We are very pleased for this opportunity to work together across campuses for the goal of advancing opportunities to pursue a degree in mortuary science.
Field Trip Opportunities: This Fall students visited the alkaline hydrolysis facility at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, followed by a tour of nearby Roselawn Cemetery. Jason Bradshaw provided an informative presentation about alkaline hydrolysis and how it is becoming more popular with families served at his funeral home. Roselawn Cemetery manager Amanda Thoreson discussed with students different ways families are choosing to memorialize their loved ones, and offered ideas about ways funeral directors can work with cemeteries for the goal of helping survivors at their time of need. Our thanks to Jason and Amanda for their hospitality and all the helpful information they shared with us! Networking and Recruiting Activities: We had 73 students attend our Fall Networking Event this past September, which was held on campus in the new Health Sciences Education Building. Funeral directors and allied professionals from across Minnesota spent the afternoon getting to know our students, and discussing opportunities for employment following graduation. Our next networking event is set for the afternoon of Friday, January 19, 2024 – save the date! More information to follow as details are finalized.
The Program participated in several regional career exploration events for Middle and High School students this past year. The largest event was the STEAM Summit event (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) held in Rochester this November. With over 3,000 students in attendance, it was a great way to help us share with students future opportunities for a career in funeral service. My thanks to Peter Macken, Joe Mahn, and Mark Mettler for all their help staffing our booth and talking with the students who visited with us to learn more about funeral service. Thank you! During this season of gratitude, I thank you all for your continued support of our Program and students. We could not achieve our success without your dedication to mortuary science at the University of Minnesota. We have just launched our Fall Annual Appeal, and would encourage you to assist us in our work through a gift of financial support, at any level that is comfortable for you. More information about giving opportunities, including how to make a gift online, can be found at www.med. umn.edu/mortuaryscience/give. With all best wishes for a beautiful holiday season! Michael LuBrant
ANSWERING THE CALL SINCE 1970 FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE
507.387.6543
151 St Andrews Court, Suite 210, Mankato, MN 56001 www.mascommunications.net www.mnfuneral.org 15
NFDA UPDATES
2024 NFDA Meet the Mentors Program: Exclusive Opportunity for Funeral Professionals to Connect, Learn and Advocate in Washington, D.C. Members of the National Funeral Directors Association are invited to enter for their chance to participate in the association’s transformational Meet the Mentors program. In 2024, the program will be held March 19-22, in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the association’s annual Advocacy Summit. Meet the Mentors has been wholly funded by the Funeral Service Foundation since its 2011 inception. The Funeral Service Foundation’s support of Meet the Mentors helps fulfill its mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service. “We’re so excited to bring our Meet the Mentors program to Washington,
D.C.,” said NFDA Associate Director of Education Sara Moss, MS, CT, LFD. “In addition to the learning and growth that happens during Meet the Mentors, this year’s mentees will have a unique opportunity to learn about the importance of being an advocate for the funeral service profession. They will also be able to participate in meetings with members of Congress along side our 2024 NFDA Advocacy Summit attendees.” During Meet the Mentors, up to 25 funeral professionals who are age 40 or under or are new to the profession (first licensed within the last five years) will have an opportunity to meet, learn from and talk with innovative and successful funeral professionals. Meet the Mentors also helps participants to
2023 Meet the Mentors program (March 12-14, 2023) in Atlanta, GA.
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network and form relationships with other new professionals. Three highly esteemed funeral professionals have been selected as the 2024 mentors: • Virginia “Jenni” Bryant, CFSP, CCO, is the general manager of Smith Funeral and Cremation Services, which has several locations in Maryville, Tennessee. Bryant is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta and began her funeral service career at Smith Funeral and Cremation Services in 2000. Jenni is a Past President of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and is currently serving on the National Board Exam Committee.
• Jay Dietz is the vice president of operations for Vertin, on of the largest privately held family-owned funeral home companies in the Midwest. After joining Vertin in 1995, he spent the next eighteen years as a managing funeral director of firms in West Central, Minnesota, until becoming a key member of the organization’s leadership team in 2013. Today, as vice president of operations, Dietz is responsible for all funeral home operations, providing strategic leadership and ensuring all associates have the resources, tools and support they need to offer the highest level of service to all families. • Kenneth Howe, CFSP, is the president, CEO and owner, of Holman Howe Funeral Homes, which has several locations in southeastern Missouri. He is a former chairman and member of the Missouri State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. He was named the 2012 Funeral Director of the Year by American Funeral Director magazine and is active in the daily management of his family’s business. His firm has earned the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award 12 times and was awarded Best of the Best Award in 2015. Meet the Mentors will begin on Tuesday, March 19 with a reception followed by a tour and dinner at the historic Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1850, the firm has provided funeral and cremation services to families in the Washington, D.C. area for more than 160 years. The firm has also been called upon to honor the lives of presidents, vice presidents, Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, cabinet secretaries, military leaders and foreign dignitaries. It is believed to be the oldest funeral establishment still operating in the D.C. area.
On Wednesday, March 20, Bryant, Dietz and Howe will share career advice and lessons they have learned while building rewarding and fulfilling careers in funeral service. Attendees will be able to connect with the mentors and their fellow mentees during roundtable discussions. On Thursday, March 21, the mentees will spend the day on Capitol Hill with NFDA Advocacy Summit attendees meeting with Members of Congress. Meet the Mentors participants will literally have a seat at the table, sitting across from elected representatives and engaging them in a discussion about how decisions made in Congress have a direct impact on a funeral director’s ability to serve families and run a business. That evening, mentees will attend a special engagement session with Duane E. Hills, president of Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home in Washington, D.C. Originally from rural Pennsylvania, he moved to the state of New York State to attend Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York. In 2008, Hill joined SCI to manage a group of funeral homes and a cemetery in Lufkin, Texas. In 2012, he transferred to Washington, D.C. where he became the assistant manager at Joseph Gawler’s Sons. In 2022 Hill self-published a book on the history of Joseph Gawler’s Sons, “One Block West of the White House,” which can be found in both the Presidential Library at the White House and the Law Library at the United States Supreme Court, and “Washington’s Sinners & Saints” about notorious figures in and around the nation’s capital. Previous Meet the Mentors participants offer consistently high praise for the program. A 2023 mentee said, “Meet the Mentors was such an eye-opening experience. I was able to learn so much from so many different funeral service professionals.
This program inspired me to dream bigger in my career.” Another 2023 participant noted, “This program was so well planned and well run. I left with tons of knowledge, connected with like-minded individuals I mostly didn’t know, walked away with 30 plus new friends, and built relationships with people that have been paving the way for our success as the future generation of professionals.” There is no cost to participate in the Meet the Mentors program itself. The Funeral Service Foundation’s generous grant provides exclusive, career-transforming access to three mentors and other leaders in the profession, and covers attendees’ registration fees, three nights’ lodging and select meals. The individuals selected to attend only pay for their transportation to and from Washington, D.C. The names of the 2024 Meet the Mentors participants will be randomly drawn from among all who enter via the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/ mentors. Entrants must be NFDA members in good standing, licensed funeral directors and/or embalmers, and age 40 or under or new to the profession (first licensed within the last five years). In addition to providing basic information, entrants will be required to submit a letter of good standing from their funeral home owner or manager and answer a brief essay question. Entries will be accepted through 5 p.m. CST on January 6, 2024. The names of the 2023 Meet the Mentors participants will be announced in lateJanuary 2024. Complete details about the NFDA Meet the Mentors program, including eligibility requirements, information about the mentors and the entry form, can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/mentors. Members can also call NFDA at 800-228-6332 with questions. n
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NFDA UPDATES NFDA Celebrates Members for Excellence in Service to Families and Communities 2023 Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients were honored during the NFDA International Convention & Expo in Las Vegas The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is delighted to announce the funeral businesses that earned a 2023 Pursuit of Excellence Award. For more than 40 years, NFDA has presented this award 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.
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.
The 2023 Pursuit of Excellence Award honorees will be formally recognized by the association at the All-Star Recognition Ceremony, taking place on Monday, September 11 at 4 p.m. during the NFDA International Convention & Expo (September 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada).
“This year’s Pursuit of Excellence honorees are a truly exceptional group. Not only are they serving grieving families with dignity and compassion, but they are finding meaningful ways to support and give back to the community,” said NFDA Director of Public Relations Jessica Koth, who manages the Pursuit of Excellence Award program. “The Pursuit of Excellence Work Group was very impressed by this year’s entries and enjoyed reviewing each and every one. The Work Group applauds these firms for their hard work and dedication to
To earn a NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, a funeral home must demonstrate proficiency in key areas of funeral service, including compliance with state and federal regulations; staff participation in ongoing education and
providing a superior level of service to families and communities. We are proud to have them as part of our NFDA family.” Information about the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence program can be found by visiting www.nfda.org/ pursuitofexcellence. Registration and application materials for 2024 will be available in mid-September 2023.
NFDA Hall of Excellence Inductees NFDA salutes the following Minnesota funeral homes for their ongoing commitment to excellence (MFDA members in bold): • Pedersen Funeral & Cremation, Morris, Minnesota (Starbuck Funeral Home, Starbuck, MN) • Hantge-McBride-Hughes Funeral Chapels, Hutchinson, Minnesota See the full list of winners at nfda.org/ membership/recognition-programs/
PEDERSEN FUNERAL & CREMATION, MORRIS, MN (STARBUCK FUNERAL HOME, STARBUCK, MN) RECEIVE 15TH PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
Want to renew your membership online? Visit www.mnfuneral.org and sign-in to your MFDA members-only account. Need your log-in? Contact Miki Tufto at 763-416-0124 or mtufto@mnfuneral.org.
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BOOK REVIEW
By Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm Sez, LLC
“Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless” By Laurah Norton And who are you? Even when nobody asks, you sometimes just go ahead and introduce yourself around because people like to put a name to a face and know who they’re talking with. Who are you, what’s your name, what do you do for a living? It’s information that, as in the new book “Lay Them to Rest” by Laurah Norton, isn’t always easy to get. It started with a creative writing interest and a “full-time non-tenuretrack job in the English department of a large university in Atlanta.” It progressed when Laurah Norton walked the halls with her newborn son, listening to podcasts to stay awake. That’s also where her obsession with true crime was ultimately cast in granite. It’s where her hope to “do something useful” was set, too, after Norton learned about John and Jane Doe cases. Those tricky cases result when a decedent’s body or body parts are discovered but their identity is unknown. Those bodies without names struck Norton hard, but none more than the one found in Illinois in 1993.
Ina Jane Doe, nicknamed for a small nearby city, was discovered lying against a tree, her red hair tangled in brush. There were no clues to her identity; in fact, there was barely a body to identify: all that was left of Ina Jane Doe was a head and a few attached vertebrae. In 2022, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) listed some fourteen thousand unclaimed bodies; forty thousand is the number the government uses. Forty percent of the missing people are “persons of color” but white people like Ina Jane Doe were more likely to be identified, overall. As Norton and her close friend, Dr. Amy Michael, a forensic anthropologist, worked their way through several methods to determine Ina Jane Doe’s identity, Norton went through a learning curve. There are many ways to ID a body: skeletal analysis, x-rays, photos, implant serial numbers, tattoos, scars. And then there’s DNA but, well, that’s all about the money...
You just want to carefully absorb everything there is to know about it – although beware, author Laurah Norton’s subject is quite unsettling. It’s also wince-worthy and sad, but it’s hard to look away. Norton’s descriptions are as methodical as was the year-long process she and Dr. Michael went through to learn more about Ina Jane Doe but the results are faster: readers will quickly feel like sleuths working right alongside Norton. That feeling is underscored when you’re presented with other cases and likewise intriguing Does throughout the country and over time. The true crime tales attached might make you want to go in search of search sites and get involved. Readers who like a little memoir with their murder will enjoy this book immensely. True crime fans should pounce on it. Really, “Lay Them to Rest” is a great read, no matter who you are. n
Laurah Norton Photo by: Emily Harris
Sometimes, you find a book that’s so good, so fascinating that it’s a shame to rush reading it. “Lay Them to Rest” is that kind of book.
IN 2022, THE NATIONAL MISSING AND UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS SYSTEM (NAMUS) LISTED SOME FOURTEEN THOUSAND UNCLAIMED BODIES; FORTY THOUSAND IS THE NUMBER THE GOVERNMENT USES.
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IN MEMORIAM Rolland “Rollie” DeLouis Kjos, Minnesota funeral director, age 96, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, August 4, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Oscar Kjos, brother Wilford (Wif), and wife Bette. He is survived by his sister Joyce Peterson age 99, who lives in Federal Way, WA and by his brother-in-law Robert (June) Sime, who live in Thousand Oaks, CA. He is also survived by two nieces, Janet Sime Raymond and Anita Sime Jader, who always showed their love for Uncle Rollie in countless ways. Rollie was born in Clarkfield, MN on March 26, 1927. He grew up and attended school in Clarkfield, where he played basketball and football in high school, and was known by the nickname “Curly”. He entered the Navy while in his last year of high school, on February 28, 1945. He served aboard a minesweeper in the Sea of Japan for 8 months near the end of WWII. After his discharge, he attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and earned a BA degree. On August 26, 1950, Rollie married Bette Sime in St. Paul, MN. He worked in sales for Gamble Robinson Company until 1956, when he attended the University of Minnesota and received his Mortuary Science Degree in 1957. Rollie worked at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, MN until 1959, when he accepted a position with the West Brothers, who owned both a furniture and funeral home in Detroit Lakes. In 1962, he became a partner with the West family, and the funeral home then took the name of West-Kjos. Rollie was a co-owner and director of West-Kjos funeral home until he retired in 1986. Rollie was an avid bowler, fisherman, golfer, card player, and a Senior Master in contract bridge. Rollie had been a member of the Detroit Lakes Jaycees and later served on the Board of the Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce. For many years, he was an active member
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of First Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as president of the congregation. He served as president of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association, and also served two terms on the Minnesota State Board of Minnesota Funeral Directors. He had been a member of Rotary Noon Club for 38 years and held a Paul Harris Fellowship – Rotary International. Rollie and Bette hosted two Rotary foreign exchange students, Mereta from Norway and Jen from Denmark. Rollie served as a mentor in the Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club for many years and delivered Meals on Wheels during the summer months. He was a member of C-400 and Augustana Fellows. In 1969, Rollie was instrumental in organizing a Sons of Norway Lodge in Detroit Lakes and served as its first president. He was a life member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion. Rollie and Bette agreed to let a niece from California, Kathy Tank, stay with them while she attended school in Detroit Lakes, from 1960 to 1965. Many of Kathy’s lifelong friends have stayed connected with Rollie. Rollie and Bette also helped sponsor a young girl from Vietnam through First Lutheran Church. Samantha Duong (Oanh La), became like an adopted daughter to them. She now resides in Atlanta, GA, and has remained in steady contact with Rollie and her Detroit Lakes relatives and friends. In retirement, Rollie spent many WINTERrs in California and Arizona. Rollie’s warm, gentle, faith-filled, and always kind personality will be missed by many generations of Detroit Lakes residents. In recent years, he was a regular attendee at many Detroit Lakes football and basketball games. He so loved and appreciated his unique and special friendship with Dorothy Poffenberger. They supported and attended many local events together, and it was common to see them enjoying each other’s company. A special thank you to Dorothy and her entire family, who very much embraced Rollie as a family member.
Visitation for Rollie was August 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church. A funeral service followed. Final rest will be in Clarkfield Cemetery, Clarkfield, Minnesota. Details of funeral and burial arrangements are through West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes. Memorials preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church or Faith Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. Elden “Al” Eugene Egesdal, Minnesota funeral director, age 85, of Gaylord passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Bayside Manor in Gaylord. Funeral Service was September 21 at Creekside Community Church in Arlington with interment in the Gaylord City Cemetery in Gaylord. Visitation was September 20 at the Egesdal Funeral Home in Gaylord. Al was born on August 1, 1938, in Elmore, Minnesota. He was the son of Earl and Laura Bell (Eichhorn) Egesdal. Al was a member of Creekside Community Church in Arlington. He professed his faith as a born again Christian, (John 3:3); and trusted the Lord. Al attended Bible Study and worship services and served as an usher and former high school Sunday School teacher. He received his education in Elmore and was a graduate of the Elmore High School Class of 1956. He furthered his education at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota Department of Mortuary Science in Minneapolis. While attending college and shortly after, Al resided in Minneapolis. He also resided in Anchorage, Alaska, and St. Peter, Minnesota. Al moved to Gaylord in 1972 where he made his permanent home. Al was employed with WashburnMcReavy Mortuary in Minneapolis from 1959-1963; Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage, Alaska, from 19631965; Klein Funeral Home in St. Peter, Minnesota, from 1965-1972; and Quist and Johnson Furniture, Floor Covering
and Funeral Service in Gaylord from 1972-1977. In 1977, Al purchased the Quist and Johnson business from Gerald Johnson. He also purchased the funeral homes in Winthrop, Fairfax, Hutchinson and Westbrook. In 1996, Al sold the Winthrop and Fairfax funeral homes to Robert and Richard Hantge of Hutchinson and in 2004 he then sold the Gaylord funeral home to the Hantge family as well and continued to be employed by the Hantge Family on a semi-retired basis. Since retirement, Al has enjoyed traveling to visit family in Arizona, Hawaii, Norway and also a trip to South Africa. He enjoyed yard work, visiting his children, and attending his grandchildren’s activities. Al also volunteered in the community and his church. He was active in the Gaylord community, serving on many boards and committees which included, Gaylord Cub Scouts of America, Gaylord Sertoma Club, Gaylord Rotary Club, Gaylord Chamber of Commerceretail committee, Gaylord Homes, Inc., serving as an usher at church and he coached T-ball and little league baseball when his children were younger. On October 18, 2013, Al was united in marriage to the love of his life, Belinda Walker in Gaylord. In 2013, Al was honored by the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association for being licensed for 50 years in funeral service. Al truly understood his calling in life; to help others through the death and grieving process. His service, which spanned over 60 years, touched the lives of thousands. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, brother and sisters very much. Al touched all those around him with deeds of kindness, words of encouragement to family and friends and nearly 60 years of funeral service, caring for the needs of the Gaylord, New Auburn, Bernadotte, Winthrop, and Fairfax communities. Al had a selfless love we will treasure forever. Al is survived by his wife, Belinda Egesdal of Gaylord, MN; children, John
Egesdal of Durango, CO, David Egesdal of Woodbury, MN, Thomas Egesdal of Green Bay, WI, Ruth (Dr. Frank) Nicolosi of Rockford, IL, and James Egesdal of Gaylord, MN; step-children, Chantell (Ryan) Joffe and David (Sarah) Walker; grandchildren, Julie Egesdal, Timothy Solie, Kimberly Nicolosi, Claire Egesdal, Carter Egesdal, Jackson Egesdal, Lucas Egesdal; step-grandchildren, Ben Joffe, Mark Joffe, Isabella Walker; siblings, Miriam Engebretson of Anchorage, AK; brother-in-law, Rev. Gordy Trelstad of Redwing, MN; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Al was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Laura Bell Egesdal; sister, Karen Trelstad; brother, Sanford Egesdal; brother-in-law, Rev. Bruce Engebretson. A Mass of Christian Burial for Geraldine Griffin Gray, mother of Minnesota Funeral Director Chris Gray, 97, a lifelong Stewartville, MN resident, was October 27, 2023 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Stewartville with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Mrs. Gray died on Friday (October 20, 2023) of natural causes at her home. Geraldine Marie Griffin was born on October 15, 1926, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, the second of three daughters to Patrick and Margaret Tharalson Griffin. She attended school in Stewartville, graduating from Stewartville HS in 1944. She attended the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul and returned to Stewartville as a kindergarten teacher in 1947. On June 12, 1948, Gerri married Lawrence (Larry) Gray at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Larry and Gerri worked side-by-side in the family businesses throughout their marriage, celebrating their 73rd anniversary in 2021. Gerri stood as Larry’s true partner in their long active lives together as parents, businesspeople, parishioners and community members. Centered
first in her role as a wife and mother, Gerri will be remembered, loved and respected by her children and grandchildren. She was also recognized in her community as a gifted homemaker and hostess. Together, she and Larry created a beautiful home and garden which they loved to share with family and friends. Gerri was also an active and respected member of the Stewartville business community, working as a buyer, interior designer, and salesperson at Griffin Furniture from 1960-1978. And for more than 60 years, her artistic and organizational skills were an essential part of the services offered by the Griffin-Gray Funeral Home. Gerri was a lifelong devoted and involved member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. In addition to her faithful attendance, she taught catechism, served on the parish council and with the committee to build the new church. She volunteered at the Stewartville Care Center and with Friends of the Library and was a member of the Monday Study Club. Again, working together, Larry and Gerri participated in a wide array of community projects, including Meals on Wheels, the reissue of the Stewartville Story, city beautification, and many local events and celebrations. Gerri is survived by four daughters and three sons—Nora (Eric) Garland of La Crosse, Kevin (Susan) Gray of Stewartville, Mary Gray of Rochester, Christopher (Diane) Gray of Stewartville, Brian (Lynn) Gray of Forest Lake, Bridget Hermans of Stewartville, and Megan (Dan) Burick of Salt Lake City. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Katherine (Shannon) Martin and Michael Steele; Kate (Arie) Kroeger-Gray and Karin Gray; Noah Gray; Cecelia, George, and Henry Gray; Hannah (Jake) Chambers and Lilli (Matt) Carlson; Connor, Olivia, and Rosemary Hermans; Emma and Tess Burick; and great-grandchildren Cora Martin, Frances Jagodzinske, Theo and Isla Chambers, and Violet and Maclan Carlson; and brother-inlaw, Virgil (Lars) Loken of Sacramento, CA and nieces and nephews. She was
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IN MEMORIAM preceded in death by her husband Larry on September 19, 2021, her parents and 2 sisters – Jean Oliver and Patricia Loken. Gerri’s family suggests memorials to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church or the Center for Active Adults in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Gerri are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com. On October 31, 2023, the world unexpectedly lost one of the great ones: John Michael Soman, brother of Minnesota Funeral Director Fred Soman, age 81, of Jackson, WI, formerly Montfort. If you knew John, his personality and smile were infectious. His effortless ability to start a conversation with anyone he met was legendary. He touched countless lives in so many ways and made new friends everywhere he went. Some of John’s favorite things in life were his faith, his family, traveling, and the Green Bay Packers. John was born on October 12th, 1942, in Green Bay, WI, the oldest child of Walter Conrad Soman and Elizabeth Emma Wedewart. He went to school in Green Bay until his senior year in 1959, when his family purchased the Hannan Funeral Home and Furniture Stores in Livingston and Montfort, WI. John went from being a “city kid” to a “country boy” overnight. One of the first jobs he had while completing his senior year in an entirely new environment, was to become a farm hand for a local farmer from near Arthur, WI. On September 7th, 1962, John married the love of his life, Sharon Kay Soman (McFall), and proceeded to do the best job he
22 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2023
could: to give her a wonderful life. The newlyweds began their life together by moving to Minneapolis, where John studied for, and received his Bachelors in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota. Upon completing his degree, the couple moved to Platteville, WI, where he furthered his studies and obtained his bachelor’s in education from the UW-Platteville. Upon completion of his second degree, John and Sharon moved to Wilmore, KY. There, Sharon studied for and received her degree in nursing, while John began seminary studies, with the intent of becoming overseas missionaries. In 1971, the two changed their plans, and returned to Montfort, WI, where John joined the family business of Soman Furniture and Funeral Home. John devoted his life to the growth and service of the business and remained a partner of Soman Furniture and Funeral Home of Montfort, as well as Bonin Funeral Home of Platteville, WI until he sold the family business in 1991. Shortly after, John and Sharon started a new adventure by opening a small specialty retail store in Montfort called ‘Moments in Time’. During this period, John joined his sons in developing a construction company, located in Montfort. From 1998 to 2009, John wore many hats in the construction business, both on site, and in management. In 2009, John once again changed his career path, and joined Menards in Madison, WI, where he remained a proud employee, until his retirement in 2020. John is preceded in death by his younger brother, Jim Soman (2017); his mother Betty (2014); his nephew, Bruce Soman (2013); and his father, Walter (1990).
John is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sharon Soman; his children: Kimberly Deatherage (Michael), Pamela Soman (David Corry), Michael Soman (Heather), David Soman (Mandy); grandchildren: Karen Pavkov (RP), Chrissy Burnham (Josh), Shaun Soman, Erika Kolar, Jacob Soman, Madeline Soman Cwik, Andrew John Soman, Sage Soman, Jacob Kolar, Riley Soman, Lexi Soman, Kenley Soman, Sophia Soman, and Arianna Soman; great grandchild, Robbie Pavkov; and siblings: Fred (Nancy) Soman, Jane Soman, Bill (Jean) Soman, Dan (Kitty) Soman, and Sara (Ron) Flack. Visitation was held November 3 at Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort, WI, with funeral services on November 3 at the funeral home. James I. Clemens, Minnesota funeral director, beloved Dad and Grandpa, age 89, of Roseville, died on November 4, 2023. Jim was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church and spent his entire career as a funeral director. Preceded in death by wife, Patricia. Survived by children, Linda (Bruce) Karpenko, Michael (Lori) Clemens; grandchildren, Anthony (Kristine) Clemens, Amanda (Matt) Clemens; 4 great-grandchildren; and many other nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral service was held on November 10 at Salem Lutheran Church in West St. Paul. Visitation was held on November 9 at Klecatsky & Sons West Chapel in West St. Paul; and 1 hour prior to the service at church. Interment Roselawn Cemetery.
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2023 MFDA 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 or refer to your MFDA Directory.
Anatomy Bequest Program Angela McArthur, Shannon Vadnie, Linnea Seidelmann, Sarah Paulsen, Marina Burandt, Jason Vollmer www.bequest.umn.edu Artco Casket Company, Inc. Bill Currie, Wally Gelecinskyj www.artcocasket.com Avalon, Inc Daniel Seman www.sgi.services Baines Professional Vehicles John Baines www.4hearse.com Bedker Law, PLLC Callyn Bedker www.bedkerlaw.com Brown-Wilbert, Inc. Christopher Brown, Andrew Brown, Maleia Kavitz, Jeff Bauer, Joel Cairy www.brown-wilbert.com Citizen’s State Bank Troy Weathers www.csbnet.net Dodge Company Lincoln Plain www.dodgeco.com ELCO Mutual Life & Annuity Julie and Jim Palm www.elcomutual.com Federated Insurance Hunter Kennedy www.federatedinsurance.com Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association Kari A. Hubbard www.forestlawnmn.com Funeral Directors Life John Harrington, Scott Tufto www.funeraldirectorslife.com Good Life Consultants Richard Graner www.goodlifeconsultants.com Great Western Insurance Company Doug Stolt www.gwic.com
Healing Hearts Connection (Formerly Children’s Grief Connection) Jessica Moujouros www.healingheartsconnection.com Johnson Williams Funeral Car Todd Anderson www.jwfuneralcars.com Kachina Supply Inc. Jeff Grimm www.KachinaFuneralSupply.com Kelco Supply Alicia Carr www.kelcosupply.com Keystone Funeral Home Design Build Marcel Kelash www.keystonedb.com Laker Insurance Patrick Zalusky LifeSource - Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Kelley Romanowski Melinda Van Waus www.life-source.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 Messenger Bob Hoaglund www.messengerstationery.com Midwest Medical Examiners Office Shane Sheets, Angie Chalmers www.midwestmedicalexaminer.com Minneapolis Star Tribune Mike Maslow www.startribune.com Minnesota Roadways Co. Monica Bestge www.mnroadways.com Northern Design Caskets Scott Haiby 800-468-4955
Northwestern Casket Co. Thomas Dunleavy www.nwcasket.com Parks Superior Sales Michael Parks www.parkssuperior.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 Scene Clean Nate Berg, Jenny Berg www.scenecleanmn.com Sharkey Law, PLLC Michael Sharkey, Esq. 952-334-4460 Smith Carriage Company, LLC Ben Smith www.smithcarriageco.com TC Live Stream Paul Peterson tclivestream.com Terra Trees, LLC Misty Dietz www.terratrees.earth The Purple Cross Plan Denis Nordlum www.purplecross.com United Heritage Insurance Bob Hanson www.unitedheritage.com University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Michael LuBrant www.mortuaryscience.umn.edu Wieser Vault Matt Wieser, Todd Wieser www.wieser-doric.com 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.
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