MFDA Bulletin Spring 2015

SPRING 2015

BULLETIN

PUBLISHED MONTHLY FOR THE MINNESOTA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS.

Don’t miss the special event at Wabasha Street Caves!

2015 MFDA ANNUAL CONVENTION Celebrating 125 Years!

May 18-20, 2015 Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center Photo: ww w.vis

itsaintpaul.com

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

MFDA Bulletin

Register online at www.regonline.com/mfda2015

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Minnesota Funeral Directors Association

In This Issue From the Director........................................................... 4

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STAFF AND OTHER CONTACTS President Michael Cudmore Cease Funeral Home Bagley, MN michaelwcudmore@yahoo.com

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

Treasurer Shawn Kirby Kolden Funeral Service Le Sueur, MN shawntkirby@yahoo.com

Past President Michael Dahl Anderson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Montevideo, MN mdahl@maxminn.com

DISTRICT DIRECTORS Ashley Hoff (District 1) Hoff Funeral and Cremations Service St. Charles, MN hoff.ashleymarie@gmail.com

Dan Dahl (District 10) Dahl Funeral Home East Grand Forks, MN dahlfuneralhome@midconetwork.com

Shawn Kirby (District 2) Kolden Funeral Service Le Sueur, MN shawntkirby@yahoo.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 Michael Dahl (District 4) Anderson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Montevideo, MN mdahl@maxminn.com Raymond Bartlett (District 5) Johnson-Haglund Funeral Home Litchfield, MN funeral@hutchtel.net District 6 & 7 – Open Doug R Dingmann, CFSP (District 8) Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes, St. Cloud, MN dougdingmann@williamsdingmann.com Steve Sheets, CFSP (District 9) Schoeneberger Funeral Home Perham MN sheets.steve@yahoo.com

POLICY BOARD REPRESENTATIVE Leif Larsen

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

PAST PRESIDENT REP Norman Larsen

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

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Darlyne Erickson, CAE 763-416-0124 952-451-8950 (cell) info@mnfuneral.org

From the From the President......................................... 5 Legislative Notes............................................................. 6 MFDA to Host NFDA’s Certified Crematory Operator Program in Bloomington............................... 7 MFDA Annual Convention............................................ 8 Minnesota’s Newly Updated No Fault Law.................. 14 Celebrating 125 Years of MFDA, Part II..................... 16 In Memoriam................................................................. 17 Q&A with Federated Insurance................................... 18 Memorialization. A Constant Reminder...................... 18 “The Undertaker’s Daughter” Book Review................ 19 Assistance Available for Canadian Citizens that Die the US.....................................................................20 Todd Carlson Promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Sales Officer.......................................20 MFDA Allied Members................................................ 21 Classifieds......................................................................22

Calendar April 21, 2015, NFDA Certified Crematory Operator’s Program, Bloomington MN April 24-26, 2015, NFDA Women’s Professional Symposium, Chicago May 18-20, MFDA 125th Annual Convention Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Park, MN July 12-15, 2015, NFDA Leadership Conference Orlando, FL

Who We Are: Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association (MFDA) is the statewide resource dedicated to supporting our member’s growth professionally, ethically, and operationally.

What Is Our Mission: Our mission is to

enhance and support funeral service excellence through our programs, legislative representation and service to Minnesotans.

How 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

7046 East Fish Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55311 p: (763) 416-0124 f: (763) 545-9499 e: info@mnfuneral.org www.mnfuneral.org

• Promotion of integrity; honest and ethical behavior within the funeral industry • Collaboration with others in the interest of consumers and members • Recognize the importance of education as a vehicle to enhance both public service and public image

The MFDA Bulletin is published monthly for MDFA members. Copyright ©2015 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.

Classified ads are also available at $50 for up to 75 words. 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 Daylight Savings Time is here, and as far as I’m concerned it’s officially spring! We can’t complain too much, with the little snow and cold that we’ve endured! However, a few of us did find some weather in Washington D.C. last week during the NFDA Advocacy Summit. Shawn Kirby, Ashley Hoff, Leif Larsen, Norm Larsen and I attended. Fortunately Congress shut down the day after we made our Hill visits because of a stupendous 2-3 inches of snow! In all fairness, they really don’t know how to handle the stuff.

Additionally, a presentation on Mass Fatality in a High-Threat Environment by Jeffrey K. Beatty whose bio is extremely lengthy, but in a nutshell he served in all three of the country’s post elite counterterrorism organizations. He stressed the importance of funeral service being a key stakeholder in discussions on mass fatality management. This is a guy that I would like to bring to Minnesota and have speak to all of the stakeholders, i.e. funeral service, law enforcement, emergency management and others.

We were able to visit all but one of our Congressional offices and both Senate offices. All of the visits were very positive and we received an especially warm welcome from Rick Nolan, who was the only actual representative we spoke to. He and Norm struck up quite the conversation as the senior members of the group! NFDA always prepares us for these visits by outlining the issues that are important to funeral service. This year they included the following.

A panel discussion on Mass Fatality and Ebola Preparations for the Deathcare Profession

• Support Legislation to increase the value of the VA Burial and Funeral Benefits for our Nation’s Veterans, to $2000 across the board.

• Support Legislation to increase the value of the Lump Sum Death Benefit (LSDB) which has been capped for sixty years, from $255 to $1,000 • Support Legislation H.R. 250 to provide a permanent appropriation of funds for the payment of death gratuities and related benefits for survivors of deceased members of the uniformed services in event of any period of lapsed appropriations.

In addition to the Hill visits, we heard presentations from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and Funeral Service by the following individuals • Deborah Skillman/Program Director for Casualty, Mortuary Affairs and military funeral honors for the Office of the Undersecretary of for Personnel and Readiness.

• Jack E. Lechner Jr., CFSP, Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery.

• Kimberly Wright, Director of the Office of Field Program

4 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

• Addressing the mass fatality that occurred during the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta were R. Bryant Hightower, CFSP of Carrollton, Georgia and Alysia Wheeler English Executive Director and Lobbyist of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association • Addressing the two Ebola deaths were David Patterson, CFSP of Dallas, TX, , W. Scott Smith of Dallas, TX and Nick Douglas of Omaha, Nebraska.

All of the above gave me a lot of food for thought about what MFDA would do in the case of either a mass fatality or an outbreak such as Ebola. Are we prepared, and how do we keep the discussion going? How many people are actually D-Mort trained, and does MDH have a plan in place? A lot of questions that can and will be explored in the future.

And finally, THANK YOU to those who have chosen to renew their membership in MFDA. We appreciate your support, and look forward to seeing everyone at Convention!

Darlyne Erickson MFDA Executive Director

FROM THE PRESIDENT

View from Up North

By Michael Cudmore

This year marks the 125th Anniversary of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association. In 1890, I can imagine most funeral directors from outstate arrived at the convention in the cities by train. In the early years communication was poor and travel was poor. The convention was a gathering place to learn new ideas and to see new products from caskets, embalming fluids to funeral coaches.

Our convention committee has been busy preparing for the 2015 Minnesota Funeral Directors Association Convention . We have some fine speakers lined up and some good entertainment. It will give you a time to renew old acquaintances and a chance to get continuing education credits. Be sure to keep May 18-20 open on your calendar.

The convention will be at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center again this year. The Embassy Suites will be the convention hotel. For more information and to register, visit http://www.mnfuneral.org/?page=coned As part of the 125th convention, we will be raffling a 125th anniversary commemorative rifle depicting scenes of funeral service in Minnesota. The gun is 24-karat gold and nickel plated, and is truly beautiful.

As this article is being written, a group of MFDA members are in Washington, D.C. for the Advocacy Focus meeting. They will have a chance to visit with our lawmakers and hopefully have a chance to chat about laws regarding funeral service.

Our legislative committee and ad hoc committee members have been working with the Minnesota Health Department and providing input into the revisions of 149A. As with any issue compromise is the key to a good relationship. We will keep you informed as things progress.

I want to personally thank all board members, committee members, ad hoc members, Darlyne and her staff for the extra mile they give to MFDA. It is appreciated. Our lobbyists, Judy Cook and Joe Sellwood, you are a blessing. Thank you to all.

See you in May!

Michael Cudmore MFDA Board President

MFDA’S 125TH ANNUAL CONVENTION May 18-20, 2015

Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center Register online at www.regonline.com/mfda2015

www.mnfuneral.org 5

1-800-443-2773

Spring 2015 Legislative Update

1-844-219-9643

Family owned & operated for over 20 years!

By Judy Cook, Cook Girard Associates

Budget Forecast With two months down and three to go in the 2015 legislative session, lawmakers are working hard on policy bills and are beginning to craft their budget proposals.

On Friday, February 27th, Minnesota Management and Budget released its revised budget forecast, adjusting the projected FY2016-2017 surplus upward to $1.895 billion, an increase of $832 million over the November budget forecast. The rising surplus is attributed to an improving US economy, lower oil prices and a strong dollar. Following MMB’s announcement, the GOP was quick to call for returning the surplus to Minnesotans while the DFL claimed vindication, lauding the surplus as proof their tax increases and spending over the past two years improved the state’s economy.

MFDA Concerns

New • Used • Leasing • Financing

www.4HEARSE.com 6 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

The primary legislation of concern to MFDA is the Department of Health Mortuary Science Division proposal that was included in the Governor’s budget. The HHS Omnibus bills will include the Department of Health’s changes to 149A. The bill has been introduced in the Senate and House, and has received one hearing in the Senate thus far. The bill includes:

• Two-week wait period to retake state licensing evaluation • 2,080 hour requirement for internships • Increase to 15 required continuing education credit hours • Increased licensure fees • Removal of the preparation room exemption (grandfather) clause • Audit on preneed trust accounts if the commissioner has a reasonable belief to suspect account irregularities On behalf of MFDA, we have been in ongoing discussions with the Department and legislators to address MFDA’s concerns. We will keep MFDA updated as the legislation progresses and will also provide information on any other issues of concern to MFDA that arise.

Legislative Calendar March 20: First bill deadline March 27: Second bill deadline/start of legislative break (one week) April 24: Third bill deadline May 18: Constitutionally designated adjournment date

MFDA to Host NFDA’s Certified Crematory Operator Program in Bloomington With the increasing rate of cremation, it’s more important than ever for you to be fully prepared to serve families that choose cremation. That includes having a firm grasp on your professional and ethical responsibilities to the families you serve. NFDA’s Certified Crematory Operator (CCO) Program was developed for all funeral professionals - even those who use a third-party crematory. After completing the program, you will have a thorough understanding of your legal and ethical obligations during the entire cremation process, from the moment you take a decedent into your care, until you return the cremated remains to the family.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015 Registration: 7:30 - 8 a.m. (continental breakfast available) Seminar: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Seminar Location: Double Tree by Hilton Bloomington – Minneapolis South 7800 Normandale Boulevard, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439

The NFDA CCO program is for any funeral professional who offers cremation services to families – and that’s almost everyone – whether your firm owns a crematory or uses a third-party. The program, which is even taught by two licensed funeral directors, covers everything you need to know in order to knowledgeably and ethically provide cremation services to families. Topics that are covered include:

Seminar Presenters Mike Nicodemus, NFDA Vice President, Cremation Services Mike Watkins, CFSP, NFDA Senior Vice President, Operations CE

• Cremation ethics • Serving cremation families • Principles of combustion • Crematory equipment operations • Written authorizations • Cremation process and procedures • Shipping cremated remains • Cremation safety and compliance • Liability and risk avoidance • Public and community relations As the trusted leader in funeral service, NFDA set the bar higher with a cremation certification program that not only emphasizes professional excellence and customer service, but reinforces the important role that ethics plays in serving families that choose cremation.

To register, visit http://nfda.org/shippingevents/details/651nfda-cco-seminar-bloomington-minneapolis-minnesota.html

Course Description The CCO course is based on the NFDA Certified Crematory Operator Standards Manual, which attendees will receive at the seminar. CCO certification requires passing a take-home test to be distributed at the seminar.

Seminar is approved for up to 7 CE hours by APFSP and most state licensing boards.

Seminar Fee (U.S. Dollars on U.S. Bank) MFDA or NFDA Member..................................................$495 (CE) Nonmember Funeral Director......................................... $655 (CE) Non-Funeral Director................................................. $495 (No CE) Student Member......................................................... $160 (No CE) Special pricing is available for multiple attendees from the same firm and active-duty military personnel. Call your member services representative at 800-228-6332 for details.

Seminar fee includes CCO manual, seminar presentation, continental breakfast and lunch, exam and scoring, CE processing and certificate.

REGISTER NOW AND ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A SPOT AT THE SEMINAR! CANCELLATION POLICY: Full refund if cancellation received at least one business day prior to event. $50 fee applies to cancellations received day of event. All cancellations must be in writing: FAX to NFDA, 262-789-6977.

Anderson Appointed to Board of Regents Congratulations to Tom Anderson of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria for his election to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. Tom has asked us to convey his sincere gratitude to any MFDA member who may have contacted their legislator on his behalf during the election process.

www.mnfuneral.org 7

2015 MFDA ANNUAL CONVENTION Celebrating 125 Years!

Join us!

MAY 18–20, 2015

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Join us for education, fun, camaraderie, education, great food, motivational speakers, and 125 years of your association. We will be Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future. You do not want to miss it!

The WHY of Meaningful Funerals: Helping Families Make Transformations Dr. Alan Wolfelt Sponsored by Batesville Casket Co. This keynote presentation will explore the WHYS of meaningful funerals in ways that allow participants to discover a cause for action. Program content will include current trends influencing the families you serve, a definition of the concept of “transformation”, and specific action-oriented steps you can take to not only survive, but thrive into the future. Come learn with one of North America’s leading death educators and grief counselors.

Dr. Alan Wolfelt is a noted author, educator, and grief counselor.

He is the recipient of the Association of Death Education and Counseling’s Death Educator Award. He serves as the Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, Colorado.

He is the author of numerous books, including “Creating Meaningful Funeral,” “Funeral Home Customer Service A to Z,” and “Living in the Shadow of the Ghosts of Grief.” He has been highly respected as a “change-agent” in his role as a consultant to funeral service. Many of his books are required reading for mortuary science students.

Embalming Seminar Jack Adams Sponsored by Gregg Bright of The Dodge Co. Jack Adams is a fourth generation funeral director and embalmer. He has more than 40 years of experience in funeral service and is considered one of the world’s foremost embalming authorities. He has presented embalming seminars throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

8 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

It is estimated that Jack has embalmed well in excess of 25,000 human remains.

Jack is a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and has earned his Funeral Service Professional certification. He is also a faculty member of The Dodge Institute Seminars, a member of the Dodge Research and Development Staff, and a regular contributing author to The Dodge Magazine.

In addition, he represents The Dodge Company in Northern Illinois.

Jack is a 1963 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science and along with working for The Dodge Company in Northern Illinois as a sales representative; he is an Embalming Lab Instructor at Worsham College.

What a Mortician Needs to Know When Working with Implanted Biomedical and Therapeutic Devices Angela McArthur, Director of the Anatomy Bequest Program at the University of Minnesota’s Medical School In this 90 minute presentation the presenter will discuss common biomechanical and therapeutic devices which are often implanted in individuals seeking medical treatment. Occupational and environmental safety issues impacting morticians and crematory operators, such as the safe removal and disposition of implanted devices, will be addressed. The presenter will inform the audience of a new Medtronic leadless pacemaker currently in clinical trials and explain some of opportunities and challenges this new technology brings to mortuary science practitioners and crematory operators.

2015 MFDA ANNUAL CONVENTION Celebrating 125 Years!

REGISTRATION

Please fill out the form below OR register online at www.regonline.com/mfda2015

REGISTER EARLY AND RECEIVE A $25 DISCOUNT! Complete the registration form below and return it to MFDA postmarked on or before Friday, May 8 and save! Forms returned after May 9 should include the full registration fee. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name (Please print or type) Name on badge _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Firm name _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address/City/State/Zip _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone number Email address Registration* Please select the appropriate registration fees below. ❑❑ MFDA Member Funeral Director $195 ($220 after May 8) ❑❑ MFDA Funeral Home Preneed Counselor $195 ($220 after May 8) ❑❑ Guest** $95 ($120 after May 8) Guest name for badge:__________________________________________________________ ❑❑ U of M Mortuary Science Student Free ($25 after May 8) ❑❑ Non-Member $420 ($445 after May 8) Events Please select the following events you will attend. ❑❑ Monday, May 18, Pre-Convention Event 1920s Gangster Funeral – $40 per person # attending__________

Pre-registration requested by 5/6/2015. Limited number of tickets available. Non-members welcome.

Total Enclosed $ _________________ q MasterCard_

q VISA q Check (Make payable to MFDA)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Credit card number Expiration date CSV code Billing zip _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Print name as it appears on card ❑❑ If you require special assistance or have dietary requirements please check box and attach a statement of your needs. * Registration includes: Daily admission to Convention program sessions, all Exhibit Hall functions including meal functions. ** A Guest is a non funeral director who is a guest of a licensed funeral director. Out of respect for our exhibitors, non-exhibiting suppliers or sponsor members are not allowed to register or attend the Convention.

Send Completed Form:

By Fax (with credit card information) to: (763) 545-9499

By Mail (with payment) to:

Minnesota Funeral Directors Association

7046 E. Fish Lake Rd

Maple Grove, MN 55311

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF MFDA AND THE 125TH ANNUAL CONVENTION AND EXPO!

www.mnfuneral.org 9

2015 MFDA ANNUAL CONVENTION Celebrating 125 Years!

MAY 18–20, 2015

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS The Enduring Relevance of Obituaries Steve Yaeger, Star Tribune Media Co. Vice President of Marketing Nearly 90% of passings in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area are recognized by an obituary in the Star Tribune. Every day, these stories of individual lives add to the mosaic that tells the story of Minnesota.

And more than three-quarters of readers say they read these remembrances every week, making them one of the most popular destinations for Minnesotans, both in print and online.

Why does the newspaper obituary have such enduring relevance in today’s culture, as other digital and social media proliferate? What value does the obituary have in your service offerings? In this session Star Tribune will share the findings and trends from both consumer research and funeral director focus groups on what consumers find valuable in sharing—and reading—remembrances. We’ll discuss what makes a well-written (and well-read) obit, and you’ll hear about the four distinct types of obituary readers.

Steve Yaeger is vice president of marketing for Star Tribune. He oversees consumer and advertiser research, as well as new product development.

Helping Children Understand Cremation Coral Popowitz, Children’s Grief Connection Executive Director Andy McNiel, National Alliance for Grieving Children Executive Director Depending on age and development children struggle to understand the concept of death, including cremation. This session will discuss how children understand death at different developmental stages and guide funeral directors through the process of explaining cremation to children and/or parents of children. Current research on children and grief will be presented and the discussion on the long-term effects of how well children manage grief whether their loved one has been cremated or buried. Discussion will culminate with suggestions for how to speak to families with children on these topics during arrangements.

Coral Popowitz, MSW, LGSW, CT has led Children’s Grief Connection as Executive Director for seven years and has been in private practice grief counseling for fourteen years. As a licensed social worker and nationally certified thanatalogist Coral has spoken at numerous social worker, psychologist, police chaplain and school social work conferences throughout the Midwest.

Andy McNiel, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC). The NAGC advocates, educates and raises awareness regarding issues related to supporting children and teenagers grieving the death of someone in their life. Andy has served numerous non-profit organizations over the past 22 years, most recently providing organizational leadership as Executive Director of The Amelia Center, a grief counseling center in Birmingham Alabama.

10 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

Cremation…What are the Risks Jim Starks, CFuE, CCrE, J. Starks Consulting Failure to properly manage risks involved with providing cremation services and/or operating a crematory is an invitation for disaster.

Focused on operations and compliance, this presentation was created for crematory owners and operators, as well as funeral home owners and employees.

Jim Starks will reveal the mishaps, both accidental and intentional, associated with cremation services before reviewing the systems and procedures that should be implemented to prevent them. Topics examined include assuring identification, obtaining authorization, cleaning equipment, handling and disposing of residue, storing remains, labeling receptacles, releasing remains, using forms, and maintaining records.

Mr. Starks’ entire career has been focused on all aspects of the operation and management of funeral homes and related businesses.

The Kerley & Starks Funeral Homes in Michigan performed over 600 calls per year. In 2010 he started J. Starks Consulting specializing in funeral home and crematory risk management. Mr. Starks is a licensed funeral director in the States of Michigan and Indiana. In 2014 was elected to the ICCFA Board of Directors.

One More Funeral Per Month Bruce R. Matza, Innovations in Management Listen to people in your community to learn what influences them to choose a Funeral Home. These focus groups provide key information that can allow your Funeral Home to take one funeral a month from your competitors.

We conduct multiple focus group sessions with people who used your Funeral Home; people who used your competitor; people who may have to plan a funeral in the next several years and members of the clergy. The results always indicate key initiatives that a Funeral Home can initiate to increase their share of market.

In this presentation, we will share the process and the outcomes of past focus groups in several Midwest locations.

Key Outcomes: 1. Better understand some of the steps you can take to listen to people in your community.

2. Learn what past Consumers and Clergy said about choosing a Funeral Home.

3. Consider if the process of focus groups is right for your Funeral Home.

Bruce R. Matza brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, staff & customer retention and customer service. He has over 35 years of experience with such prominent brands as Neiman Marcus, where he was a senior executive for 20 years. Bruce has been featured in many articles and stories in addition to being a guest on The NBC Today Show.

“I didn’t know we could do that!”

Todd Carlson, Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Sales Officer

Update from Army National Guard Honor Guard Chris Van Hofwegen, Military Funeral Honors Coordinator (MFH) for State of Minnesota

Are the needs of funeral consumers changing? Absolutely! Are they looking for a more relevant and personal way to say “Goodbye”?

There’s no doubt about it! Todd will explain in detail how to engage with families in news ways that lead to meaningful, unique, and healing funeral events.

Chris is a retired Major, retired 2005. He started in the program on October 9, 2007. The MFH Program started in 2000. Minnesota has been a part of the program since 2004. Program under his leadership started by conducting 276 funerals in 2007 to conducting 5,000 funerals in 2014. The program covers all branches of service and works with VSOs and the other branches of service to support the funeral homes and our veteran families across the state. Currently there are 16 full-time soldiers in four locations. There are as many as 40 part-time soldiers supporting the entire state of Minnesota.

The key to providing greater value to an ever-changing market is asking better, more creative questions. When you bridge the gap between the unspoken needs of the families you serve and their desire for a truly unique event, you will begin to hear, “I didn’t know we could do that!”

By learning to ask great questions, identify significant themes, and suggest meaningful options, you will truly delight your families. Your community will know you as the funeral director that truly understands the needs of today’s families.

Todd is Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Sales Officer for Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company. Todd has worked in funeral service continuously since receiving his Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota in 1989. He worked 5 years as a funeral director and has spent the balance of this time focused on funeral pre-arrangement. Todd is a licensed funeral director and insurance agent, and is a Certified Pre-Planning Consultant®, a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner®, and a Certified Cremation Arranger.

Legislative Issues and the Importance of PAC Joe Sellwood, Cook Girard Associates Joe Sellwood joined Cook Girard Associates in the 2013 legislative session, with a background in business sales at a leading data processing and fulfillment company. Sellwood quickly became an important part of the Cook Girard team, monitoring hearings, floor sessions and gathering critical information for clients during the fast-paced session. He utilizes his passion for politics and public policy, drawing on his experience as field staff for three MN House of Representative campaigns during the 2012 election.

What Happens if an Officer Dies in Your Community Jeff Beahen, Chief of Rogers Police Department and President of the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA)

OSHA Training Mark Arnold, Funeral Director Mark Arnold is a 1986 graduate from the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Program. Mark has chaired and served the OSHA Compliance Committee that has provided OSHA compliance awareness for Minnesota funeral directors. He is a qualified OSHA compliance trainer and consultant for the funeral industry throughout Minnesota and surrounding states. Currently Mark works as a licensed funeral director for the David Lee Funeral Home in Wayzata, MN.

NFDA Update Bob Arrington, COO, President-Elect of the National Funeral Directors Association Bob Arrington, CCO, founder and president of Arrington Funeral Directors in Jackson, TN, is the 2014-15 president-elect of the National Funeral Directors Association.

As president-elect, Arrington will assist the Association’s president with his duties and, in his absence, will preside over the NFDA Executive Board, Policy Board, House of Delegates, International Convention & Expo, Leadership Conference and Advocacy Summit. Arrington will represent NFDA and its mission at state funeral association conventions, and will serve on several committees and subcommittees.

On a national level, Arrington served as Tennessee’s representative to the NFDA Policy Board. For the past year, he has served as NFDA Treasurer. He has served as a member of NFDA’s Governance, Audit, Budget, Spokesperson and Trustee of the Funeral Service Foundation.

Session descriptions continue on page 12…

Chief Beahen will discuss what services LEMA provides to fallen police officer funerals, and how including the funeral director in the planning is key.

www.mnfuneral.org 11

2015 MFDA ANNUAL CONVENTION

MAY 18–20, 2015

Celebrating 125 Years!

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS (CONTINUED) Funeral Directors and CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) – We Can Do Better!

J. Robert Kassai, CFSP, NJ Funeral Director Robert has received advanced training from the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security and from the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute. Robert’s interest in Creutzfeld-JakobDisease (CJD) began in 1991. Since then he has embalmed and assisted on several CJD bodies and has regularly attended conferences on various aspects related to the care and processing of CJD victims.

In 1999, Robert attended the World Health Organization Conference on Creutzfeld-Jakob-Disease in Geneva. As a member of the CJD

Foundation, Robert attended the annual conferences since it beginning in the year 2000. He currently is a member of the Creutzfeld-JakobDisease Board of Directors as Co-Chairman of Funeral Director/ Embalmers Education Committee. In 2004, Robert traveled to the United Kingdom and Edinburgh, Scotland to meet with Gil Turner, Director of the CJD Support Organization in London and Robert G.Will, MD.FRCP, MRCP of the National CJD Surveillance Unit.

Robert is currently an affiliate of the Patrick J.Conte Funeral Home, Elmwood Park, NJ.as licensed funeral director. He is a member of the National CJD Foundation, Board Member of the American Society of Embalmers, Member of both New Jersey State Funeral Directors and Bergen County Funeral Directors Association.

MFDA SOCIAL EVENTS 1920s Gangster Funeral: For ‘Boss Man’ Mort U. Ary Monday, May 18 7-11pm (Buses to leave Brooklyn Center at 6pm) Wabasha Street Caves Cost: $40 (Includes dinner and drink tickets.

Non-members welcome.)

Join us to kick off our 125th convention on Monday, May 18 as we attend the funeral for notorious gangster Mort U. Ary. Buses will leave the Embassy Suites Minneapolis-North at Photo courtesy of waba shast reetcaves.com 6pm, and arrive at the Wabasha Street Caves in St Paul for a fabulous evening of dinner, drinks, and swing dancing to a live swing band! Who was this Mort U. Ary gangster, and how did he end up in the “Chicago overcoat” (casket)?

1920s dress is encouraged - wear your fedoras and flapper dresses! Sponsored by Doric Dealers of MN. Commemorative mugs will be provided to all attendees of the event, compliments of the University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science Alumni Society.

12 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

Exhibit Hall Opening Party Tuesday, May 19

4:45-7:30pm Earle Brown Heritage Center As you visit all of our amazing exhibitors during the opening of the 125th exhibit hall, enjoy delicious hors d oeuvres’ and drinks.

Convention Hotel The MFDA Convention hotel is the Embassy Suites Minneapolis-North (connected to Earle Brown Center) 6300 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN To make reservations, call 763-560-2700 and ask for the MFDA room block or the website at:

www.minneapolisnorth.embassysuites.com Enter group code: FDG King or Double Queen Rooms.................................$106 Two Bedroom/Two Bath Suites................................$199

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE Monday, May 18 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m...............................................MFDA Board Meeting 7:00-11:00 p.m.............Gangster Funeral Party, Wabasha Street Caves, St. Paul (Buses will leave the Embassy Suites Mpls-North at 6:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, May 19 7:00 a.m........................................................ Attendee Registration Open 8:00-8:50 a.m.................................................... Past Presidents Breakfast 8:00-8:50 a.m...................................................................... OSHA Training 9:00-10:50 a.m....... Dr. Alan Wolfelt, The WHY of Meaningful Funerals: Helping Families Make Transformations 11:00-11:50 a.m.................................................. Service of Remembrance 12:00-1:30 p.m......................... Lunch/Officer Installation/NFDA Report 1:45-2:35 p.m................................................................. Breakout Sessions 2:35-3:00 p.m.................................................................... Afternoon Break 3:00-4:50 p.m...................................... Jack Adams, Embalming Seminar 4:45-7:30 p.m..........................................Exhibit Hall Opening Reception

Wednesday, May 20 7:30 a.m..........................................................................Registration Open 7:30-8:00 a.m........................................................... Continental Breakfast 8:00-8:50 a.m................................................................ Breakout Sessions 9:00-9:50 a.m................................................................. Breakout Sessions 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m...................................................... Exhibit Hall Open 12:00-1:20 p.m......................................... Lunch/MFDA Business Session MDH Update/ 50 Year Awards 1:30-3:00 p.m....... Angela McArthur, What a Mortician Needs to Know When Working with Implanted Biomedical and Therapeutic Devices 3:00-3:50 p.m...................................................................... OSHA Training

9.5 Funeral Director CEUs available over both days.

www.mnfuneral.org 13

Minnesota’s Newly Updated No-fault Law and Its Effect on Funeral Arrangements: Relief for Your Families and Opportunities for Your Business

By Michael D. Sharkey, Esq.

All but the most junior of funeral directors have had the experience of serving a family whose loved one died in a car accident. As a profession we recognize that a car accident death is unlike the pending death of a terminally ill person that a family can, and often does, prepare for. Auto deaths are truly tragic as they are never anticipated and affect all ages, sexes, creeds, socioeconomic groups, and occur regardless of a person’s health.

While the catastrophic effect of the death will never be easily dealt with, a new law in Minnesota, effective January 1, 2015, may help to ease the financial burden of a death resulting from the use of an automobile.

Minnesota Traffic Deaths and the New Law According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety there were 387 traffic fatalities in 2013 and 395 traffic fatalities in 2012.

While there may be small statistical variations from year to year there will, sadly, always be a certain quantum of deaths resulting from the use of an automobile. A family who loses a loved one in a car accident not only has the strain of dealing with the death itself, but often finds that they cannot have the kind of funeral they want due to financial considerations. To assist families with this, and tacitly in recognition of inflation, the Minnesota Legislature has changed the No-fault funeral and burial expense benefit (sometimes erroneously called the No-fault death benefit) from $2,000 to $5,000 effective January 1, 2015.

The funeral and burial expense benefit is codified in Minn. Stat. §65B.44 subd. 4. The new law reads “Funeral and burial benefits shall be reasonable expenses not in excess of $5,000, including expenses for cremation or delivery under the Darlene Luther Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 525A.” While the wording is a bit confusing, it requires the appropriate No-fault insurer to contribute an amount of up to $5,000 toward a funeral, burial, or cremation (this article will not address anatomical gifts- that is a whole separate issue). Thus, if the bill for a funeral and burial is $6,000, the insurer will contribute $5,000 toward payment of the funeral and burial expenses. If the bill for a funeral and burial is $4,800 the insurer will contribute $4,800 toward the funeral and burial expenses. This also applies to cremation and any funeral services that are selected in addition to cremation.

This is a very positive new law for families that suffer an automobile accident death as it is a 250% increase in the No-fault funeral and burial expense benefit. This means that a family will have more resources to put towards memorializing their loved one at a time of unexpected tragedy.

14 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

Who Is Covered by No-fault Insurance?

All Minnesota automobile policies require basic No-fault insurance (aka “Personal Injury Protection”). In order to receive the funeral and burial expense benefit (i.e.- coverage) the death must arise from the “maintenance or use of a motor vehicle.” See Minn. Stat. §65B.43 subd. 3. The definition of maintenance or use of a motor vehicle is itself the subject of a very large volume of case law which is too complicated to discuss in this article. Generally speaking any car accident would qualify, including any accident in which a pedestrian is killed by a car.

For the benefit to apply there must be a causal relationship between the death and the automobile. Thus, someone thrown from a car would qualify, as would someone whose death occurs several days after the accident if they died from the injuries sustained in the accident. Anyone whose death is ruled a “traffic fatality” would almost certainly qualify.

Some interesting Minnesota case law examples of who is and who is not covered help to illustrate the issue that the death must occur from the “maintenance or use of a motor vehicle”: if an individual were to accidentally shoot himself while in a car- no coverage exists (the car had nothing to do with the cause of death); if an individual flees police in his vehicle and is shot to death by the police when attempting to exit the vehicle- coverage does exist (but for the use of the vehicle in fleeing the police there would not have been a death); a person is kidnapped into a vehicle and later murdered- no coverage exists (the death was not the result of the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle); a man is pushed into a road during a fight and killed by a passing car- coverage exists (the car caused the death). Again, there is an entire body of case law as to what constitutes a covered death. For the purposes of this article it is sufficient to state that a death resulting from a car accident is covered.

Those Deaths for Which the Funeral and Burial Benefit Does Not Apply The Minnesota No-fault Act does not cover motorcycles and therefore a motorcycle fatality is not covered unless there is a specific purchase of No-fault motorcycle coverage (which is very rare as it is quite expensive). Strangely, a pedestrian who is struck and killed by a motorcycle is covered. Any death that results from racing a car is not covered if it is a sanctioned race. However, it would appear that a death from an impromptu drag race might be covered (there is no case law on point).

Traffic Deaths in Other States May Be Covered A Minnesotan who has a Minnesota car insurance policy who dies in a traffic fatality in another state or Canada has coverage. Also included as covered individuals would be anyone who is riding in the Minnesotan’s car regardless of what state they are a resident of. With a few certain exceptions a Minnesotan who has a Nofault policy (i.e. any Minnesota car insurance policy) is covered even if he or she is killed in a car that they do not own in a traffic fatality occurring in another state or Canada.

Interestingly, a person who is not a resident of Minnesota who is driving through Minnesota is deemed, under Minnesota law, to have No-fault insurance. In other words, a Wisconsin resident who travels to Minnesota in his Wisconsin-licensed and Wisconsininsured car has a right to No-fault benefits. This is clear under Minn. Stat. §65B.50. What is less clear, and too complicated to address here, is whether the Wisconsinite’s insurer would have to pay the benefit or if the benefit would be sought from the Minnesota Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). The MACP is the State’s own insurance fund which covers certain gray-areas of law and those who have no insurance on their own or are killed by an uninsured vehicle.

Which Insurer Pays the Benefits?

There is a hierarchy of which insurer should pay a benefit under Minnesota’s No-fault system. The simplest way to explain the order of which insurer pays, in order of priority, is: 1) the automobile insurer for the deceased (this assumes the deceased has automobile insurance); 2) the automobile insurer for the vehicle the deceased was occupying at the time of the accident; 3) any vehicle involved in the accident.

There is a “business exception” rule which requires that if the deceased was in a vehicle being used in the transportation of persons or property or if it was an employer-furnished vehicle the benefit should be sought from the insurer of that vehicle rather than the deceased’s own insurer.

How to Apply The application process for the funeral and burial expense benefit varies by insurance company but is generally a matter of filing out a claim form (aka benefit request form) for that particular insurer and sending in a Death Certificate along with the itemized Statement of Funeral Goods and Services. A Traffic Fatality Report or Police Report may be required by some insurers in order to verify that the death was within the scope of the Nofault Act (i.e. arising out of the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle).

The Role of the Funeral Director and Adding Value to Your Services In conducting research for this article your author spoke with several claims adjustors at different insurance companies who

handle No-fault claims. All the claims adjustors your author interviewed stated that they would rather deal with a funeral director than a family when it came to processing a funeral and burial expense benefit claim. The reasons given for this preference were: funeral directors understand paperwork; funeral homes have the technology to interface with the insurer (fax, email, scanner, PDF ability, etc.); and that funeral directors are accurate. One claims adjustor stated that he would rather deal with the funeral director because then he did not have to speak with grieving family members. The point here is that claims adjustors generally appear to prefer interacting with the funeral directors as opposed to the family.

This is where the funeral director can add great value to her services. Processing the relatively small amount of paperwork needed to make a No-fault funeral and burial expense benefit claim on behalf of a family is not that much extra work in the grand scheme. Yet, this relatively small amount of extra work will yield very positive results for the funeral home business. Not only does the funeral director add value by assisting the family, the funeral operation stands in a better business position because there will be up to $5,000 in benefit monies to work with in order to serve the family’s needs.

Conclusion Going forward in 2015 there will likely be, as a matter of statistics, 375-390 traffic fatalities in Minnesota. Barring some strange outlier circumstance each of those decedents will qualify for No-fault funeral and burial expense benefits. The funeral director serving the deceased’s family adds value to her services by assisting the family with the No-fault funeral and burial expense benefit application- benefitting the family in a time of unexpected tragedy. Furthermore, the funeral home’s bottom line benefits as insurance funds of $5,000 are now available.

Funeral directors in Minnesota have always prided themselves on service to families. The new No-fault funeral and burial expense benefit in effect as of January 1, 2015 provides another opportunity for the profession to show their commitment to the families they serve.

Michael D. Sharkey is a litigation attorney at Cousineau McGuire in Minneapolis. He is also a licensed funeral director. In addition to defending businesses and individuals in the State and Federal Courts of Minnesota and Wisconsin he represents funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries in all aspects of mortuary law, including representation before the Minnesota Department of Health. He is General Counsel to the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and a member of the MFDA and the Minnesota Association of Cemeteries. Attorney Sharkey can be contacted at 952-525-6990 or mds@cousineaulaw.com.

www.mnfuneral.org 15

Celebrating 125 Years of MFDA – Part II The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association celebrates our 125th anniversary this year. Former MFDA Executive Director Gary Larsen chronicled a lengthy history of the association for the 100th Anniversary. In the last issue, we highlighted from this history, the beginning years of MFDA and NFDA. We continue with a look at the turn of the century through the early 1920’s.

Formula 3 had won favor as the best product and was then manufactured and distributed by M.J. Gill to association members who shared in the cost of production. They were soon accepting orders from a 10 state area. MFDA and the University of Minnesota released the formula to the public domain and it became the standard for fluids in that era.

At the turn of the century, MFDA founders who advocated for licensure so as to be viewed as professionals who tend to public needs. As Gary Larsen recounts: “A.E. Losey of Brainerd was reelected MFDA president in 1900, having succeeded the energetic Crosby in 1899- It was to be a controversial year for the 10-year old association. There was a buzz saw of protests from non-member undertakers. They even called themselves, in hearing testimony, “average undertakers.” They feared MFDA-proposed exams and licensing would drive them from their jobs. Rail Road Baggage Men, a powerful lobbying group at the time, objected to shipping rules that permitted embalmed remains to be shipped ice-free and in unsealed coffins.”

The following is excerpted from Gary Larsen’s historical account.

“1907 was a banner year. MFDA beat back efforts of these selfdescribed “average undertakers” at the State Legislature and got a bill passed that required mandatory state licensing, for public health reasons. For a few years, licensing had been optional and offered through MFDA seminars featuring Prof. Hohenshuch at the University.

But in 1907, you had to be licensed.

In addition, MFDA was active in creating embalming fluids. In 1900, MFDA President Albert Losey worked with the University of MN to create a formula for embalming. This early group was very active politically as well. MFDA asked for and received a $500 grant in 1902 from the Legislature to fund the embalming fluid study at the University. They also received another $500 grant for 1903. Under the leadership of Dr. Frankforter at the University, three formulas were created and tested. Formula #3 proved to be the best.

The Legislative Committee was not successful at the Legislature in 1901 and 1903 to shipping rules proposed by MFDA through the state health board that would allow embalmed remains to be shipped without the requirements that required an undertaker to wrap the body in cotton and ship in a metal box and soldered airtight. Each state also had different shipping rules.

“Under the aggressive leadership of Dr. Bracken of the state health board, rules were pushed through the 1905 Legislature that permitted embalmed remains to be shipped without the extensive prior requirements. Very significantly, and somewhat subtly, the new rules from the health board also said only its (state) licensed embalmers could prepare the remains for shipment’” wrote historian Gary Larsen.

Success continued with the next two legislative sessions to obtain MFDA’s primary goal – licensing. Under the leadership of Legislative Committee Chair Fred Gee of Monticello, licensing was granted in 1907. MFDA members learned the art of lobbying using members statewide to work with their elected officials. Most of those on the committee were “outstate”.

MFDA joined NFDA in 1900 and the national conventions were hosted by state associations. MFDA hosted the 1903 Convention; it’s first of five such efforts. W.L. Grapp of Waseca was MFDA President.

Gary Larsen noted: “A bold step in 1903, adopted by resolution at the MFDA convention, was to prepare a bill for the legislature to “prevent the incompetent embalmer to jeopardize the public health.”

This was the first mandatory licensing bill. It was lobbied heavily, and lost. Those self-described “average” undertakers argued it would “legislate [them] out of business.”

16 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

It was under President W. B. Marr that the bill finally passed, with Orlando Simmons of Glencoe as VP. Spearheading the bill at the Capitol was Fred Gee of Monticello, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, working with St. Paul’s J. A. Willwerscheid. Barr was happy to announce the successful passage at the MFDA Convention that licensing was a reality, and noted that only MFDA offered the training to take the exam!”

Following this success, MFDA pursued another goal a new school on embalming at the University. In 1908, the University agreed to set up a school for embalmers if MFDA agreed that the six week course would break even. Seventeen students enrolled in that first class with a tuition of $50, ($5 of which went to the Health Board for the exam and licensee fee.) Fourteen graduated and it was deemed an educational and financial success. However, the next class was not held until 1914.

Working with the State Board of Health and the University, the new school of embalming was founded and expanded to eight weeks training. In 1916, MFDA agreed to continue promoting enrollment but dropped any financial connection.

“No one knows when it started, but the first MFDA member bulletin was called “Dope Pot.” (It was an attempt at humor, probably, as the phrase then was “getting the dope” - - meaning, information to members) Motorized hearses were introduced into Minnesota in about 1909.

They would replace ornate or plain horse-drawn hearses and, in the Twin Cities, funeral trolley cars that ran to cemeteries “on the line”.

(Trolleys were hired by the family, cost about $18 to rent, but proved unpopular, and were short-lived as procession vehicles.)

Interestingly, motorized hearses at first gained favor in mid-sized towns (Rochester, St. Cloud, and Duluth) more readily than in the Twin Cities area. Why? “Dope Pot,” MFDA’s newsletter, speculated that metro liveries had considerable investment in horses and carriages, and “did not easily convert to being motorized.” Buggy whips were clearly on the way out by 1912.

It now put the funeral director fully in charge of transportation, linking him or her more closely with the family. No longer did the family call the livery or the city trolley company for the procession, for the funeral director handled that, too, and with his own motorized equipment,” notes Gary Larsen.

IN MEMORIAM Ronald W. Johnson, age 83, of Minnetonka. Former co-owner of the Strobeck Johnson Chapel and manager of Washburn- McReavy Strobeck Johnson Chapel in Hopkins. Graduated from Excelsior High School and the University of MN Dept. of Mortuary Science.

Longtime member of All Saints Lutheran Church. Past president and 50+ year member of the Hopkins Rotary. Preceded in death by his parents, O.R. and Irene Johnson; uncles, Art, Al and Ralph Johnson.

Survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lois; daughter, Kristen Ragozzino; son, Gregg Johnson; grandson, Bradley (Catherine) Ragozzino; granddaughter, Lia Ragozzino; brother, Oreland (Arlene) Johnson; cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation Sunday January 25, 2015 4-7 PM at the Washburn-McReavy Strobeck Johnson Chapel, 1400 Mainstreet Hopkins. Service Monday 2 PM with visitation one hour before at All Saints Lutheran Church,

15915 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka.

Interment Grand- View Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to All Saints Lutheran Church, Hopkins Rotary or Macular Degeneration Research. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Strobeck Johnson 952-938-9020 Butch White, age 76 of Mpls., passed away January 30th. Survived by loving wife Helen; sons Ralph Timothy (Ruthann), Todd (Kathe), Terrence (Christine); daughter, Annette; grandchildren, Scott (Heather), Robyn, Margaret, Andrew, Kylie, Claire, Samuel, Jack, Gabbie & Sonja; great grandson, Odin; brothers, John (Pat) & Bill (Mary) White; sisters, Janet Phelan & Mary Hewson Stanton (Lenny); sister-inlaw, Mary Koosmann. Preceded in death by parents Ralph A. Sr. and Marge White; brother, Jim White and parents-in-law Walter and Helen Zahradka. Ralph was a graduate of Incarnation School, St. Thomas Academy and the University of Minnesota.

He owned and operated White Funeral Home on Hennepin Ave. for decades.

He was a past president of the Southwest Lions Club and member of the Knights of Columbus. Ralph’s family gratefully acknowledges the N.C. Little Hospice for making these past days so comfortable for him and his family. Special thanks to Dr. Gary Brunkow for his care and concern.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Thursday at the Church of St. Peter, 6730 Nicollet Ave S., Richfield. Visitation Wed. 5-8 PM at Gearty-Delmore Park Chapel, 3960 Wooddale Ave S. St. Louis Park and Thursday at church one hour before Mass. Memorials preferred to N.C. Little Hospice, 7019 Lynmar Lane, Edina, St. Thomas Academy, 949 Mendota Hts. Road, Mendota, MN. 55120 or the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation at 8330 Ward Parkway, Suite 510, Kansas City, MO 64114 or www.pkdcure.org/donate

www.mnfuneral.org 17

Q&A with

Federated Insurance Can you pro-rate pay for an exempt employee, who worked a partial week upon separation?

Q: We have an exempt employee that separated in the middle of a workweek.

We prorated his salary that week to reflect only the days he worked. He is coming back now stating that he had worked 40 hours that week before he left. Does that have any bearing on the pay, or are we ok with leaving it as is?

A: Exempt employees generally must be paid their full weekly salary for all workweeks in which they perform any work. There are, however, certain limitation exceptions to this rule.

Specifically, if an exempt employee starts or ends employment mid-workweek, the employer may prorate the employee’s salary accordingly. As for calculating the deduction, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not mandate one specific method for prorating an exempt employee’s salary in situations where deductions are permitted. Rather, 29 C.F.R. § 541.602(c) says that an employer may “use the hourly or daily equivalent of the employee’s full weekly salary or any other amount proportional to the time actually missed by the employee.” Thus, there are a number of methods the employer may utilize. To that end, it is certainly permissible for an employer to calculate a day rate and then multiply by the actual number of days worked, regardless of the number of hours actually worked. In other words, the number of hours do not have any bearing on the pay if the method you used to prorate the employee’s salary was the daily (rather than hourly) equivalent of the employee’s full weekly salary. For the full text of the statute, please see http://www. gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title29-vol3/ pdf/CFR-2012-title29-vol3-sec541-602.pdf

Memorialization.

A Constant Reminder

By Jerry J. Brown

The word “memorial” is a derivative of the word “memory”. Obviously, memory is the process in which to preserve, recapture, relive, and return to an event, experience or milestone from the past.

Much of the world’s physical, tangible and man-made objects and emblematic symbols that exist are created to remind, enrich, cherish and honor the superlative deeds and humanitarian contributions of once-upon-a-time.

Millions of monuments, obelisks, buildings, bridges, parks, paintings, statues, holidays and photographs ad infinitum exist “in memory of …”.

The Christian cross, Jewish Star of David and scores of religious and cultural icons poignantly represent the very core and essence of the history, cultures and humanitarianism of the world.

Memorials keep a culture linked to the past with an awareness of and gratitude to the multitudes of long-ago who, through kindness, courage, dedication and sacrifice have built a better world.

The world’s cemeteries a.k.a. graveyards, boot hills or bone yards are the eternal sanctuaries and memorials within the sphere of the Life/Death Care cycle. Walking through a cemetery can be, for one brief peaceful moment, entering a natural, solemn and pristine acreage of honor.

The vertical monuments stand as silent sentinels to preserve and perpetually honor the dead.

Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. stands as America’s shining institution for the memorialization of the country’s gallant armed forces personnel.

Row upon row of thousands of white grave markers, unfurled flags and the mournful sound of bugles become the eloquent choreography of pride, honor and a nation of civility.

Standing tall as the primary corridor to memorialization is the Funeral Experience. Since the dawn of humankind, various forms of funereal ceremonies have imbued cultures with the panaceas to lessen the pain of loss through death and to walk on knowing that one beloved was honored with compassion and love.

America’s greatness is poetically pronounced and preserved in the stirring words engraved upon our Statue of Liberty: Give me your tired your poor your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…

The restless refuse of your teeming shores…

Send these the homeless tempest tossed to me…

I lift my lamp beside the golden door…

Jerry Brown is a well-known funeral service columnist who once raised buffalo in Ingomar, Montana.

18 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

“The Undertaker’s Daughter” Book Review

by Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez LLC

IMPORTANT

CONTACTS You are a chip off the old block.

But Jubilee was no Mayberry.

You’re just like your father. Just like your mother. Cut from the same cloth and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – which was okay when you were a kid. Back then, you wanted to grow up just like them anyhow.

Racism was a way of life there and, though Mayfield says that the family maid was sometimes her only friend, there was an otherwise strict separation of black and white. As time passed, life in the small-town became a cauldron of gossip and sniping; Mayfield was reprimanded by teachers and taunted by schoolmates for liking a black boy; and The Old Guard continued to plague her father, whose secrets began to affect everyone around him. Mayfield, a teenager by then, knew her family would never leave Jubilee…. but she couldn’t wait to go.

Or not. When you’re the child of a parent with an unusual career – for instance, if you’re “The Undertaker’s Daughter” – you might, as did Kate Mayfield, pick another path.

Kate Mayfield spent most of her young life surrounded by death.

Just after she was born in the late 1950s, her parents moved the family to tiny Jubilee, Kentucky, where Mayfield’s father had decided to open a funeral home. There were two funeral homes there – one for Jubilee’s black residents and one for whites – but he reasoned that there was room for competition.

He didn’t reckon on the town’s Old Guard, which closed ranks among themselves and almost stopped the newcomer in his tracks.

Slowly, though, and with the help of one of the town’s most eccentric and forward-thinking residents, Mayfield’s father was accepted in the small town and his business thrived. He hired a few locals for help when times were busy and, as was the norm then, he also ran one of the town’s ambulances. The family lived in an apartment above the coffins and embalming room, Mayfield’s mother worked her way into the town’s social life, the Mayfield children settled into Jubilee’s schools, and the dead came and went at Mayfield and Son Funeral Home.

Have you ever gotten a gift that was different – and better – than you expected? That’s what happens when you open “The Undertaker’s Daughter.”

You might think, for example, that the title indicates a tale of living with a funeral director, but you’d only be partially correct. Author Kate Mayfield includes plenty of funny, heartfelt, sad memories of life above death, though she starts her book with a game of bridge and a love letter to small town life, a lifetime ago.

And yet – we see the dark spots, and the love letter soon becomes a Dear John letter. For that, I buried myself in this book.

While you may (rightly) see comparisons to a couple of popular works of fiction, remember that this book is a memoir and a good one at that. Look for “The Undertaker’s Daughter” and you’ll be glad to block off your time for it.

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH www.health.state.mn.us MORTUARY SCIENCE SECTION www.health.state.mn.us/divs/ hpsc/mortsci/mortsci.htm Gilbert Acevedo, Manager gilbert.acevedo@state.mn.us Mortician Investigators Marguerite Slonine, 651-201-3847 marguerite.slonine@state.mn.us Erika Fulgern, (651) 201-3848 erika.fulgern@state.mn.us Carlena Weiland, (651) 201-3828 carlena.weiland@state.mn.us Kathryn Danielson, Office Specialist 651-201-3829 kathryn.danielson@state.mn.us OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS Molly Mulcahy Crawford State Registrar Phone: (651) 201-5972 Molly.Crawford@state.mn.us www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/ osr/deathreg/index.html UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Program of Mortuary Science mortsci@umn.edu Michael LuBrant, Ph.D. Director mpl@umn.edu Phone: (612) 624-3980 Fax: (612) 626-4163 Anatomy Bequest Program bequest@umn.edu Angie McArthur Phone: (612) 625-1111 Fax: (612) 625-1688

www.mnfuneral.org 19

Assistance Available for Canadian Citizens that Die the US The Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis represents Canada in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. The Consulate is part of a network of Canadian offices across the United States working to promote trade and investment links, to engage citizens and decision-makers on many matters of shared interest, and to assist Canadians travelling, working, studying or living in the US. Consular officials can help, for example, with matters related to children, emergency passport issuance, transfer of funds, illness/accident/assault, loss/theft, death, arrest/detention, missing persons.

If a Canadian citizen dies abroad, officials at the Consulate can respond promptly to requests for help and information such as: • help to identify the remains of a Canadian citizen if local authorities, family members or friends are not able to do so • provide a list of laboratories offering forensic identification services (DNA, dental records, fingerprints) • authenticate a local death certificate for insurance or repatriation purposes • start the process of notifying next of kin, usually with the help of Canadian police • advise families about burying a Canadian citizen and provide information on local internment options, costs and funeral service providers • help obtain the appropriate documentation, including a death certificate, an autopsy report and police reports where applicable

• help to repatriate the embalmed or cremated remains to Canada at the earliest possible time • help to return personal effects to Canada or arrange to dispose of them in another country • help to obtain information from local authorities on the circumstances surrounding the death • help to obtain information on police investigations, arrests and court proceedings, if the death was the result of murder or suicide • help to obtain the necessary documentation for insurance companies to facilitate the payment or investigation of claims

However please note that the Canadian government will not: • pay for the burial, cremation or repatriation of a deceased Canadian • use public funds to repatriate remains • pay for the shipment of personal effects to Canada • intervene in private legal matters relating to the death • translate official documents such as death certificates or autopsy reports for the family • provide legal advice on issues such as estate law, wills and trusts • investigate the death of a Canadian or intervene in a local investigation of the death For more information on the consulate’s programs and services, please visit www.minneapolis.gc.ca and do not hesitate to contact Estelle Arnaud-Battandier, Consular Affairs Officer, at 612-492-2917 (direct), 612-333-4641 (receptionist) or via email: Estelle.arnaud-battandier@international.gc.ca

Todd Carlson Promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Sales Officer ABILENE, TX – Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company (FDLIC) is proud to announce the recent promotion of Todd Carlson to Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Sales Officer at FDLIC and DIG, FDLIC’s parent company.

Todd joined the FDLIC team in 2006 as Vice President of Sales. Todd graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science. He is also a former Minnesota Funeral Directors Association employee. He is a licensed funeral director, Certified Preneed Counselor and Certified Funeral Service Practitioner as well as a licensed life, accident, and health insurance producer.

Before joining FDLIC, Todd accumulated over 15 years of experience in preneed funeral sales.

“Congratulations to Todd on his promotion to Executive Vice President of Sales and Chief Sales Officer,” said Kris Seale, President and CEO of FDLIC. “Todd has been a tremendous 20 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

asset to our company since first joining FDLIC. He has worked tirelessly to help our sales management team become knowledgeable, trusted business advisors to our funeral home clients. We appreciate his expertise and talent as well as his dedication to helping our team achieve their full potential and reach their goals.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with a company that is dedicated to being known as the leading provider of service in the funeral profession,” said Todd. “Over the last several years, we have been able to create an outstanding sales management team that is second to none in our industry. I look forward to continuing to work with our clients to help them succeed in a changing marketplace and serve the next generation of funeral planners the way they want to be served.”

Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company (FDLIC), based in Abilene, TX, is a leading provider of insurance-funded preneed funeral products and services. FDLIC’s mission is “To be the best, most-respected provider of service to the funeral industry.”

SPECIAL THANKS TO MFDA’S 2015 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.

Advance Planning Services, LLP Doug Hanrahan www.advanceps.com

Dodge Company Gregg Bright www.dodgeco.com

MAS Communications Mary Reeves www.mascommunications.net

Anatomy Bequest Program Jake Anderson, Andrew Ashton, Paul Hill, Angela McArthur, Sarah Paulsen, John Straub, Tamara Voss www.bequest.umn.edu

Doric Dealers of MN Matt Wieser, Todd Weiser www.wieser-doric.com

Medical Disposal Systems, Inc. Warren Winkelman www.mds-mn.com

Federated Insurance Brock Martinez www.fedins.com

Messenger Bob Hoaglund www.messengerstationery.com

Firefly Gift Boxes, LLC Liz Leitch-Sell www.fireflygiftboxes.com

Midwest Medical Examiners Office Angie Chalmers www.midwestmedicalexaminer.com

Answering Service for Directors Jason Bathurst www.myASD.com Anubis Specialty Services Carol Fee www.assmn.com Artco Casket Company, Inc. Al Whitmer, Steve Doscher, Wally Gelecinskyj www.artcocasket.com Asphalt Associates Brad Larson www.asphalt-associates.com Aurora Casket Company Roger Ruth, Andi Waterhouse, Brent Wermes www.auroraadvantage.com Avalon, Inc. Daniel Seman www.avalonsecurity.com

Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association Kari A. Hubbard www.forestlawnmn.com Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company John Harrington Scott Tufto www.funeraldirectorslife.com Gary L. Pearson Pre-need consultation glpearson@comcast.net Gorder Mortuary Supply James Messer www.gordersupply.com

Baines Professional Vehicles John Baines www.4hearse.com

Homesteaders Life Company Steve Byhre Joel Rimstad www.homesteaderslife.com

Batesville Nicki Mikolai www.batesville.com

Keith M. Merrick Co., Inc. Kyle Grimes www.keithmerrick.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

Kelco Supply Alicia Carr www.kelcosupply.com

Children’s Grief Connection Coral Popowitz www.childrensgriefconnection.com Cousineau McGuire Michael Sharkey www.cousineaulaw.com Cremation & Trade Services, Inc. Paul Maher

Keystone Funeral Home Design Build Russ Karasch www.keystone.db.com Laker Insurance Patrick Zalusky Life Story Network Jason Meyle www.Lifestorynetwork.com

Minnesota Lions Eye Bank Raylene Streed www.mnlionseyebank.org Northern Design Caskets Scott Haiby Northwestern Casket Co. David Koll www.nwcasket.com Peterson Law Office Bill Peterson www.petersonlawoffice.com Pinnacle Group Bob Michaelson, Cory Michaelson www.pinnaclegroup4u.com Pluto Legal Cheryl Vos www.plutolegal.com Shepart Dawson Grover www.shepart.com 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 Willmar Precast Company Ron Jasperson

LifeSource Organ and Tissue Donation Mike Burakowski www.life-source.org

www.mnfuneral.org 21

CLASSIFIEDS Licensed Funeral Director/Funeral Director Intern Opportunities Henry W. Anderson Mortuary (Apple Valley/Minneapolis) is looking for an experienced full time MN licensed funeral director with experience as an arranger as well as in the embalming room. Job responsibilities include: arranging, embalming, working funeral/memorial services, dressing, casketing, community PR, taking and making first calls, evening visitations, light maintenance, working with the MR&C system, and other normal office duties, etc. NO NIGHT REMOVALS OR NIGHT EMBALMING! Contact Tim Anderson, 612-729-2331 Tim@HenryWAnderson.com

Great Opportunity Available for a Licensed Funeral Director or Intern. We are currently seeking applicants who are interested in a long-term career with our funeral homes in Ortonville, MN and Milbank SD. We offer a great work environment, flexible schedule, competitive compensation, paid vacation, employer paid medical insurance, health savings account plan, flex spending plan, profit sharing, and retirement. If you are interested, please send your resume, or call to visit confidentially about this opportunity.

For more information, you may visit our website at www.mundwilerfuneralhome. net . Please contact: Tim or Tana Mundwiler, Mundwiler Funeral Home, Phone: 605-4324545, Email: mundwiler@qwestoffice.net

Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre is seeking a Minnesota licensed funeral director with 2-5 years of experience to supplement our current staff. Our modern funeral homes complement our excellent service to people we know as our friends and neighbors. We offer compensation commensurate with experience and a full benefit package. Visit us online at www.pattonschad.com. Inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

Please email your resume to: ppatton@pattonschad.com or contact Pat or Sue Patton at (320) 352-3089.

22 MFDA Bulletin • SPRING 2015

Brenny Funeral Chapels, a family owned and operated business, serving Brainerd, Baxter, Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Randall and Staples, would like to hire a dedicated, experienced funeral director immediately.

Along with excellent communication, we require an energetic, motivated, dedicated, flexible individual that appreciates a small city environment. Community involvement is important. We offer competitive wages, benefits (health insurance, profit sharing, retirement plan and more), and great coworkers.

Interested persons should email resume and references to Rhonda Mareck at Rhonda@ brenny.com.

We are currently looking for a licensed funeral director to join us at Vosseteig Funeral Homes. We serve approximately 140 families per year from our five rural funeral homes. We are located in the southwest part of Wisconsin (Vernon County) with our main funeral home in Viroqua.

We have four satellite facilities located in Westby, Viola, DeSoto, and Gays Mills. This position requires proficiency in embalming, restorative art, and all aspects related to funeral service. Excellent communication skills, compassion, and integrity will help define the successful candidate. Applicant needs to be detail-oriented and able to work both independently as well as in a team.

3-5 years of experience is preferred. We are looking for someone interested in a career with us, not just a job. The call schedule is every other night and every other weekend.

Temporary housing is available as well as a retirement plan and contribution toward health insurance.

Please send cover letter, current resume, and salary requirements to cathy@vossfh.com or mail to Vosseteig Funeral Homes P.O. Box 88 Viroqua, Wi 54665.

Michaelson Funeral Home is a family owned funeral home in southern Minnesota with three beautiful locations employing the latest technologies to enhance the opportunities our funeral directors have to serve families.

We offer wage and benefit packages that are among the best in the profession

and pair them with attractive schedules.

Currently, Michaelson Funeral Home is accepting resumes for a mortician licensed in Minnesota eager to perform duties in all aspects of funeral service. Please submit your resume to cory@michaelsonfuneral.com or to Michaelson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 482, Owatonna, MN 55060.

Visit www.michaelsonfuneral.com for more information about our firm.

Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes & Cremation Services is seeking a full-time licensed funeral director or intern to add to our current staff. This person will be involved with the complete duties of a funeral director from the removal to the final disposition. We offer a competitive salary and year-end bonus along with benefits such as full company paid family health and dental insurance, retirement plan, license fees, continuing education costs, vacation, several community paid benefits, and bi-annual clothing allowance. You would be joining a staff of 4 other licensed morticians. The on call schedule and the holiday schedule would be evenly rotated between all the licensed staff.

For more information on the funeral home and how it operates as a “Community owned co-operative� go to www.mvfh.org. For information on the New Ulm community, go to www.newulm.com and request a relocation guide. Please e-mail your cover letter and resume to General Manager, Bruce Savoy, at sbmv@comcast.net or mail to Bruce Savoy, C/o Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes, P. O. Box 393, New Ulm, MN 56073.

Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels is a family-owned and operated funeral business in the Twin Cities with 16 locations that serve the Twin-Cities Metro Area. We have an immediate opening for an experienced licensed funeral director. We provide a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits including medical, dental, profit sharing, paid-time-off, and a fair work & on-call schedule. We value compassionate customer service and communication skills, and are looking for a qualified director to join the Washburn-McReavy team.

Please email resume and references to:

billmcreavy@washburn-mcreavy.com, or mail to Washburn McReavy Attn: Bill McReavy, Jr, 2301 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis MN 55405.

A family owned, progressive funeral home in St. Cloud Minnesota is looking for an experienced funeral director or intern who is committed to providing excellent client satisfaction to every family and possess a positive attitude with the ability to work in a team environment. Company provides excellent benefits, competitive salary, 401K, ongoing training, and opportunity plans. If you are looking for an innovative funeral home, have the ability to exceed the expectations of the families you serve, and enjoy being part of successful team, please send your resume to: Williams Dingmann Funeral Home and Crematory, c/o Doug Dingmann, 1900 Veterans Drive (Eighth Street North), St. Cloud, MN 56303 (320) 252-2522 dougdingmann@williamsdingmann.com Virginia/Hibbing, Minnesota - Range Funeral Home, cooperatively owned, has an immediate opening for a full-time licensed funeral director or intern to join our team. Duties include but are not limited to removals, embalming, family arrangements, working funerals and visitations. Applicants must be able to work well on a team as well as independently. Funeral Directors are on a three person rotation. Please send cover letter and current resume to rangefuneralhome@msn.com, ATTN: Bryan or mail to Range Funeral Home, 911 16th St. N. PO Box 4, Virginia, MN 55792, (218)741-1481.

Mahn Family Funeral Home in Red Wing, Minnesota, a family-owned funeral home, has a position for a full-time Minnesota licensed funeral director or intern. Responsibilities would include all aspects of funeral service.

Individual must be a self-motivated person that is able to think independently and work without direct supervision. This position comes with competitive salary based on experience, flexible schedule, paid vacation, retirement plan, health insurance and other benefits. The historic and scenic community of Red Wing, located in Southeastern

Minnesota on the Mississippi River, has plenty of year around social, community and recreational activities. Please send resume to todd.otteson@mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com or call 651-388-3343. Inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

Funeral director opportunities available with Vertin Family Funeral Homes. We are looking for dedicated, professional licensees to join our progressive group of funeral homes. We currently have openings in four states: ND, WI, WY and MN. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits

package as well as a flexible schedule allowing for balance between work and personal life. If you are interested in visiting about possible opportunities, please email your cover letter and resume to the email below, or call to visit confidentially. For more information about Vertin Family Funeral Homes, please visit our website at www. vertin.com.

Contact: Melissa Volk, Phone: 701-640-5500, Email: melissa@vertin.com.

Brown Wilbert

Inc.

Amish Barnwood Casket & Rocker

Venetian with Farm Scene Legacy Order Vaults, Caskets, & Urns Online at Brown-Wilbert.com www.mnfuneral.org 23

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