The Missouri Funeral Director Winter 2014 Published Four Times Per Year 1757 Woodclift Drive, Suite 202 Jefferson City, MO 65109 573.635.1661 • Fax: 573.635.9494 www.mofuneral.org • info@mofuneral.org MFDEA STAFF Don Otto, Executive Director, info@mofuneral.org Cindy Gorman, Office Manager, cindy@mofuneral.org Kathleen Lavery, Publications Manager, publications@mofuneral.org Gerding, Korte & Chitwood, Certified Public Accountants
Missouri Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association
2014-2015 Officers President Secretary/Treasurer John Veach, Bowling Green John Moore, CPC, Potosi (573) 324-2211 (573) 438-2111
Immediate Past President John W. Pautz, CPC, Sullivan (573) 220-0584
President Elect Tom Hebner, Chillicothe (660) 646-6600
District Directors District 1 Eric Montegna, St. Joseph (816) 232-3366
District 7 Jay Hardy, Maplewood (314) 781-1115
District 2 Brad Davis, Canton (573) 288-4422
District 8 Greg Bird, Springfield (417) 833-1111
District 3 Chuck Townsend, Independence (816) 252-7900
District 9 Austin Woodard, Joplin (417) 781-1711
District 4 Steven Bittiker, Carrollton (660) 542-2011
District 10 Patrick Weiss, Farmington (573) 756-4541
District 5 Kyle Trimble, Jefferson City (573) 893-5251
Eastern Director-at-Large Randall Schulz, Poplar Bluff (573) 785-8484
District 6 Jessica Oltmann, Union (636) 583-2525
Western Director-at-Large Bill Stuart, Moberly (660) 263-3360
MISSOURI FUNERAL TRUST, INC. President Kayla Carter, Elsberry (573) 898-2181
2014-2015 Officers Secretary/Treasurer Kent Trimble, Jefferson City (573) 893-5251
Vice-President Brian Boyer, Bonne Terre (573) 358-2277
Immediate Past President David Atkinson, Harrisonville (816) 380-3268 Directors
Robert Baker, Brookfield (660) 258-5050
Ozella J. Foster, CPC, St. Louis (314) 652-3305
Bill Bennett, Steelville (573) 775-2123
David McWilliams, Gallatin (660) 663-2117
Jon Cozean, Farmington (573) 756-4541
Jay Hardy, Maplewood (314) 781-1115
The
Missouri Funeral Director
An official publication of the Missouri Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association
Features
Winter 2014
Articles/Columns A Message from the President Page 4 Executive Director’s Report Page 5 Member Spotlight: Pitman Funeral Homes Page 6 Meet Cindy Gorman Page 16 Legislative Issues 2014 Page 18 News Page 19 In Memorium Page 20 Nuggets from the Past President Page 22
Mid America Transplant Services Answers Your Questions page 10
The Gift of Sight
page 14
Advertiser Directory ASD, 9 BKD, 9 CFL Pre-need, 21 Crime Scene Cleaners, 15 Dodge Company, 18 Eagle Bank and Trust, 21 Endorsed Companies, inside back cover Federated Insurance, 17 First Call, 18 FrontRunner, Inside Front Cover Kansas City, KS Community College, 20 Lamcraft, 12 Mid-MO Mortuary, 4 Mullen Coach, 19 Parkway Advisors, 21 Saving Sight, 13 SI-Wilbert, back cover
Front cover: Design by Kathleen Lavery DISCLAIMER: Portions of this magazine are taken from other sources, which we believe to be reliable but may not be complete statements on all available data. The services of an attorney or accountant should be sought in legal and tax matters. The Missouri Funeral Director is designed to quickly and briefly inform the membership on a variety of subjects. It is NOT intended to address any particular area in detail. ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER: Please note that MFDEA reserves the right to refuse any and all advertising for any reason.
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A message from our President Dear MFDEA members and friends, Cathy and I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays with family and friends. Those of you that had a family member pass away this past year and had to celebrate without them, we know that was tough as we had to experience that same feeling with the loss of Cathy’s mother and we see many of the families we serve experience the same grief. Our prayers were and are with you all. As I write this message we are in Advent Season, my thoughts turn to where we might be if the Christ child had never been born. His birth, death, resurrection and ascension to the Father have given us access to HIS Great Mercy, Love, Comfort, Joy and Peace. May we all celebrate this season all year! Cathy and I traveled to Nashville in October and attended the National Funeral Directors Convention along with many of you, apparently there were 58 registrants from Missouri making us about 18th in ranking with other states in regard to most attendance. We had a good time with many of our own Missouri people and other colleagues from all over the world. Attended many seminars, heard many inspiring speakers and the Trade Show Expo was awesome. Thanks to all who have joined the MFDEA team this year. We hope the new structure will build a broader base of people to receive input from, use on committees, support legislative issues, attend MFDEA district meetings and support the association in general. Thanks to all who took a moment to fill out the survey we sent. The information we received back was very vital and helpful as we had a meeting with the State Registrar Craig Ward and Asst. State Registrar Lexi Hall about the processing of death certificates. We on the committee felt that the channels of communication were opened and hopefully any changes that happen in the future will happen with our input being taken into consideration. The benefits to belonging to MFDEA are: Free forms, Free Legal counsel for funeral service questions, Missouri Funeral Trust(with membership perks), district meetings, “In The Loop” emails with funeral service updates, information and schedules for all activities and the upcoming 2015 Convention and Trade Show being held June 1-2, 2015 at the St. Charles Convention Center. Also Missouri Funeral Trust will host their annual membership appreciation banquet on evening of March 10th in Jefferson City with a Legislative Day at the Capitol to follow on March 11th, watch the “In The Loop” for more information. Thanks for raising the bar of professional funeral service as you serve your families with dignity, respect and pride. You are a MFDEA member and one thing is for sure: “We are Stronger and Better Together”.
John Veach MFDEA President
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John Veach MFDEA President Mudd-Veach Funeral Home Bowling Green, MO
Executive Director’s Report
Donald C. Otto, Jr. MFDEA Executive Director & General Counsel
As has been noted before, the issues that MFDEA members contact the office about seem to come in bunches. This December the issue has been disinterments. A number of funeral directors have called regarding this issue. I am not sure why December is apparently the month in which to move a body from one place to another, but that's how it seems to be! The most common question regarding disinterments is: “what paperwork must be filed?” Missouri law (Chapter 194.105) provides that “any person” that moves a body outside the original cemetery must provide written notice to the coroner where the body is presently located and written notice – by certified mail - must be sent to the last known address of the “closest living relative known to the cemetery operator.” If you are moving the body to a different county, send a copy of the notice to the coroner in the new county as well. The law makes no exception based on who is ordering and paying for the disinterment, so you can wind up with the strange situation where you have to give notice to the person who has hired you to do the disinterment! Of course, in that case, the letter would read something like: “This is to confirm that you have hired our funeral home to...” The trickier issues – and most people do not realize can even be a problem – is who can authorize the disinterment and transport of the body. A big surprise here, it might not be the next-of-kin! Chapter 194.114 is the next-of-kin statute and it sets out who is in charge of the final disposition. However, once the body had been buried, final disposition is over and a different statute exists that deals with disinternments. This statute, Chapter 214.208.2 states that a body can be disinterred and given to a carrier for transportation outside the cemetery “pursuant to written instructions signed and acknowledged by a majority of the following adult members of the deceased person's family who are then known and living: surviving spouse, children, and parents.” (emphasis added) . What this means is that the parents or children can “out-vote” a surviving spouse and move a body against the wishes of the surviving spouse! Picture this situation: A husband buries his wife on Tuesday and on Wednesday, his in-laws (who never liked him in the first place) have her removed to a different cemetery on the other side of the state! All because the two parents of the deceased win the vote over the surviving spouse 2-1. The MFDEA Board has voted to push for legislation this year that will correct this situation and make so, in the first instance, the next-of-kin under chapter 194 have the power to disinter the body. If the next-of-kin is no longer alive or relinquishes their rights then it could go to a vote of the remaining relatives. If you are interested in this issue or the other potential legislative matters that are likely to come up this year (see page 18) then be sure to mark your calendar for March 11 for the MFDEA legislative day in the Jefferson City.
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Member Spotlight
Pitman Funeral Home
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When the time came to build a new facility, Eric Pitman knew he wanted to make it an inviting space that acknowledged their history with all the modern convenieces that customers have come to expect today. This is the third funeral home built by the Pitman’s in Wentzville since 1922. The first funeral home was destroyed in a fire and they outgrew the second facility. The latest incarnation was built in 2008. One of the most important changes in the new facility was placing all the offices at the front of the building. “We didn’t want people coming in and having to look for someone to help them,” said owner Eric Pitman. “As soon as someone enters the building there is someone to greet them and assit them. Customers and members of the community really appreciate this.” The spacious foyer features a see-through stone fireplace with comfortable sofas that invite guests to relax in a lodgelike atmosphere. Just through the doors on either side of the fireplace, guests enter the rotunda. The circular room located below the dome is the principal space in the funeral home connecting all four chapels. The walls in the rotunda were painted by a local artist depicting four scenes of a historical nature. The chapels were designed to accomodate large visitations but also to be divided to provide a more private setting for smaller services. “We thought it was important to be able to accomodate a variety of service sizes as each service varies so much today. We’ve had visitations where more than a 1000 people pay their respects over two days. Then there are visitations of just a handful of people that lasts only a couple of hours,” said Eric. Another feature that is offered is free WiFi. “Families expect funeral homes to have modern conveniences such as internet access, flat screen televisions to view
The Missouri Funeral Director
videos of their loved ones and an area where they can relax and get something to eat or drink,” said Eric. “That’s why we have two lounge areas with outdoor patios and seating areas where families can relax and get refreshments.” Families also want a place that’s inviting, not dark or depressing. The funeral home is decorated with soothing light colors and fabrics and each room is well lit. A separate reception center is available to families and the community and is frequently used for a variety of events. There is an industrial kitchen and side entrance for catering services. “On occasion we may have someone who is meeting a group at the reception center wander into the funeral home. They are always pleased with what they encounter and usually comment that the funeral home isn’t dark or dreary but actually pleasant,” said Eric with a smile. “The reception center has built a great rapport with the community.” Also on the property is a crematory with a separate unit for animals. Pitman’s pet services has proven to be another bridge to the community in creating relationships. “While an onsite crematory is
convenient,” said Eric, “we find a minimal a m o u n t of families want a direct cremation.” Those who do choose cremation generally want some type of service. “We try to make sure that those who choose cremation are fully aware of all the options available to them and let them decide what is best for them,” said Eric. Pitman’s Funeral Home is all about accomodating the uniqueness and diversity of each
A local artist painted scenes of historical interest on the walls of the rotunda.
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family and their requests. During one service the family had life size posterboards of the deceased around the room. Another service the family brought in the deceased’s motorcycle. “We have found that people need to find comfort and meaning in the service and if we help them do that then they benefit from our services,” said Eric. Pitman Funeral Home has been helping customers find meaning and comfort since 1922. Tarlton E. Pitman was in the family well drilling business when he was struck with rheumatic fever that damaged his heart. His family was told that he could 8
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no longer engage in such physical work so Ta r l t o n went into the funeral i n d u s t r y. Tarlton and his wife Annetta ran the funeral home and mercantile. In 1955, their son, T. Jim Pitman took over the operations of the funeral home. Today, Jim’s son Eric, manages all the funeral homes. The Pitman’s have facilities in Warrenton, Wright City, Augusta and Jonesburg. “The funeral industry has come a long way since my grandfather opened in 1922,” said Eric. “In order to compete today, you
have to stay abreast of trends and meet the needs of today’s consumers who expect services customized to their needs. Plus customers also want to be able to easily communicate and that means a modern website with online obituaries, Facebook and sometimes Twitter.” While all of this is important, Eric states that so long as a funeral home is following three rules, customers will return. Eric smiles and says, “Those three rules are good service, good service, good service.”
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Mid-America Transplant Services Answers Your Questions Editor’s note: The Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association invited Mid-America Transplant Services to respond to common questions from our industry. MTS has facilitated the organ, tissue and eye donation process for a service area of 4.7 million people in eastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and northeast Arkansas since 1974. With a mission to save lives through excellence in organ and tissue donation, MTS compassionately provides care for donors, donor families and transplant recipients . 10
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John Moore of Moore Funeral Homes in Potosi, MO was in St. Louis for a meeting at Mid-America Transplant Services (MTS). With a full schedule and an afternoon conference beginning soon, he had just a few minutes to tour MTS’s facility. “I’ve been to MTS a couple times,” John said, “but I was very impressed by the cleanliness. I want to get that out. Some people have a different vision of what (MTS) is.” The tour included a look at the innovative in-house ICU and recovery operating rooms at MTS. MTS was the
of great importance when recovering organs for transplant, and recovery can often be delayed in hospitals because of busy operating room schedules. John’s visit prompted several questions about MTS and its processes. While the questions below are not an exhaustive list, we hope they address some of the more common questions from funeral directors and embalmers. Responses are provided by a the Tissue Donation Director at MTS. Why can’t the hospital notify my business that a family has requested
as soon as a decision is made or changed so we can notify the funeral home. Our goal is to partner with you to ensure we can best meet the needs of the family together. Just as you want to serve the family and honor their loved one with a memorial service, we strive to care for the Donor Family and honor their loved one by acknowledging the donation of organs and tissue to those in need. How does MTS determine what tissues will be recovered? Sometimes only a thin layer of skin (split thickness) is
first in the nation to utilize an in-house recovery model, which increases the effectiveness of organs and tissue donation. This is important to funeral directors and embalmers because it allows MTS to complete the donation process more efficiently, making the body available for embalming sooner, and allowing Donor Families to plan funeral arrangements in a timely manner. MTS’s facility allows for a more organized donation process, where dedicated MTS staff can ensure more lives are saved by the precious Gift of Life. The tour of MTS was important to John. He said he was given a clearer look into MTS. “I was expecting a university embalming room or a county morgue. That’s where my mind was going. You think you’ll see things laying around or wrapped up in cooler or flash-freeze area. It was nothing like that.” Time is
their loved one’s services be performed through us? MTS is responsible for notifying funeral homes a family of a donor has requested their services to prevent transport confusion. This process helps avoid unnecessary trips by the funeral home to transport a body to its facility before the family’s wishes to donate organs, eyes and tissue are completed. We strive to notify the funeral home as soon as possible that a donor will be coming to their facility. We understand your need to have the body as soon as possible for embalming purposes. However, we also are required to honor the wishes of the deceased to be an organ and tissue donor. On occasion, the family has not decided on a funeral home at the time we talk with them, or they change their mind about which facility to use. We request the family contact MTS
recovered. Other times, a large patch of skin (full thickness) is removed from the back of the body down to the bone. The type of tissue recovered is based on the age of the donor and how the tissue will be used for transplant. Split thickness skin is typically recovered when bone is being donated as well. Split thickness skin is used to treat burn victims. Full thickness skin is usually recovered on skin exclusive donors. This type of donation helps multiple recipients through reconstructive procedures like abdominal wall reconstruction, ENT applications and post-mastectomy breast reconstruction surgery. How does removing full-thickness skin honor someone? We have found families find solace in knowing their loved one is helping others, even after death. Skin donation helps treat burn victims or is used for
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reconstructive procedures, such as abdominal wall reconstruction, ENT applications and post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. These donations are lifesaving and life-changing for members of our community. We survey all donor families after their donation experience. Family satisfaction with their decision to donate has an average rating of 9.4 on a 10 point scale. Have recovery teams from MTS shadowed an embalmer to learn more about their processes? MTS is in conversations with local embalming services to include periodic training for our recovery staff with an embalmer. This is a practice we’ve utilized in the past and are planning to include it again. We recognize organ and tissue donation presents challenges for embalmers and funeral directors. We want to better understand your processes and to be a valued partner with you serving the community. We’re committed to serving the Donor Family, and we take great care in ensuring they’re satisfied. We hope this training allows MTS’s recovery specialists to better understand your processes, and ultimately serve the family. Can MTS survey funeral home directors? MTS is exploring options to survey funeral directors and embalmers in the MTS service area. We recognize your feedback is important in developing and
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fostering this relationship. Will MTS be hosting an Open House for funeral directors and embalmers? Based on the feedback from John Moore’s visit, MTS is in the initial planning stages of an Open House for funeral directors and embalmers. We anticipate hosting an event in 2015. How does MTS support families of organ and tissue donors? MTS strives to serve Donor Families and honor their loved one. We provide many resources to achieve this. The MTS Center for Life provides bereavement resources to assist families through their grief journey. These resources include books and articles, online support groups, and the Grief Companion Program, in which a newly bereaved Donor Family is paired with someone who is further along in their grief journey. Throughout the year, MTS hosts informational workshops about donation and how to get through difficult anniversaries and holidays. Our signature event, the Candlelight Memorial Ceremony, is held three times during the year in St. Louis, Springfield and Cape Girardeau to remember and honor those who have given the Gift of Life through organ and tissue donation. Lastly, Donor Families are encouraged to share their loved one’s story on our website, www.mts-stl.org.
The Missouri Funeral Director
Mother of Cornea Donor Shares her Story in Support of Donation When Carol lost her 30-year-old son, Mark, she learned that he had made the pledge to become an eye donor. Her son’s heroic decision to donate impacted not only the lives of two cornea recipients but also Carol and the rest of Mark’s family. Today, she volunteers her time to encourage others to consider donation because she knows firsthand that it changes lives for the better.
Together, we change lives by saving sight. The Missouri Funeral Director
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The Gift of Sight Saving Sight is a nonprofit organization that introduced eye donation and the gift of sight to Missouri in 1960. Today, the organization operates several vision health programs, serving more than 50,000 people each year. Among funeral home directors, Saving Sight is most known for its work in cornea donation and transplantation. Saving Sight and funeral home directors share at least two similarities: 1) their work is time-sensitive, and 2) they’re committed to honoring and supporting the decedent’s and family’s wishes. “I think we can all agree that donation should be a positive process for all, especially the family,” said Kharim Strayhorn, Saving Sight’s partner relations coordinator for southern Missouri. The families of donors often say donation is therapeutic because they know their loved ones helped others. In fact, families receive a follow-up letter about how the donor’s eye tissue changed lives. Families can also correspond anonymously with the cornea recipient(s) after donation. 14
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Saving Sight provides these services to support families coping with grief. Though they serve families in different ways, Saving Sight and funeral homes often must work together and communicate. “We want to improve our communication with funeral homes to provide the best care for donor families,” said Strayhorn. When a problem occurs, it’s often due to a lack of communication or understanding about the other’s process. Accordingly, in this Supplier Focus, Saving Sight’s referral and recovery process is shared to show what happens when a person chooses to be an eye donor. And afterward is an open call for ideas to improve Saving Sight’s relationships with Missouri funeral homes. The Referral Process Staff at Saving Sight’s partner hospitals report deaths to the organ procurement organization, which then forwards referrals about potential eye donors to Saving Sight. The Donor Services Center (DSC) staff receive those referrals, call the hospital to screen, and
The Missouri Funeral Director
offer donation options to families. If the patient becomes a donor, Saving Sight communicates with funeral homes and other partner agencies and dispatches a recovery technician to the hospital. The Recovery Process At present, approximately 94% of eye donors donate corneal tissue via the in situ process, a minimally invasive procedure that enables Saving Sight to recover just the transplantable part of the eye. The remaining 6% of donors undergo whole-globe enucleation. During an in situ recovery, the donor chart is reviewed and identification is verified. A headblock is placed to elevate and stabilize the head, and the donor’s body is examined. Blood is drawn, followed by preparing and sterilizing the donor’s eyes. A sterile field is set up, the technician scrubbing in, donning sterile attire, and draping the donor. A speculum holds the eyelids open, and the conjunctiva is cut to access the eye muscles. Sclera (white portion of the eye) is scraped using a scalpel, then
scored using a trephine. Small scissors are used to cut the score-line, and corneal tissue is removed with forceps. The cornea is transferred to storage media, and the process is repeated on the second eye. The enucleation process differs in that after the conjunctiva is cut, the muscles are isolated and severed with scissors, and a hemostat is used to lift the globe so the optic nerve can be cut. The globe is then transferred to a moist chamber, and the process is repeated for the second globe. Once either process is completed, the technician places prosthetic lens caps or globes into the orbits. The face is rinsed and wiped, and gauze is placed over the eyes and wetted with saline. A bag of ice is then placed to prevent swelling. The headblock remains to keep the head elevated. A toe tag with contact information and an orange warning sticker are left for identification. Improving Communication Saving Sight’s DSC staff notify funeral homes when (1) suitability for eye donation is identified, (2) the
family decides on donation, and (3) recovery is complete. This policy is followed unless a funeral home requests otherwise. Funeral home staff may also be contacted about delays, especially if there’s difficulty reaching the family. In this case, Saving Sight may ask the funeral home for contact information to expedite the process for everyone. “In turn, we need to be sensitive to funeral directors’ processes,” said Strayhorn. “We must provide timely communication and status updates. That’s why we’re opening the lines of communication to discuss concerns in real-time. We need constructive input from the funeral home industry to help us alleviate any concerns about eye donation.” Saving Sight welcomes your ideas for improved collaboration. To share ideas or ask questions, please contact
Kharim Strayhorn at 417-882-1532 x1014 or kstrayhorn@saving-sight.org. By working together, we can honor donors’ wishes, support families in their time of grief, and help more people receive the precious gift of sight.
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Meet Cindy Gorman - MFDEA’s Office Manager Cindy Gorman became MFDEA’s Office Manager on September 1, 2009. Cindy was born in New Jersey and married her husband Michael in 1987. They have two children Kim and Joe. Kim works for the State of Missouri and Joe is currently working on his History Degree and plans to teach. The family transplanted to Missouri over twenty years ago to the Jefferson City area. Michael and Cindy have three dogs and one 16 year-old cat named Oreo. Besides working at MFDEA, Cindy has recently gotten involved in local theatre. She made her stage debut at Capital City Players in All Shook Up and is currently rehearsing for The Little Theatre of Jefferson City’s production of Bye Bye Birdie as Mrs. Peterson. At the MFDEA office we have had several requests asking what exactly it is that the office staff does here. So here is just a sampling of the work that Cindy does to keep MFDEA running smoothly. Be sure to thank Cindy the next time you talk to her on the phone or see her in person! • Serves as the principal support to the Executive Director/ CEO and coordinates the internal administrative matters of the Association Office. • Manages the computerized financial records thru QuickBooks Online including all Accounts Payable/Receivable, taxes, reports, deposits and monthly accounting reports requiring the exercise of good judgment and high degree of integrity and financial accountability and attention to administrative details. • Process bi-weekly bill approval reports to the Executive Board. • Has extensive involvement and interaction with individual members personally and through telephone conversations and emails. • Process and maintain membership applications. • In-The-Loop - online Newsletter. • Heavy interaction with both the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association Board and the Missouri Funeral Trust Board Members. • Answer multi-line phone system. • Greet visiting clients, customers and members. • Process fax machine requests - incoming/outgoing. • Maintain Annual Scholarship Applications. • MoPac Fund. • Process requests to public inquires for information. • Word Processing, copy collate, and prepare for mailing reports, board and committee agenda materials, compose letters, type correspondence, forms and reports. 16
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• Microsoft Office - reports and documents. • Take and transcribe board meeting minutes for MFDEA and MFT. • Accounting for checks, cash and credit card processing and other materials for meetings. • Develop and maintain calendar of events and work calendar of other meetings of interest to the Association and its members/districts. • Provide timely notice of the meetings of the Association to its members. • Coordinate travel and prepare itinerary for travel of Executive Director. • Order and maintain all office supplies and inventory management. • Maintain and set up inspections and updates for mail postage machine, copier and all office equipment. Daily mail - open, process and deliver mail accordingly. Daily errands - post office, federal express, bank deposits, store, etc. Daily contact with Missouri Funeral Trust/Eagle Bank Staff. Collection of overdue membership invoices. Maintain confidential employee records. Submit bi-weekly payroll reporting to EDP. Monitor employee vacation/sick time. Negotiate with vendors for office equipment, IT services and office supplies. Event planning including annual convention, legislative day, MFT annual dinner and board meetings. Set up meetings with hotel staff. Help coordinate mass mailings: membership application, convention attendees and vendors, membership certification, etc. Responsible for coordinating building maintenance, janitorial services, trash removal, snow plow, leaf rake and pick-up and general office repairs. Provide office cleaning on off maintenance weeks. Receive and send e-mail correspondence of behalf of the Executive Director. Prepare billing statements for publication magazines, sponsorships and directory including past due invoices. • Responsible for office filing system. • Set-up conference calling procedures and notifications. • Coordinate and prepare monthly law review class including course materials, taking reservations/ invoicing and catering arrangements. • Performs other such duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
MFDEA Annual Convention June 1 - 2, 2015 | St. Charles, MO Variety of Seminars: Use of Celebrants in the Funeral Industry Legal Issues Embalming Reconstruction Grief Therapy Dogs The Agony & Ecstasy of a New Website Women in the Funeral Industry Networking: New for 2015, Owner/Manager Recption: here is your chance to meet withExhibitor’s after the exhibit hall closes and get the best deal possible. Invitation only. Open Bar. Meet and Greet Reception followed by dinner and live auction to benefit MFDEA’s Scholarship Fund.
Certified Celebrant Training May 29 - 31, 2015 | St. Charles, MO Glenda Stansbury has trained over 2500 celebrants in the funeral industry. Glenda will be bringing this educational and much requested seminar to Missouri in conjunction with MFDEA’s Annual Convention. Don’t miss it!
Fun and Relaxation: Golf Local Casinos Party Box at Busch Stadium - Cardinals vs Brewers (Sponsorsed by Federated Insurance)
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Legislative Issues 2015 This fall the MFDEA Legislative committee met and presented a number of items to the MFDEA Board for its consideration. After careful review of the matter, the Board has decided that MFDEA will promote the following legislative issues this session: •• A bill that will correct the strange disinterment authorization law in Missouri (see page 5). •• A bill that will create a “tie-breaker” when you have multiple next-of-kin that all want different things. •• Legislation that will clear up what is required in regards to identifying the body prior to a cremation. In addition, the MFDEA death certification committee has
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met with Vital Records to explore ways that the EDRS system can be improved and streamlined. Some of these ideas might require amendments to the current statute. We will, again, also be on the lookout for any legislation that would eliminate the Embalmer's License requirements in Missouri. That proposal has been submitted several years in a row. MFDEA has successfully opposed this measure so far but it will likely come up again. Also, MFDEA and Missouri Funeral Trust will again attempt to eliminate the $36 reporting fee when the only “payment” for a preneed contract is a pre-existing insurance policy that is being assigned to the funeral home and will work to make the record keeping and reporting requirements for insurancefunded preneed contracts more rational. Currently the State Board often is asking for information on insurance policies that simply cannot be provided since the funeral home is not the owner of the policy. This does not make a lot of sense and needs to be addressed. Last year several successful legislative efforts originated from members simply calling up MFDEA and letting us know of an issue or problem. If you have any ideas of things that should be changed or hear about any piece of legislation you are concerned about, call or send an email to the MFDEA office!
Greg Arnold
jwright@dodgeco.com garnold@dodgeco.com (800) 554-1078 (660) 258-2428
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The Missouri Funeral Director
N E W S District 10 enjoyed their Christmas Party at the Hickory Log Restaurant in Dexter, MO, on December 3, 2014.
Funeral Director/ Embamler For Sale: Contact Chris Howard at chris.howard74@ymail.com Wanted: Freeman Mortuary, a three 3 sets of instruments for $1250.00 a piece, Duotronic V for $2000.00, generation family funeral home, Dodge embalming machine for $2250.00, 2 Pierce electric aspirators located in Jefferson City, Missouri is for $650.00 a piece looking for a skilled funeral director/ embalmer. It is a select opportunity for an experienced funeral director that is highly motivated, has great leadership and communication qualities, and over three years of experience. Position will be responsible with helping with day to day operations as well as community outreach and business development. The position offers a competitive compensation based on experience, complete benefit package, and quality of life for our profession. Must be a Missouri Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer or be able to reciprocate licenses. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence and Coach, Inc. submit resumes to rcf@freemanmortuary.com. If you have "Family Owned & Operated Since 1956" questions, please call 573-636-5533. -A Eureka Coach Distributor-
Mullen
LOOK at these great Coaches and Limos! Large Inventory! Greg Bird, of Greenlawn Funeral Home was appointed Director of District 8 by MFDEA President John Veach upon the resignation of District 8 Director, Vernie Fountain. Vernie resigned due to increasing work commitments. Greg Bird can be reached at 417.833.1111.
2011 Lincoln S & S Funeral Coach......................... 15,000 miles 2011 Lincoln 6-Door Limousine............................... 5,000 miles 2010 Cadillac Superior Statemen Funeral Coach... 36,000 miles 2007 Cadillac Eureka Broughman Funeral Coach... 50,000 miles 2002 Cadillac Eureka Broughman Funeral Coach... 76,000 miles 2001 Cadillac Federal 65” Stretch 6-Door............. 86,000 miles 1999 Cadillac M&M Funeral Coach....................... 54,000 miles 1999 Cadillac Cadillac Eagle Funeral Coach........ 100,500 miles 1999 Cadillac Superior Statesman Funeral Coach.. 64,000 miles 1998 Cadillac Eureka Funeral Coach...................... 29,000 miles 1997 Lincoln Superior Diplomat Funeral Coach...... 69,000 miles 1997 Cadillac Federal Funeral Coach..................... 40,000 miles See photos of these and many more at our website. Visit us online. Many other makes and models available. New and Preowned stock available. -John Mullen-
PO Box 15101 • Lenexa, KS 66285 • 800-548-4040 www.mullencoach.com -Scott Heptig-
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Leo C. “Chipper” Basler, Jr. 68 years old of Ste. Genevieve, MO, died Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at his home in Ste. Genevieve, MO. He was born June 16, 1946 in Ste. Genevieve, MO and married to Carolyn S. (Schumer) Basler on January 11, 1969. Survived by: Wife – Carolyn S. Basler, Ste. Genevieve, MO; sons, Shawn (Shkendie) Basler, New York, NY, Eric (Julie) Basler, Ste. Genevieve, MO, Keith Basler, MD (girlfriend Kristen), Tampa, FL; sisters, Lila Jean Grither, Ste. Genevieve, MO, Charlene (Dale) Fick, Kansas City, MO, Mary Agnes (Dick) Kammann, White Pine, TN; grandchildren – Luke, Karlie, and Nate Basler; Alia and Anisa Basler. Also survived by 11 nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: Father, Leo C. “Pumkin” Basler, Sr., Mother, Agnes (Eisenbeis) Basler, Brother-in-law, Ray Grither, Niece, Karen Hoover. Service was at the Church of Ste. Genevieve on Friday, October 31st, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Clergy will be Reverend Gregory Klump and Reverend Dennis Schmidt Memorials can be made to: Valle Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 255, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670 Friends of Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, 800
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Ste. Genevieve Dr, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670 Chipper was a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and past Grand Knight of K of C Council 1037, American Legion Post 150, VFW Post 2210, Ste. Genevieve Elks, Ste. Genevieve Parish Finance Committee, President of the Friends of Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, past member of the Ste. Genevieve Lion’s Club, Ste. Genevieve Rotary (past president), past board member of Ste. Genevieve Health Department, Sexton of Valle Spring Cemetery for many years, Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce, Ste. Genevieve Golf Club, Ste. Genevieve Democratic Committee, Friends of Scouting, and Commentator and Eucharistic Minister at Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church. He was a US Army Veteran and served in the Vietnam War, and graduated Valle High School Class of 1964. Chipper was the owner of Basler Funeral Home since 1971 and Coroner for Ste. Genevieve County for over 30 years. He graduated from Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1970 and was a member of the National Funeral Director’s Association, Selected Independent Funeral Homes, Missouri Coroner’s Association, owned and operated Basler Ambulance Service until 1979, and was a member of Missouri Funeral Director’s and Embalmer’s Association where he chaired the MO Fund Pac and the Education Committee.
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Nuggets from the Past President Contact with the next of kin and/or family by MTS should be done before they leave the hospital or hospital staff should gather contact information, especially cell phone numbers that MTS can follow up once the family has left the hospital. If the death is imminent from one of the following John Pautz’s granddaughter Aven (aka Nugget) triggers, MTS is to be called immediately to schedule an assessment for possible donation. Hello MFDEA Members and Key Referral Triggers before death Friends! are: In this issue of The Missouri • Ventilator dependent with (GCS) Funeral Director we are highlighting Glasgow Coma Scale < 5 Organ Donation. This item seems to be • (DNR) Do Not Resuscitate / dea hot topic, good or bad, no matter what escalation of care of imminent deaths <= funeral director or embalmer you talk 55 years with. The main complaint is the length • Discussion of withdrawal of of time it takes to get the body back support by family or physician to the funeral home. This could be just • Brain death exams being waiting for a decline from the family, planned <=80 years to the return after the donation of the The critical information that MTS organ(s).We as funeral directors always gathers for a referral is: the Name of the hear about the end result. Patient, age, gender, race, date and time I had the opportunity to take the of death, whether the individual was on same training as the nurses, physicians, a ventilator, and cause of death. This and chaplains. “Collaborating for Life” information allows MTS to find suitable your roll in referring potential organ and recipients. FYI. Not all adult parts will fit tissue donors. The training through Midin children. America Transplant Services (MTS) was Once MTS is notified of pending very enlightening. I learned to recognize death, it is the hospitals responsibility the clinical triggers for timely referrals, to keep MTS in the loop as to the status provide the critical information for the of the individual. An MTS Donor Service referral, collaborate effectively with MTS. Coordinator will determine the suitability And finally, communicate sensitively and of the individual. Once an individual is compassionately with families. considered an organ donor, a MTS team Once a death has occurred, the member will be sent to the hospital to nurse, physician, or chaplain, are to follow up on the donation. Once at the notify MTS within one hour after the location, the team member will contact death. All deaths are to be reported no the donors nurse and physician as to matter the age, medical history or cause the continued plan of care. Review the of death. It is not the hospital staff’s individual’s medical records as to the responsibility to solicit tissue or organ organs viable for donation. Check the donations. Placement of the deceased in state registry and see if the individual the morgue refrigeration unit increases is listed for First Person Authorization. the time line for tissue donations. 22
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And finally identify the legal next of kin using the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act hierarchy. The onsite MTS Coordinator along with the local care team will continue to evaluate the individual’s next steps of care while on a ventilator and the appropriate time to talk with family about the organ donation. Once introduced to the next of kin and family, your roll in referring potential organ and tissue donors to MTS is over. The onsite MTS Coordinator will begin communicating with grieving families through discretion and sensitivity. Helping them understand the prognosis of their loved one or death. Getting to know the families emotional, spiritual and physical needs. And will continue with support and status about the donation. FYI. Did you know that organ transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage organ failure? Federal and State laws require hospitals, medical examiners, and coroners to notify services such as MTS of every death for potential donation. One donor may help as many as eight lives. Eighteen people die every day that are on the waiting list for organ donations. Cornea transplants are one of the most common transplants performed. Over 90,000 patients are on the donor list for Kidneys. Kidney transplants are cheaper that dialysis therapy. In addition, here are the numbers for other organs. Pancreas, over 1,300. Kidney and pancreas together, over 2,000. Liver, over 16,000. Intestines, over 250. Heart, over 3,000. Lung, over 1,700. Heart and lung together, over 50. Out of all death calls reported to organ services, only 1-2% are potential donors. Walking with our families’ organ concerns gives other loved ones a chance. Isn’t that part of our path too?
MFDEA E ndorsed C ompanies Credit, Debit & Check Processing
Pre-Need Trust
Midwest Electronic Business Solutions
Missouri Funeral Trust (573) 635-1661 • Fax (573) 635-9494 (provides preneed trust and assistance)
Marty Burns, President Cell (816) 244-4250 • Cell (816) 262-9909 4462 109th Ave, Marathon, Iowa 50565 mburns303@iowatelecom.net • www.mebsllc.com
Property & Casualty Insurance Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Insurance
Funeral Directors
Federated Insurance
Life Insurance Company FDLIC
Dan Garcia, Account Rep
Gary Boulicault (314) 574-7679 gboulicault@funeraldirectorslife.com
(800) 533-0472 • dgarcia@fedins.com
Debt Collection
Technology Solutions
Hunter Warfield
FrontRunner
Collections & Asset Investigation Jane Suter, Director National Accounts, Death Care Direct (800) 509-5542 • Fax (813) 283-4464 3111 W MLK Blvd, 2nd Floor, Tampa, FL 33607 jsuter@hunterwarfield.com • www.hunterwarfield.com
FrontRunner360.com/MFDEA (866) 748.3625
R ecommended C ompanies Answering Service
Director’s Choice For more information contact Diane O’Brien at (888) 920-1900
Credit Unions
Estate PlanningDeferred Sales Trust
Funeral Service Credit Union
Banta Benham & Associates
915 Durkin Dr., Ste A PO Box 7126 Springfield, IL 62704 Ph: (866) 701-3728 Fax: (217) 546-5425 www.fscunet.org
Champ Herren PO Box 70, Marshfield, MO 65706 Ph: (800) 280-3400 Fax: (417) 468-7064 champ@centurytel.net www.mydstplan.com/champ
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MFDEA 1757 Woodclift Drive, Suite 202 Jefferson City, MO 65109 over a century of strength
PRESORTED FIRST CLASS US POSTAGE PAID Jefferson City, MO 65101 Permit 313