Hello fellow MFDA members and friends,

It has been a busy summer starting with our state convention in Missoula in June. Numbers were record‑setting in terms of membership attendance, vendors and sponsor contributions. A very special thank you to my predecessor, Tyson Moore. Tyson has been a shepherd of our organization this past year and continues his leadership as immediate past president. His wisdom and guidance are much appreciated as I take my turn at leading our association. Thanks are also in order for Chris Holt, past president, who has navigated difficult waters in his tenure to be sure. I’m grateful for your support and counsel. Also, I want to express a big thank you to Rick Evans and Garden City and staff for their amazing hospitality for this year’s annual convention. And a very special thank you to our Executive Director Jim Brown and Executive Assistant Terri James. Your leadership is what drives our strategic vision and the day-to-day application of the associated logistics through your hard work makes us an association on the rise. Your contributions and efforts truly make MFDA what it is today.

July 29, 2024, through Aug. 1, 2024, found Terri, Chris and me in Jacksonville, Florida, for the NFDA 2024 Leadership Conference. It was so nice to spend time with Chris (and family) and Terri in northeast Florida. I paid particular attention to presentations by Lesley Witter (NFDA lobbyist) and NFDA Counsel Chris Farmer on two very important subjects pertaining to us within the MFDA. First, the formaldehyde rule, which has been taken up by the EPA and at the time of our convention, was awaiting the final rule in terms of acceptable formaldehyde emissions in our prep rooms. For years, 750 parts per million has been the acceptable standard for the EPA and OSHA. Interestingly, embalming has been excluded (not exempted) from consideration for formaldehyde output, but the EPA has determined that it presents an unacceptable risk in the workplace. Long story short, the EPA is considering an 11 parts per billion rule in terms of acceptable exposure limits, which equates to the amount you breathe naturally out of your body with every breath. In our funeral world, this would be unacceptable and spell doom to the millions of small businesses in the funeral industry that rely on formaldehyde products to serve families desiring a meaningful sendoff and closure for a loved one. Should the EPA choose such a Draconian solution, the NFDA vows to fight on our behalf.

Second, the FTC rule will change (we’re assured) probably within an eight-month window. According to Farmer, he expects that no later than April 2025 a final rule will be issued by the FTC as it relates to the funeral rule. At a minimum, we expect that online general price lists will become mandatory for funeral home websites. Also, non‑compete clauses will be banned in just about every imaginable scenario.

I look forward to our virtual fall meeting and anticipate reaching out to you via personal calls and visits. You are the lifeblood of our association and without you we cease to exist. On behalf of the executive board, we will work tirelessly to foster your investment in the association and do everything possible to make our mission reflect your values in terms of providing excellent resources, education and advocacy on your behalf as it relates to serving your families and serving you in a changing regulatory landscape.

We are living in a topsy-turvy and seemingly upside‑down world, it seems some days. Here is a little humorous anecdote to leave you with. Our intrepid Executive Assistant Terri James arrived in Jacksonville on a Saturday, only to have her luggage arrive 24 hours later. Upon her departure, not one, but two flights were canceled on the same day. As a word to the wise, never book a flight if Terri is on it! What a trooper she is, and we’re grateful for her excellent service. Just don’t let her pick your Bingo numbers.

I’m proud to be representing you, and we are all part of the MFDA family.

My best,
Steve Kirkegard