Pub. 2 2023 Issue 4

On Nov. 17, 2023, the Board of Funeral Services met for the first time since February and only for the second time this year. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Axelson at 10:00 AM. Chair Axelson announced that Deacan Dan McGrath was resigning from the Board. Mr. McGrath served as the Public […]

January 25 Board MeetingHelena Great Northern Hotel Helena, MT March 19-22 NFDA Advocacy Gaylord Hotel, Washington, D.C. April 18 Board Meeting Virtual Spring District Meetings May 14 — Butte/Anaconda May 15 — Missoula May 16 — Great Falls May 22 — Miles City May 23 — Billings June 23-25 2024 MFDA Convention Holiday Inn Missoula

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published draft enforcement guidance regarding workplace harassment. According to SESCO Management Consultants, an NFDA Endorsed Provider Partner, highlights of the proposed guidance include broad protections for LGBTQ+ employees, virtual workplace harassment and non-work-related social media activity that contributes to a hostile work environment. LGBTQ+ Protections According to the

Avalon Marie Fuller Billquist Avalon Marie Fuller Billquist was born in Spokane, WA, on Sept. 7, 1926. She passed away on Oct. 10, 2023, at Ruby Valley Hospital in Sheridan, MT. Avalon was the oldest of four children born to Margaret Barrett and Lyle Fuller. She grew up in Mill Creek under the shadow of

NFDA’s 2023 cremation and burial report shows the states in the western region of the U.S. are leading the pack in terms of the highest cremation rates in the country. The U.S. cremation rate is expected to increase in the United States from 60.5% in 2023 to 81.4% by 2045, according to the National Funeral

The NFDA held their convention September 10-13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. It was an exciting event of important educational sessions and networking opportunities. Thank you to all who attended, and a big thank you to the sponsors! We hope to see you again next year.

How do you comfort a woman who lost someone that she never got to meet? There were no memories to reflect on. No belongings with a familiar smell, no favorite t-shirt, no words to live by. No weird stories that she’d heard at every Thanksgiving dinner since childhood. Just an empty nursery to return home

Medallion Vault & Casket Company, based out of Billings, Montana, is a second-generation family-run business. It all started in 1980 when Dave McLendon opened Medallion Vault. Dave specialized in selling fiberglass vaults and stock tanks throughout Montana and Wyoming. A few years later, Robert “Bob” Foslien joined the business as a partner and the decision

Happy fall, everyone. The weather is changing, and the holidays are around the corner. Hopefully, everyone is doing well. Here is a little information on what is happening with the NFDA so far. The FTC is in the process of reviewing the Funeral Rule. There are seven specific issues they are considering: Online and Electronic

Welcome to our final edition of the MFDA Directors Digest for 2023. It’s hard to believe another year has come and is on its way out. The end of 2023 marks my eighth year representing the association. It seems like yesterday, the board brought me on board. To quote from line 284 of book 3

Time moves so quickly, and we find ourselves at the end of yet another year. Looking at events of the past year, I want to thank you all for your participation in supporting our association. Together, we were able to get good legislation passed, providing the opportunity to better serve our fellow Montanans. If you