Helping Businesses Cover Their Asses for Over 30 Years
Poul Lemasters, Esq.
He’s dedicated his life to helping businesses, associations, startups and entrepreneurs make decisions that cover their asses — no matter how ugly.
Poul began his career in deathcare more than 20 years ago as a funeral director and embalmer. He quickly recognized that the growing risk and liability in deathcare, along with the lack of support and resources for those in this profession, made for a deadly combination. So, he decided to go to law school — and he passed!
Today, Poul uses his unique background in both deathcare and law to provide resources and counsel to other deathcare professionals. He gets calls for assistance in risk management, daily operational conflicts, form and contract reviews, valuations and regulatory matters — basically, all the exciting issues our profession has to offer. Poul advises several funeral home, crematory, cemetery and trade associations across the United States. He also shares his know-how with those in the field by serving as cremation coordinator and advisor for ICCFA’s Cremation Education Program. You’re always welcome to call Poul to learn about proactive prevention for your business or for some reactive counseling after you get sued.
On Grief and Healing
Dr. Tina Barrett
Dr. Tina Barrett, LCPC, specializes in strength-oriented care and fostering resilience following traumatic experiences and attachment breaks. A licensed clinical professional counselor, Barrett integrates stories and experiences from over 25 years of work in hospitals, schools, group homes, private practice, wilderness therapy and nonprofit grief centers. As the executive director of Tamarack Grief Resource Center, her commitment to excellence in grief and trauma care is matched by her profound commitment to healthy organizations and setting teams up for success. Barrett is the author of numerous chapters and articles and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief, the Board of Directors for the Leadership Team for Project Tomorrow Montana, and the Advisory Board for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. She was recognized as the 2019 Community Educator by the Association of Death Educators and Counselors.
Strengthening and honoring individuals, families and communities throughout their journey with grief.
Camps & Retreats • Community Workshops • Support Groups • Support for Schools • Counseling • Professional Education • Urgent Response Support
www.tamarackgrc.org
What You Need to Know About a Death By Suicide and Loss Survivors
Tracy Rassley
This presentation will provide you with information regarding suicide and suicide deaths. It will also go through some of the resources that we have available to funeral homes to provide support for family members of those who have died by suicide.
Tracy is the program manager for the Montana and Wyoming Chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). After 24 years as a paralegal and volunteering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for almost seven years, she has now been in her current position for over a year. She has presented countless trainings for AFSP that include “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention,” “Supporting Those at Risk,” “It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health” and “It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health.” In addition, she is a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer.
Case Studies in Trauma Restoration
Dominick J. Astorino
Dominick J. Astorino holds degrees in cellular biology, mortuary science and forensic medicine. He is on faculty at the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago and Wayne State University in Detroit, where he teaches courses in embalming, restorative art and pathology.
His work in the field of restorative art and embalming is highlighted by publications as well as frequent invitations to present lectures across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Dominick believes in the power of education and the global value that viewing the dead offers to society. Because of this core belief, he has worked to improve the standards of care not just in the United States but also in places such as Kenya, Trinidad, Hong Kong and South Africa. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Michigan and Illinois, has sat on the restorative art curriculum review committee for the American Board of Funeral Service Education and offers expert witness testimony in legal proceedings related to mortuary science.
Dominick is fully committed to elevating educational standards and fostering a deeper understanding of restorative art, especially as it correlates to embalming and forensic medicine. He is the author of the textbook “Postmortem Restorative Art: Principles, Methods & Applications,” which has been described as a seminal work in the field of mortuary science. This textbook reflects over 20 years of research and practical experience aiming to provide an accessible yet thorough examination of restorative art.
