“Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery.” — Bill Watterson
Welcome to the winter edition of Directors Digest, the first issue of the year, as we celebrate the Montana Funeral Directors Association’s 125th anniversary. I am still eagerly anticipating winter here in Southwest Montana, but instead, it feels as though spring fever is kicking in much too early.
The past couple of months have been busy at MFDA. In January, I attended the Council of Funeral Association Executives meeting, which featured 12 hours of education and networking opportunities. This meeting is essential for leaders within the associations, as it allows states to share what works for their success and what does not.
Chris Farmer, NFDA legal counsel, reported on shifts within the FTC and his expectation that the Funeral Rule will remain on hold for now, pending the replacement of the commissioner. He also updated the group on pending lawsuits in Florida and Illinois regarding privacy laws and fingerprints. The lawsuits filed in those states allege that they never authorized funeral homes to take the decedents’ fingerprints. Lawsuits also name the vendor who offered to sell memorial jewelry. Rulings are being considered in both federal and state courts at this time. If you hear of any such cases in our state, please reach out to me at info@montanafda.org or Chris at cfarmer@nfda.org.
Membership renewals were issued in December and were due Jan. 31. I would like to express my gratitude to all of our members for their continued support. If you have not yet completed your renewal, please do so at your earliest convenience. The membership directory for the 2026-2027 cycle is currently being prepared for publication this spring. I encourage you to visit the MFDA website to discover new associate members and to support those who contribute to the association’s success.
The MFDA held its first board meeting of 2026, and I feel truly fortunate to work with such an energetic board of directors. Preparations for the 2026 MFDA Convention and Trade Show are underway, showcasing our commitment to delivering a remarkable, impactful event. Please visit montanafda.org/2026-convention for registration details and the convention schedule.
This year’s convention will be held in historic Butte at the beautiful Copper King Inn and Convention Center, June 14-16. Bring your family for a fun, educational and celebratory experience!
One of the highlights of the convention is recognizing those celebrating milestone years. This year, award recipients include:
2026 MFDA Membership Milestones
55 Years (1971)
- Dennis Croxford
45 Years (1981)
- Steve Schnider
- Joe Stevenson
35 Years (1991)
- William Kropp
- Thomas Grymes
- Carron A. Grymes
- John Dahl
- F. Ray Ruffatto
30 Years (1996)
- Christopher E. Remely
10 Years (2016)
- Kristen Robertson
- Jacklyn Keto-Mason
- Steven Kirkegard
5 Years (2021)
- Marcia Princivalli
- Courtney Molloy
- Amy Wallace
- Ross Halvorson
- Austin Asper
- Nicholas Andrews
- Kallan Kropp
- Dennis Newgard
- Brooke Gierke
- Lance Frati
Congratulations to all this year’s recipients! The award ceremony will take place on Monday, June 15, during the Gala, where we will once again pay tribute to past MFDA presidents. Mark your calendars!
Also, in January, MFDA lobbyist Brad Longcake and I spoke before the legislative committee regarding HJ 27, an interim study on morticians and the funeral service industry. The study directs the committee to first evaluate ways to update Montana’s existing statutory framework for regulating the funeral industry. Second, it aims to explore the authorization of additional forms of disposition in Montana law. The association’s goal is to modernize Montana’s code, which currently allows only two forms of disposition, to reflect the changing realities of our industry. Brad and I will monitor the situation closely to ensure we are adequately prepared for the 2027 session.
Bri Mulvaney, president of the MFDA, Chris Holt, MFDA policy representative, and I will be traveling to Washington, D.C., in April for the NFDA Advocacy Summit. Of particular interest are two proposed bills: the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act and the Funeral Coverage Act, both of which have drawn significant attention in Congress. The funeral coverage bill aims to allow remaining HSA funds to be used for final disposition. The NFDA is also monitoring several bills it supports related to veterans’ funerals and well-being.
Meanwhile, your district governors are gearing up for the district meetings in May. Here’s a preview of the schedule:
May District Meetings
May 6 — Great Falls
Location TBD
May 7 — Butte
MacKenzie River Pizza
Cocktails at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner and meeting at 6:00 p.m.
May 14 — Missoula
Mustard Seed at Southgate Mall
Cocktails at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner and meeting at 6:00 p.m.
May 19 — Miles City
Black Iron Grill
Cocktails at 5:00 p.m.
Dinner and meeting at 6:00 p.m.
May 20 — Billings
The Windmill
Cocktails at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner and meeting at 6:00 p.m.
As a reminder, these meetings offer 2 CE hours to attendees and will be held during the district governor election period. If you are interested in running for office and joining the MFDA Board of Directors, please email me to have your name added to the ballot.
Make the most of your winter days, and as always, I truly appreciate everything you do for our families.
Terri James
MFDA Executive Director
