loved ones to COVID – receive financial help from the federal government to cover the cost of associated funeral expenses. FEMA has provided over $1.47 billion to nearly 226,000 people to assist with COVID-19-related funeral costs for deaths occurring on or after Jan. 20, 2020. In Montana alone, grieving families have received over $2 million in federal COVID-19 loss support. Over 800 applications are being, or have been, processed in the state, thanks to the help of our funeral directors and the association’s guidance. You may have seen that the MFDA sent out its membership renewal notices in late December. The MFDA Board strongly encourages you to renew your membership or, if you are not a member, to join the Association. Legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts – tracking the implementation of the ETS, advocating for passage of the Federal BRAVE Act, obtaining a secure and adequate source of funding for the Montana Board of Funeral Services – are only some of the many benefits you receive as an MFDA member. Other benefits include a copy of this trade magazine – the written forum by which the Association provides coverage to MFDA members of industry trends and developments, new and proposed legislation, regulatory issues, and association events and updates. Other important member benefits are the various quality education programs hosted by MFDA to help you fulfill your continuing education requirements. Finally, we encourage you to attend the MFDA Convention & Trade Show, which, COVID-19 permitting, is planned for June 2-5, 2022, in Helena. Because of the pandemic, the MFDA has been unable to host its annual convention since 2019. The Board hopes we can gather back together in person this year. To this end, the Association has already begun to prepare the convention schedule and activities. You can learn more about the 2022 convention by visiting our webpage at montanafda.org. I hope you enjoy this edition of Director’s Digest. MFDA Board of Directors and staff are proud of the quality of this publication. And we thank those of you who continue to be members of the MFDA, and for all you do on behalf of the industry. Best wishes for a fun and productive winter and spring. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 MFDA Spring District Meetings Online Webinar — 2 CE April 22 — 6-8:30 p.m. Advocacy Summit- Canceled due to COVID May 4-6 Washington, D.C. MFDA Convention and Trade Show June 2-5 MFDA Convention and Trade Show Great Northern Hotel, Helena June 2 — 6-7:30 p.m. Past Presidents Reception-Rotunda of Montana Capital, Helena All MFDA members invited June 3 — MFDA Annual Golf Tournament MFDA Summer Board Meeting June 3 — 1 p.m. Great Northern Hotel, Helena NFDA Leadership Conference July 10-13 Orlando, Florida NFDA International Convention & Expo October 9-12 Baltimore, MD MFDA Fall Board Meeting November 1 — Billings MFDA Fall District Meetings-Live Locations and time TBA November 1 — Billings November 2 — Miles City November 3 — Butte November 9 — Great Falls November 10 — Missoula MFDA CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2022 ■ 8 Montana Funeral Directors Association
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