©2025 The Montana Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) | The newsLINK Group LLC. All rights reserved. Directors Digest is published four times per year by The newsLINK Group LLC for MFDA and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of MFDA, its board of directors or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. Directors Digest is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of MFDA. While a first-print policy is encouraged, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at (855) 747-4003. 11 20 President’s Message 4 Positive Growth By Steve Kirkegard, President, MFDA Former Executive Director’s Report 6 A Bittersweet Goodbye By James Brown, Esq., Former Executive Director, MFDA New Executive Director’s Report 8 A New Chapter Begins By Terri James, Executive Director, MFDA 10 Army to Reintegrate Limited Caisson Support for Funeral Services at Arlington National Cemetery Register Today! 11 2025 MFDA Convention and Trade Show June 22-24, 2025 12 Convention Schedule 13 Convention Speakers 14 A Role Model for Funeral Professionals Everywhere By Patti Martin Bartsche 15 Congratulations to Our 2025 Award Recipients 16 Montana Board of Funeral Service Update By Rick Walter, Board Member, MFDA In Memoriam 17 His Holiness Pope Francis Dec. 17, 1936-April 21, 2025 In Loving Memory 18 Albert “Al” James Jr. Robert “Bob” Bunch 20 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. By Chris Holt, State Association Representative, NFDA 22 Find Rich and Rare History at Forestvale Cemetery By Mike Cuffe, Montana State Senator Directors Digest | 3
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