2025-2026 MFDA BOARD MEMBERS BRI MULVANEY, President Axelson Funeral Home and Cremation, Butte Longfellow Finnigan Riddle Funeral Home, Anaconda bri@axelsonfuneralhome.com RICK WALTER, Vice President Longfellow Finnigan Riddle Funeral Home, Anaconda rick@anacondafuneralhome.com (406) 563-3371 JIM ASPER, Treasurer Asper Funeral Homes, Shelby, Custer, Cut Bank, Conrad jim@asperfh.com (406) 434-2172 CHRIS HOLT, Secretary, NFDA State Association Representative Anderson Stevenson Wilke Retz Funeral Home, Helena chris@aswfuneralhome.com KASSITY SORLIE, Southcentral District Governor Smith Funeral Chapels, Billings kassity@smithfuneralchapels.com FRED NELSON, Western District Governor The Lake Funeral Home, Polson flatheadpolson@centurytel.net JESSIE SATHER, Southwestern District Governor jesswldwmn@yahoo.com BROOKE GIEKE, Eastern District Governor Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, Miles City brooke@stevensonandsons.com AUSTIN ASPER, Northcentral District Governor Asper Funeral Homes austinasper@gmail.com KATIE BACA, Future Development Leaders Director Just Cremation Montana, Missoula katie@missoulafuneralhomes.com STEVE KIRKEGARD, Immediate Past President Bullis Funeral Home and Cremation, Hardin skirkegard@yahoo.com TERRI JAMES, Executive Director info@montanafda.org ©2026 The Montana Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) | MBR Connect DBA 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. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 4 A Rewarding Investment By Bri Mulvaney, President, MFDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 6 On the Horizon By Terri James, Executive Director, MFDA 8 Called to Serve, Trusted to Care Steve and Denise Schnackenberg Retire 10 2026 MFDA Convention and Trade Show June 14-16, 2026 11 2026 Upcoming Events 12 Internships and Registered Apprenticeships in Montana Funeral Service How They Differ and Why It Matters By Rick Walter, Vice President, MFDA 14 Know When to Step Up By John T. Hill, CFSP, Embalmer, Hill Mortuary Service and Seminars 16 Caring Communities Guidance for Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss By Tracy Rassley, Programs Manager, Montana Chapter, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 18 Why Language Matters More Than Ever 19 A Brief Guide to Military Funeral Honors 20 Henrietta S. Bowers Duterte America’s First Female Undertaker 22 Is It Really the IRS? Common Tax Scams and How To Avoid Them By Rose James, Attorney, Morrison Law Firm PLLC 23 2026 MFDA Members TABLE OF CONTENTS 12 16 https://montanafda.org DIRECTORS DIGEST | 3
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQxMjUw