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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT On the Horizon By Terri James, Executive Director, MFDA 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 “Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery.” — Bill Watterson 6 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
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