ISSUE 3 2026 PUB. 5 2026 MFDA Convention and Trade Show Highlights Chris Holt Elected as At-Large Representative to NFDA Board of Directors
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2026-2027 MFDA BOARD MEMBERS RICK WALTER, President Longfellow Finnigan Riddle Funeral Home, Anaconda rick@anacondafuneralhome.com (406) 563-3371 JIM ASPER, Vice President Asper Funeral Homes, Shelby, Custer, Cut Bank, Conrad jim@asperfh.com (406) 434-2172 CHRIS HOLT, Treasurer Anderson Stevenson Wilke Retz Funeral Home, Helena chris@aswfuneralhome.com KASSITY SORLIE, Secretary Smith Funeral Chapels, Billings kassity@smithfuneralchapels.com DONNA DAWSON, Southcentral District Governor Smith Funeral Chapels, Laurel ddawsonsofc@gmail.com COURTNEY MOLLOY, Western District Governor Missoula Funeral Homes courtney@missoulafuneralhomes.com 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 SCOT, Future Development Leaders Director Just Cremation Montana, Missoula katie@missoulafuneralhomes.com BRI MULVANEY, Immediate Past President Axelson Funeral Home and Cremation, Butte Longfellow Finnigan Riddle Funeral Home, Anaconda bri@axelsonfuneralhome.com TERRI JAMES, Executive Director info@montanafda.org ©2026 The Montana Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) | MBR Connect. All rights reserved. Directors Digest is published four times per year 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 (801) 676-9722. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 4 Our Unity, Our Commitment, Our Power By Rick Walter, President, MFDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 6 Together, We Are Stronger! By Terri James, Executive Director, MFDA 8 2026 MFDA Convention and Trade Show in Photos June 14-16, Butte, Montana 10 Congratulations to Our 2026 Award Recipients! 12 Kyle Gooch Awarded the Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship 13 Meet the 2026-2027 MFDA Board of Directors 15 2026 MFDA Professional Womens Conference October 11-12 16 2026 NFDA Leadership Conference Report By Chris Holt, 2026-2028 At-Large Representative, NFDA Board of Directors 17 Avoiding Burnout in Funeral Service Preventative Strategies and Mental Health Support By Sam Ore, Trauma Therapist, Redtail Mental Health 19 Montana Board of Funeral Service Update By Jim Axelson, Chair, Montana State Board of Funeral Service IN LOVING MEMORY 20 Marjorie Karen (Smith) Boyce 22 Upcoming Events TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 montanafda.org Cover image and convention photography on pages 8-11 by Jennifer Cobarrubias, Queen Beys Photography. 17 DIRECTORS DIGEST | 3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Our Unity, Our Commitment, Our Power By Rick Walter, President, MFDA I am honored and humbled to have been placed into the office of president of the Montana Funeral Directors Association. Thank you to the membership for your trust and support. For more than 125 years, the Montana Funeral Directors Association has stood as a steady, professional voice for funeral service in our state. As we move toward the end of the year, our association will work in close conjunction with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry and Board of Funeral Service as the 2027 legislative session approaches. Following the passage of HJ 27 during the 2025 session, the Montana Economic Affairs Interim Committee has been charged with studying existing Montana laws and preparing legislation for 2027. That upcoming bill will clarify statutory language, add recognition for new forms of disposition and refine scope-of-practice definitions. This is an important opportunity to ensure our laws reflect current practice and protect both families and funeral service professionals. I encourage every member to be active in the process; engage with the association, attend hearings, provide comments and help build the consensus needed to get this legislation approved. We are fortunate to have outstanding legislative representation in Mr. Brad Longcake. His deep knowledge of the Legislature and excellent connections across the state make him a true asset to MFDA. His guidance will be invaluable as we navigate the interim study and the 2027 bill process. I also want to celebrate a Montana success on the national stage. At the 2026 NFDA Leadership Conference — which was attended by Terri James, Chris Holt and myself — Montana Funeral Director Chris Holt of Helena was elected to serve a two-year term as an at-large member of the NFDA Board. Please congratulate Chris when you see him. His service gives Montana a clear voice at the national level. Congratulations, Chris — we know you will do a great job. Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the future of MFDA. Our strength lies in our unity, our commitment to professional excellence and the power of our collective advocacy. Membership brings tangible benefits — regulatory support, continuing education, networking and a platform to shape the future of funeral service in Montana. Working together, we will continue to advance our profession and better serve Montana families. Thank you again for the privilege of serving as your president. I look forward to working with each of you in the year ahead. 4 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Together, We Are Stronger! By Terri James, Executive Director, MFDA What a wonderful year we have had so far as we celebrate the Montana Funeral Directors Association’s 125th anniversary! The District Meetings held in May were a great success, with strong attendance from our members. A sincere thank-you to our district governors for their hard work and dedication in planning these events. I would also like to extend my gratitude to US Alliance for sponsoring all of the dinners and beverages. Our partnership is invaluable to our association, and we truly appreciate their continued support. If you haven’t tried the new trust yet, I encourage you to! The convention was an incredibly uplifting event. I find myself smiling whenever I reflect on it — not only because it was enjoyable and educational, but because it provided such a wonderful opportunity for members to reconnect, build relationships and strengthen the bonds that make our association so special. It was a true honor to present awards recognizing some remarkable milestones, including Gary Croxford’s 55 years as an MFDA member. Gary, you are a tremendous asset to our association, and your dedication is truly inspiring. We also celebrated the incredible 45-year journeys of Steve Schnider and Joe Stevenson — two exceptional individuals whom I deeply admire. Be sure to check out the photos from the awards ceremony on page 10, which capture the spirit and magic of that special evening. Congratulations to all of our award recipients! The awards ceremony also included a heartfelt vendor appreciation award for Dennis Beverlin of Precoa. His dear friend, Joe Stevenson, graciously joined me in presenting this special recognition. Dennis has been a cherished part of MFDA conventions and conferences, and his presence has always brought warmth and friendship to our gatherings. From the moment I joined the association nine years ago, Dennis and I have developed a genuine friendship that I will always treasure. Dennis, you will be greatly missed, my friend. We also presented a special Lifetime Recognition Award to Rick Evans. Rick has been a dedicated member of the MFDA Board of Directors, serving two terms as president. He has also represented Montana on the NFDA Policy Board. I invite you to view the special photo section on page 10, which captures the ceremony celebrating Rick with his family and his employees. It was a fitting tribute to his many years of service and dedication. Following our celebration of members’ milestone achievements, we expressed our gratitude to Bri Mulvaney for her dedicated service as MFDA president over the past year. It was truly a pleasure to work alongside her leadership. Thank you, Bri, for your hard work, commitment and service to our association. Following the presentation of a plaque from NFDA and MFDA to Bri, we were honored to have Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobson swear in our new board members: President: Rick Walter Vice President: Jim Asper Treasurer: Chris Holt Secretary: Kassity Sorlie Immediate Past President: Brianne Mulvaney District Governors: Donna Dawson Austin Asper Jessie Sather Courtney Molloy Brooke Gierke Future Development Leader: Katie Scot On behalf of our board of directors and membership, I would also like to recognize our wonderful vendors. Each of you helped make this year’s convention and trade show a special event. Thank you for supporting our association and joining us in Butte. We sincerely appreciate your partnership. Following the convention, I traveled to Louisville for the NFDA Leadership Conference, where MFDA was proudly represented by President Rick Walter, Chris Holt and me. Chris successfully ran for a position on the NFDA Board of Directors, marking another incredible achievement for our association. Chris was elected from a field of four candidates, making him only 6 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
the second MFDA member in our history to earn this honor. We certainly felt the pressure throughout the election process, but Chris delivered an outstanding performance and represented Montana exceptionally well. The entire MFDA family and I could not be prouder of his accomplishment. The Council of Funeral Association Executives (CFAE) also gathered in Louisville for its quarterly meeting. I am always grateful for the opportunity to participate in these meetings, where state association executives share ideas, experiences and insights that help us strengthen our organizations and better serve our members. So, what’s next? Be sure to check the upcoming events calendar on page 22 for information about the Montana Dinner in Charlotte, held in conjunction with the NFDA Convention. Our Fall ESTABLISHED 1931 CALL US TODAY! (406) 452-8129 MontanaGranite.com Four Generations of Serving Montana "Our goal has always been to produce the finest granite memorials possible." — Daren Rummel, Owner, Montana Granite Industries, Inc. District Meeting will be held virtually in November, followed by the Mid-Winter Conference in Helena in January. MFDA will also host a legislator reception, providing an opportunity to meet and visit with our new legislators. Finally, don’t forget about our inaugural Women’s Conference coming in October. We are excited about this new opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate the women who contribute so much to our profession and our association. As we continue celebrating 125 years of MFDA, I am reminded again that our greatest strength is the people who make up this association. Thank you to our members, vendors, leaders, volunteers and partners for everything you do. Together, we are stronger — and the future of MFDA is bright! DIRECTORS DIGEST | 7
2026 MFDA Convention and Trade Show in Photos June 14-16, Butte, Montana 8 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
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Congratulations to Our 2026 Award Recipients! Lifetime Achievement Recognition Award Rick Evans 10 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
55 Years Dennis Croxford 45 Years Steve Schnider 45 Years Joe Stevenson 35 Years Thomas Grymes Carron A. Grymes 30 Years Christopher E. Remely 5 Years Marcia Princivalli Austin Asper Courtney Molloy Dennis Beverlin Award for Outstanding Vendor Precoa Past Presidents in Attendance Chris Holt Steve Schnider Dennis Croxford Rick Evans Tom Grymes Tyson Moore T.J. Stevenson DIRECTORS DIGEST | 11
Kyle Gooch Awarded the Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship Kyle Gooch, a mortician intern at Holland Bonine Funeral Home in Havre, was announced as the 2026 recipient of the Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship. The $2,500 award from the Funeral Service Foundation Scholarship Program will support Kyle’s pursuit of an associate degree in funeral service at Cape Cod Community College, which he expects to complete in 2027. Kyle was born and raised in Havre and is passionate about serving families. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors. About the Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship Named in memory of Dennis Schoepp, two-time MFDA president, the scholarship is awarded annually to a student pursuing a degree in funeral service. Preference is given to students from Montana who intend to work in funeral service in Montana upon graduation. The scholarship is offered by the Funeral Service Foundation in partnership with the MFDA. Applications are accepted in biannual submission cycles, with the next running from Sept. 15 to Nov. 1, 2026. In addition to meeting the foundation’s submission requirements, applicants for the Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship must also submit a letter of reference/support from an MFDA member firm to MFDA at info@montanafda.org. To learn more about the Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship or other scholarships available through the Funeral Service Foundation Scholarship Program, scan the QR code. https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/ scholarship-opportunities/academic-scholarships/ 12 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
Meet the 2026-2027 MFDA Board of Directors Rick Walter President Rick graduated from the University of Montana Western with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. In 2001, he received his mortuary science degree from Mt. Hood Community College in Portland, Oregon. Rick has worked at several funeral homes in Montana since 2010, and in 2025, he started working at Longfellow Funeral Home in Anaconda. In his spare time, Rick enjoys reading and collecting books, as well as camping and kayaking. Jim Asper Vice President Jim began his career in the deathcare industry as a part-time cemetery maintenance worker. When he turned 18, he started as an apprentice mortician. He graduated from Mt. Hood Community College with an applied degree in mortuary science. Together with his beautiful wife, Autumn, and four teenage kids, Jim moved to Shelby after the purchase of the Whitted Funeral Chapels in Cut Bank and Shelby. He spends whatever little time off he has golfing, hunting, traveling and enjoying as much quality time with his family as possible. Chris Holt Treasurer Chris graduated from Mt. Hood Community College in Portland, Oregon, in funeral service in 2007. Chris moved his family to Helena and has been serving there ever since. Chris previously served as president of MFDA for two years and is also an at-large representative on the NFDA Board. Chris is married to Kelly, and they have five wonderful children. They enjoy activities outdoors, including hunting, fishing and hiking. Kassity Sorlie Secretary As a mortician at Smith Funeral Chapels in Billings, Kassity’s true passion lies in supporting families through one of the most difficult seasons of their lives. She has previously served as the MFDA Southcentral District governor. When Kassity is not serving families, her greatest joy is being a wife and a mom. You can often find her hand-painting wooden character displays for her front yard to celebrate the holidays, curled up with a good book or watching a rom-com. Brianne Mulvaney Immediate Past President Brianne has worked in funeral homes since 2014, starting at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena, Montana. She graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute with her mortuary science degree in 2016 and became a fully licensed mortician in Montana in 2017. Brianne and her husband, Nick, moved to Butte to serve families at Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services, Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services, and other civic involvements. In her spare time, spending time with family and friends and practicing yoga are her passions. Austin Asper Northcentral District Governor Austin started working in the deathcare industry when his father decided to take over the funeral homes in Shelby and Cut Bank. When he graduated from high school in 2015, he decided to pursue a degree in psychology but ultimately changed his major to mortuary science. While in school, he worked as an apprentice at Larkin Mortuary in Utah. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin cut his DIRECTORS DIGEST | 13
apprenticeship short and returned home to assist the family business. He has been there ever since. Austin currently resides with his wife, Molly, their sons and their dog in Shelby, Montana. Donna Dawson Southcentral District Governor Donna proudly served 24 years as a United States Marine and also has 10 years of experience as an educator. As a first-generation funeral director, Donna blazed her own trail into the profession. Over the past four years as a licensed funeral director in Montana, Donna has embraced the sacred responsibility of serving families during their most vulnerable moments with compassion, dignity and professionalism. As district governor, she is committed to strengthening the bonds between funeral professionals across the district. Courtney Molloy Western District Governor Courtney earned a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science and funeral service with a minor in sociology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Courtney began working in a funeral home in 2005. Prior to joining the Missoula Funeral Homes, Courtney worked for Baue Funeral Homes in St. Charles and O’Fallon, Missouri, serving as a funeral director and manager. Courtney and her husband, Eli, moved to Missoula in 2021, and they have three boys. In her free time, Courtney enjoys reading, hiking, skiing, traveling and generally being in the sunshine. Brooke Gierke Eastern District Governor She attended Montana State University Billings, graduating with an Associate of Business. After a few years, she decided to attend Mt. Hood Mortuary Science Program in Portland, Oregon. Brooke started with Stevenson & Sons in the summer of 2021. She is married to a Miles City native, Jordan Gierke, and they have one daughter, Ramsey, and twins on the way — due this fall. In her free time, she loves being with family and friends, traveling and planning a good lake trip when time allows. Jessie Sather Southwestern District Governor Jessie is a dedicated public servant, wife and mother of six. She lives with her husband, Doug, and spent 20 years working as a pediatric physical therapist before returning to school to pursue a career in mortuary science. Jessie joined the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Coroner’s Office in 2011 and was appointed coroner in 2017. In 2021, she entered the funeral industry. When not serving her community, she enjoys spending time with her children and family, traveling, attending concerts and finding great food spots to try. Katie Scot Future Development Leaders Katie attended the University of Montana, earning her doctorate in forensic anthropology. While in graduate school, she discovered funeral service and has worked in Missoula funeral homes ever since. She now works at Just Cremation Montana in Missoula. Katie also teaches a few classes remotely for Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Katie lives with her two-year-old son and their dog. In her free time, she tries to enjoy the Montana outdoors as much as possible, but more realistically, as a parent, she will settle for reading and cross-stitching at home. 14 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
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2026 NFDA Leadership Conference Report By Chris Holt, 2026-2028 At-Large Representative, NFDA Board of Directors It was a hot, humid and busy week in Louisville, Kentucky, where I had the privilege to attend the NFDA’s 2026 Leadership Conference with MFDA Executive Director Terri James and MFDA President Rick Walter. It was a stimulating and exciting adventure, to say the least. The conference was well attended by leaders of our profession throughout the country. We gathered to learn, network and hear from a variety of speakers on policy, leadership roles, governance, workforce development and family legacies. We had the opportunity to hear from full-time NFDA Lobbyist Leslie Witter on federal policies affecting funeral service and the process for achieving our legislative goals. We also heard from NFDA General Counsel Chris Farmer on a variety of legal issues, and enjoyed a moving and heartfelt closing session about family and the legacies we keep. But the conference wasn’t just for education; we also gathered to elect two at-large representative candidates to the NFDA Board of Directors, with me included in the pool of four. Having served the Montana Funeral Directors Association in various capacities for many years, I was asked to run for a seat on the NFDA Board. It was a daunting prospect, but with support from many individuals, I took a leap of faith and went for it. The lead-up to the election in Kentucky involved months of speaking engagements, articles, interviews, podcasts and good old-fashioned networking. To be honest, I didn’t think I had much of a chance of being elected, given that I was coming from a small association in Montana. But the success we have had as an association and with our state board inspired me to run anyway, and to my great surprise, the effort paid off! I was elected by my peers to serve on the NFDA Board of Directors as a 2026-2028 at-large representative. I want to thank everyone who supported me in this endeavor, and I will proudly serve this role to the best of my ability. To close out the conference, we had the opportunity to visit Churchill Downs for food, refreshments and networking. We were able to view the track from various sky boxes, which was a very enjoyable experience. Thank you again for the opportunity to represent Montana at the NFDA. Take care and God bless. MFDA’s Christopher Holt Elected to NFDA Board of Directors Christopher Holt has been elected to serve as an at-large representative on the NFDA Board of Directors. Maureen E. Krienen, a fourth-generation funeral director with Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home in Wilmington, Delaware, was also elected. Holt and Krienen will begin their two-year terms of service immediately following the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo, taking place Oct. 25-28 in Charlotte, North Carolina. An active leader within the Montana Funeral Directors Association, Holt has served as district governor, secretary, president and most recently as the state’s representative to NFDA. “I am enthusiastic about providing members with all the tools and resources they need to be successful,” Holt said in his campaign statement. “Having worked from the ground up, I realize how details matter, communication matters, teamwork matters and sharing what works helps us all become a stronger association.” For more information about the election and new representatives, visit nfda.org/elections. 16 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
Avoiding Burnout in Funeral Service Preventative Strategies and Mental Health Support By Sam Ore, Trauma Therapist, Redtail Mental Health In the decade since I started my career as a trauma therapist, I’ve worked with many first responders. These are the folks doing more than their share of emotional labor, whose daily experiences include participating in the worst moments in the lives of strangers: police officers, nurses, firefighters, paramedics and social workers — people with long hours and weird schedules, endless paperwork and frustrated spouses, low wages and the occasional life-threatening situation. They tend to show up in my office in various presentations of burnout. Burnout is “a response to occupational stress characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, aloofness and reduced performance capacity among workers.” It can be expressed psychologically in symptoms like depression, overuse of numbing behaviors and withdrawal from relationships, but it is rooted in the nervous system, and often shows as fatigue, disinterest or a suppressed immune system. In advanced stages, it compromises a person’s ability to perform their job, attend to their relationships and literally feel happy. Burnout is not uncommon. Recent data estimates that it affects up to a third of healthcare workers and results in at least $500 billion in lost revenue to the U.S. economy. That’s between $4,000 and $20,000 in lost productivity per worker, according to a 2025 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. It’s fair to rank burnout among the biggest occupational hazards of the helping professions. The factors that precipitate burnout tend to be complex and the result of cumulative stress at both an individual and organizational level. Individuals with pre-existing mental or physical health concerns, trauma histories and stressors outside of work, such as parenting, are more likely to experience burnout symptoms. Organizations that rely on shift work, offer limited financial compensation, or where employees are faced with moral injury or a diminished sense of control have seen much higher rates of burnout. Perhaps this is starting to sound familiar? This article sprang a friendship with a mortician who let me into her world as a deathcare worker and even shared some research on the toll that this job can take. These studies confirmed my hunch that deathcare workers are challenged with the same stressors as other first responders. For example, the rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are three times higher in funeral directors than the general population. Striking to me was that many funeral directors, much like police officers, report an element of stigma to their jobs that can represent a barrier to care. And, as you might guess, stigma is a risk factor for burnout. So how should funeral directors think about burnout? Because the factors associated with burnout are unique to each individual experience, a wide range of interventions may be appropriate. That said, I get a lot of mileage from the work of Andrew Laue, another Montana-based clinician and creator of the STAR-T resiliency model, who points out that resilience in the face of chronic stress is predicted by awareness and connection. This means that when you really boil it down, the most resilient individuals are those with the habit of noticing their emotional and physiological state (us therapists like to call this emotional intelligence) and connecting with other humans (and animals) in ways that help regulate their nervous systems. Likewise, the most resilient organizations tend to have teams that are mutually supportive and responsive to the needs and abilities of the individual workers. DIRECTORS DIGEST | 17
Awareness means a team-wide acknowledgment that there is an emotional toll on the worker who takes a child’s body from their parent’s arms at 3 a.m. on a Sunday, just as there is an emotional toll involved in compassionately serving a high-conflict family who is struggling to pay their loved one’s funeral costs. It means noticing when your co-worker stops cracking jokes and starts falling behind on their paperwork. Awareness is paying attention to your own increasing irritability, numbing behaviors and strain in your interpersonal relationships and responding to these needs with the same diligence that you apply to your other professional duties. Ideally, awareness includes a reflective process such as therapy, spiritual practice or maybe even just periodically testing yourself with a burnout screener like the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) or the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Connection is the action stage, and it takes energy, skill and strategy. It can be as simple as acknowledging a co-worker’s efforts on a particularly grueling case around the coffee maker, or as elaborate as a company-wide Christmas party. It means getting to know the human beings behind the teammates and making sure that you’ve got enough left in the tank to care for the families in your waiting room to a standard that you can be proud of. Crucially, connection is about making sure that the people around you know that you have their back. Notably, it’s something that often must be built into the culture deliberately, especially in working environments with unusual hours and stressors. Often, people come into my care when the stress has turned to burnout, and the burnout has turned to a crisis. Awareness has been blunted, the supportive connections have been frayed, and recovery is long and laborious. But the biggest catalyst of both resilience and change is the environment, and honestly, it’s frustrating as a therapist to be attending to helpers on the front line in isolation. So I’ve looked for ways to intervene upstream of a crisis. At my group practice, Redtail Mental Health, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to offer preventative strategies as well as ongoing mental health support. The program is tailored to each individual business but generally consists of conducting a needs assessment to learn about the unique qualities of the organization, staff training on managing secondary trauma and cultivating resilience, and ongoing availability to support the entire organization in times of crisis, in addition to prompt access to skillful outpatient psychotherapy. This model is well proven, and the Department of Labor notes that EAP models save employers between $5 and $16 per dollar invested by increasing retention and decreasing absenteeism. Every Choice Matters – Choose Federated® DriveSAFESM Federated DriveSAFESM Telematics can help your employees improve their daily driving habits. This combination of mobile app, in-vehicle tag, and online portal allows you to measure, rank, and provide feedback on employee driving behaviors so you can help them become safer drivers. Scan to learn more about Federated DriveSAFESM Telematics and how you can help your employee drivers stay safe behind the wheel. Federated Mutual Insurance Company and its subsidiaries* federatedinsurance.com | *Not licensed in all states. 25.08 Ed. 2/26 © 2026 Federated Mutual Insurance Company The content of this publication is for general information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or an offer of insurance. Coverage will be determined solely by the terms of your policy, if approved for issue. Consult with a qualified professional to discuss questions specific to your circumstances. Helping Your Employees Stay Safe Behind The Wheel Of course, Redtail also offers individual psychotherapy via Zoom to the entire state of Montana, regardless of EAP participation. We accept all major third-party insurances, and scheduling takes just a few clicks on our website at redtailmentalhealth.com. We’re familiar with grief, trauma, family therapy and crisis counseling as well as burnout, and we collaborate closely with resources local to our clients to ensure that participants receive comprehensive care. Thank you for your difficult and important work and the time you’ve taken to consider this occupational hazard. I’ll look forward to our eventual collaboration, in your office or mine. In his work as a therapist, Sam takes a person-centered approach toward helping his clients manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, addiction, personality disorders, neurodiversity, grief and trauma. He specializes in providing EMDR therapy, a modality that focuses on reprocessing and addressing symptoms related to traumatic experiences. In addition to maintaining a private practice in Missoula and Polson, Sam teaches in the social work department at the University of Montana and is an EMDRIA-approved EMDR consultant. In his personal life, Sam is a musician, a handyman and a father to two young children. He seizes every opportunity to play guitar and get out of cell service. He can be reached at sam@redtailmh.com or (406) 241-1693. 18 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
Montana Board of Funeral Service Update By Jim Axelson, Chair, Montana State Board of Funeral Service The Board of Funeral Service held its third quarterly meeting on July 14 in Helena with all members and appropriate department staff in attendance. No public comment was received regarding the scheduled agenda items. State Policy Analyst Erin Sullivan provided the board with an update on her work on Title 37, Chapter 19. After a lengthy presentation and discussion, the board instructed Ms. Sullivan to proceed with the proposed legislative changes, including the practices and procedures governing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction. Department representative William Coggins provided the board with an update on the state’s apprenticeship program. The state is currently working on a hybrid of the program that would encompass not only apprenticeship skills but also time enrolled in the apprenticeship program. Mr. Coggins is currently working with Glen Disque of the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program to refine best practices for accomplishing this in the most beneficial manner. Licensing Bureau Chief Kevin Bragg reported to the board that the training sessions that he conducted with Commissioner Sarah Swanson throughout the state had gone extremely well. He was not aware of any particular licensing issues that had come to his attention as concerns the board. He did mention that there have been discussions at various levels about sunsetting or consolidating some boards within the state. Given recent instances of malpractice and criminal activity by funeral service practitioners in other states, he doubted the sunset issue would be a concern for our board. Agency Counsel Aleea Sharp provided the board with an overview of SB 305, which would demand compliance with prudent investor rules. Trust funds held within the state are currently audited, but there appears to be a gap between their being held and the exact way they are being funded. The bill would seek to close that gap. Executive Officer Susie Osborne provided an overview of the board’s finances, current licenses held in the state, training and seminars, and legislative information. The board’s ability to allow abatement of licensing fees will continue to be reviewed annually. At this time, the abatement process has not had a detrimental impact on the board’s finances. The board was sorry to learn that the crematory representative, Mr. Ralph Mihlfeld, had decided not to seek reappointment. Ralph has been instrumental in the board’s work, and we are all deeply grateful for his time and his expertise. The board presented him with a plaque and our best wishes for the future. As one door closes, another opens, and we are very excited that the Governor’s Office has appointed Mr. Lee Darlington of Darlington Cremation and Burial Service as the crematory operator representative to the board. He joins Lisa Sokoloski as the newest member of the board. The next full board meeting will be held in Helena on Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. at the board office at 301 S. Park Ave. As always, please feel free to contact Executive Officer Susie Osborne at (406) 841-2359 or me at (406) 490-4264 with any questions or concerns. Your comments are always welcome. DIRECTORS DIGEST | 19
IN LOVING MEMORY Marjorie Karen (Smith) Boyce, 89, of Winifred, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026. She was born on Aug. 5, 1936, in Lewistown, Montana, to Ervin and Hilger Smith. From a very young age, she developed a deep love for horses and spent her early years on horseback, helping gather and move bucking horses — an experience that shaped her lifelong passion for ranch life. Following her graduation from high school, she attended business college for one year before returning home. On May 18, 1958, she married the love of her life, Merle J. Boyce, and together they built a life along the Judith River, where they farmed and ranched. Their partnership was rooted in hard work, resilience, a shared love of the land and the sport of rodeo. Known for her independence and strong conservative spirit, she remained active and engaged in her community throughout her life. She enjoyed a good story and was often Marjorie Karen (Smith) Boyce Aug. 5, 1936-April 29, 2026 heard saying, “I’m not nosy; I’m just interested.” Margie loved music and was a talented piano and accordion player. She enjoyed pool league for many years and was driving her teammates to Lewistown at 89! She could often be seen making her daily trips around town in her red Chevy pickup, a routine she thoroughly enjoyed. She was also a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Senior Pool League and Holy Family Catholic Church. Above all, she will be remembered for her love of family and her many friends, her witty sayings, her horses, her pool teams and her enduring strength. She is survived by her sons, Cleo (Mary D), Dan (Laura) and Gary (Marietta); nine grandchildren, Robin (Neil Kolve), Kallie (Dustin Probert), Brooke (Coulter Gruel), Casey (Emily), Jessie (Damon Heble), Clay, Brietta, Dyauni and Shad; nine great-grandchildren, Cooper, Jayce, Presley, Pryar, McCoy, Navi, Ridge, Rhett and Tyce, with one great-grandchild on the way; her sisters Betty Wherley and Judee (Ron) Heggem; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; her brother, Vernon; and her brother-in-law, Dennis. Funeral services were held at the Winifred School in Winifred, Montana. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Winifred Ambulance, Winifred Rural Fire Department or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com. 20 | MONTANA FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
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