MFDA Journal - Mississippi Funeral Directors Association

MFDA Journal
M i s s i s s i p p i
Funeral
Directors
2012 – 2013
Chancellor Funeral Home
Florence, MS
President-Elect
Beth Rosson
Waller Funeral Home
Oxford, MS
First Vice President
Ladd Pulliam
Jones and Son Funeral Home
Richton, MS
Second Vice President
Greg Pegues
W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors
Tupelo, MS
Secretary-Treasurer
Kippy Lang
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes
Gulfport, MS
Past President
David Ainsworth
Memory Chapel
Laurel, MS
Northern District Governors
Sammy Reed
Lee Memorial Funeral Home
Verona, MS
Kenneth Williams
Cleveland Funeral Home
Cleveland, MS
Central District Governors
Sandra Chancellor
Chancellor Funeral Home
Byram, MS
Larry Massey
Nowell-Massey Funeral Home
Louisville, MS
Southern District Governors
Joe Hutchins
Saulters-Moore Funeral Homes, Inc.
Prentiss, MS
Jeff Riemann
Riemann Funeral Home
Gulfport, MS
NFDA Policy Board Representative
A. Wendell Stringer
A Message from the MFDA President
By Bill Chancellor
Let me begin by thanking Beth and our
Education Committee, Jean and the staff of
Affinity Resource Group, our sales club and
sponsors, and may others for making our MidWinter Seminar a great time of learning,
fellowship, and fun. This seminar proved to be
one of the most informative meetings I have
ever attended. Our speaker Jack Adams from
Dodge Chemical was exceptional.
The
students attending from Holmes and Gulf Coast
Community College of Funeral Service, as well as seasoned
professionals walked away with knowledge and resources that may
not be seen or experienced in a life time. Vicksburg was also a great
experience in history, food and fellowship as we came together.
Our Mid-winter business meeting was extremely important and
addressed issues I don’t remember our association facing. By-Laws
changes were voted on allowing us to fill two open board member
positions. I thank Keith Brown and Willie Reed who served previously on
the board and welcome Greg Pegues as Second Vice President and
Kippy Lang as Secretary/Treasurer. These two bring knowledge and
stability with their election by our membership. I also welcome Jeff
Riemann to fill Kippy’s seat as Southern District Governor. I know these
men will be a tremendous asset as they serve our association.
Let me thank Ladd Pulliam and our Legislative Committee who have
actively been monitoring Legislative activity. Already their calls and
contacts have been instrumental in stopping unfavorable legislation
introduced this session.
As you can see there are always important issues and events going on
in our profession. Make plans now to attend our Annual Convention,
June 2-5 at the Embassy Suites in Jackson. Dates are now being set for
May District Meetings statewide where District Governors will be
nominated for the upcoming year and MFDA needs your
participation. It’s the insight and experience of our membership that
keeps us strong and without everyone’s participation we fall short.
Come and take your place and rekindle old friendships as we work
together to strengthen our efforts.
Sincerely,
Stringer Family Funeral Services
Crystal Springs, MS
Editor
Jean A. Weiss
MFDA Account Executive
The Caring Professionals
MFDA Board of Directors
President
Bill Chancellor
Association
Spring 2013
Issue 1
Bill Chancellor, CFSP
MFDA Mid-Winter Educational Seminar
On January
27th and 28th, MFDA held a Mid-Winter Educational Seminar at the RiverWalk Hotel in Vicksburg. We had a
great turnout of funeral directors and suppliers as well as over 47 students from Holmes Community College and
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
who enjoyed two days of networking and an excellent educational seminar.
Attendees were treated to a most informative 4-hour presentation by Jack Adams, one of the world’s foremost
embalming authorities. Mr. Adams brought numerous slides to illustrate his impressive techniques and procedures.
Greg Merchant with the Mississippi Mortuary Response Team and President of the MS Coroner’s Association spoke about
the Team’s efforts and progress in keeping MMRT up and running and organized and ready to respond when called
upon. We all appreciate the efforts of MMRT and feel confident in their ability to provide services if needed.
The Manager of Family Services for the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, Brook Williams, spoke to the group about her
role in after care services to donor families. She was joined by Annie Lucious from MORA to amswer questions from
funeral directors about procedures involved organ donation and procurement and the funeral director and embalmer’s
roles caring for the donor’s body.
On Sunday night before the Seminar we had an absolutely delicious cocktail reception and dinner at Anchuca Mansion
and Inn in downtown Vicksburg. After dinner the owner and chef, Chris Brinkley showed a short video about the history
of the mansion and allowed everyone to tour the beautiful home. Chris answered questions and shared with the group
the personal background and history of the home and furnishings.
By far the best thing about the seminar was the attendance and the wonderful support by so many suppliers. We are so
grateful to all of you for sponsoring all the events. A special thanks to Jessica Estes and Dennis Beasley with the Sales
Club for helping with the all the plans for the seminar and helping organize sponsorships.
See event photos on following pages.
Photos from MFDA’s Mid-Winter Seminar
Dinner at Anchuca Historic
Mansion & Inn
More Photos from MFDA’s Mid-Winter Seminar
Left: Internationally-recognized mortician, Jack Adams speaks to
MFDA Mid-Winter attendees.
Left: Brook Williams, Manager of Family Services for the Mississippi
Organ Recovery Agency.
Above: Greg Merchant with the Mississippi Mortuary Response Team
and President of the MS Coroner’s Association
www.jsmorticianservices.com
The Dodge Company
Forty-seven students and faculty from Mississippi Gulf
Coast Community College and the Holmes
Community College attended the Mid-Winter
Seminar in Vicksburg. In support of its educational
mission, the MFDA Foundation generously sponsored
their registration and lunch.
Mississippi Legislative Update
The legislative session has now ended, but it appears there will be a special session called by Governor
Bryant over
the summer to address Medicaid funding. The session got off to a rather brisk start this year.
The two main bills that raised concern with MFDA were HB 1391 and HB 1425. It was the feeling of the MFDA
board along with the State Board of Funeral Service that these bills would both have undermined the
professionalism of funeral service in the state. HB1391 was a bill introduced into the Public Health and Human
Services Committee that would have “grand fathered” a select few people into a funeral directors license
in Mississippi, and after polling the membership, the board felt it was in our associations best interest that we
fight against this bill.
We have worked fiercely over the past years to bring the level of professionalism upward and it was our fear
that by just giving out license to people without requiring a test or apprenticeship would undermine all the
work we have put in. HB 1425 was also introduced into the Public Health and Human Services Committee
and would have allowed for licensed embalmer from surrounding states to freely come into Mississippi and
embalm without having a license or apprenticeship in this state, as long as other states recognized
Mississippi's license. However, no other state in the southeast will recognize a Mississippi license unless the
licensee first takes that states Laws and Practices Test. Therefore, it was also the feeling of the MFDA board
and the State Board that this bill would also undermine the credibility of funeral service and take away some
of the policing powers of the state board.
These were the only two major bills effecting funeral service that were introduced. Please know that we
watch daily during Session for new measures that might appear as amendments or attachments to bills that
did make it out of the committees. If you have any questions or know of anything in the legislature that you
feel we should be aware of, please give me or any member of the board a call. Thank you for what you
have and are continuing to do to make funeral service great!
Ladd Pulliam, Legislative Committee Chair
UPDATE on the MFDA PRENEED FUNERAL TRUST
Your MFDA Services Board felt that this
In terms of our results so far since May of 2010, the trust has
would be
a great time to convey to our
membership some of the progress that our grown at an annualized rate of return of 8.20% per year. In
Preneed trust has been experiencing in
fact in calendar 2012, the trust assets were +13.25%. terms of its investment results.
During the first quarter of 2010 we
transitioned the trust assets from our previous investment advisor to UBS Financial Services. Our consultants
are Dave Higgins and Bill Pahl, two of the seven partners in The 770 Group of UBS. Bill & Dave hail from
Atlanta but many of you have met them at our Mid-winter meetings and at the last year’s convention.
The 770 Group team members have on average in excess of 22 years in the investment management
business and manage over $1 billion for families, corporate retirement plans and various institutional
accounts, including preneed funeral trusts! They view themselves as our objective, independent consultants
and have helped us to modify our investment policy, fine tune our asset allocation to meet that policy and
select third party mutual fund managers that are not managed by UBS.
We consider our asset mix of roughly 55% in stocks, 38% in bonds and the rest in cash equivalents, to be fairly
moderate in its approach to risk. With yields on fixed income instruments at historically low level, we realize
that we must have some exposure to more growth oriented assets. Currently the trust is diversified into
fourteen distinctly different mutual funds and they are monitored by 770 for us. In fact your board receives
monthly performance reports on the trust on a very timely basis.
In terms of our results so far since May of 2010, the trust has grown at an annualized rate of return of 8.20%
per year. In fact in calendar 2012, the trust assets were +13.25%. 770 helped us create an index-based
benchmark so that we could compare our own
progress to this on an "apples to apples" basis.
As reported in Vicksburg, we are ahead of this
benchmark since inception and for 2012.
The markets have gotten off to a good start in
2013 and we are pleased to report that as of
the end of January of 2013, the trust is +2.79%.
The 770 Group reminds us that they remain
cautious on the markets and the economy.
Several of our fund managers are rather
contrarian and focus on downside protection in
difficult markets.
We feel that the trust is making good progress.
Our administrator, Paul VonSchoeler of
Administrative Services, Inc. reports that we are
making good headway in reducing the deficit
in the trust. Our process is sound, transparent
and our advisors responsive.
If you are not active in the trust, we encourage
you to consider taking another look at it again
for your preneed business. Our advisors are
always happy to answer questions you may
have about our investment approach or
administrative process.
Convention
Registration
Mississippi Funeral Directors Association
MFDA Convention
June 2 – 5, 2013
Embassy Suites
Ridgeland, Mississippi
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel Embassy Suites 200 Township Place, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Reservations Call 601‐607‐7112 to reserve your room. Use Group Code: CES FD6 for special rate. Room Rate $129 + local/state tax; Rates good 3 days before/after the event based on availability. Reservation Deadline: Sunday, May 26, 2013 Reservations made after May 26th are not guaranteed the $129+ room rate; rooms are subject to availability and best available rate at the time. Amenities Two‐Room Suites with Wet Bar, Fridge & Microwave • Complimentary Breakfast, Buffet & Omelets • Complimentary Evening Cocktails & Appetizer Reception • Complimentary Internet • Fitness Center • Large Indoor Pool and Spa CONVENTION SPONSORS*
*as of 4/10/13
Platinum Level
Unity Financial Life Insurance Gold Level
Heritage Memorial Funding Silver Level
Aurora Casket Company SFLIC – Superior Funeral & Life Insurance Company Bronze Level
Allied Funeral Associates Insurance Batesville Casket Co. Vantage Products Corp. 2013 MFDA Convention Schedule
Registration badges must be worn at all on‐site events; Tickets will be taken at all ticketed events. Sunday, June 2, 2013 Noon – 4:00 pm Exhibitor Move‐in & Set‐up Township ABC 10:00 am – 11:30 am MFDA Services Inc. Board Meeting Colony Boardroom 11:30 am – 12:30 pm MFDA Services & MFDA Board of Directors Meeting Colony Boardroom 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm MFDA Board of Directors Meeting Colony Boardroom 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm MFDA Foundation Board of Directors Colony Boardroom 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm Registration Open Opening Reception in Exhibit Hall Open Cash Bar & Hors d’oeuvres Pre‐function Township ABC Monday, June 3, 2013 8:30 am – 10:00 am Registration Open Pre‐function 8:00 am – 9:00 am Sales Club Meeting TBA 9:00 am – 11:30 am Exhibit Hall Open Drawings & Giveaways – organized by Sales Club Township ABC 11:30 am Exhibitor Move‐out OFFSITE EVENTS – Separate Ticketed Events ** More information coming regarding golf.
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Ladies’ Luncheon featuring TV personality and author, Barbie Bassett – sponsored by Aurora Casket Company Anjou Restaurant 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Easely Amused – creative painting Easely Amused 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Dinner at The Islander – sponsored by Heritage Memorial Funding Islander Seafood & Oyster House Tuesday, June 4, 2013 8:00 am ‐ 9:00 am Past President’s Breakfast – sponsored by Allied Funeral Associates Insurance Township A 9:00 am – 10:30 am General Membership Meeting Township C 10:30 am – 10:45 am Break 10:45 am – 11:45 am Educational Presentation: Social Media for Funeral Homes Township C – sponsored by SFLIC – Superior Funeral & Life Insurance Company 11:45 am – Noon Noon – 1:30 pm Speaker – Bob Arrington, NFDA Board Secretary Township C Membership Luncheon Township A&B Speaker: Marshall Ramsey – Author, Political & Social Cartoonist for the Clarion‐Ledger, and Cancer Survivor 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Service of Remembrance – sponsored by Batesville Casket Co. Township C 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm President’s Reception Pre‐function 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Installation Banquet & Entertainment by Hunter Gibson & The Gators
Township B&C Ladies’ Luncheon
Sandra Chancellor, of Chancellor Funeral Home, is hosting a special luncheon in honor of the women attending the MFDA Convention. Dinner & Fun at the
Islander Seafood & Oyster House
**Optional off‐site event not included in convention registration. Reserve early, seating is limited. Join us for a casual evening of food, fun, socializing, and a chance to win some cool door prizes! Socialize with old friends and meet new ones! Dress is summer casual. Monday, June 3, 2013 Monday, June 3, 2013 6:30 pm Seafood Buffet & Cash Bar 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Anjou Restaurant 361 Township Avenue Ridgeland, MS Appetizers, Salad, Jumbo Shrimp, Oysters on the Half Shell, Chicken, Etouffee, Soft Drinks & Tea Tickets: $40 per person Islander Seafood & Oyster House Lunch will include: 1220 E. Northside Dr., Ste. 100 (Maywood Mart) Jackson, Mississippi Choice of: Anjou salad or French onion soup **This is an optional off‐site event not included in convention registration. Menu subject to modification. Choice of: Beef Bourguignon Tilapia Amandine Sautéed Chicken Breast Croque Monsieur Spinach & Chicken Salad ASSORTED DESSERT PLATE Citrus cheesecake and chocolate tart Tickets: $60 per person ($70 per person after May 28) $30 per child under the age of 12 **Menu subject to modification. Let’s Get Creative!
Let your creative side run wild at this special off‐site event at Easely Amused. An instructor will guide you step by step in painting your very own masterpiece! Join us for an afternoon of fun and whimsy in this unique hands‐on creative painting experience. No artistic ability required! Bring home your very own masterpiece. All painting supplies included: 16 x 20” canvases, paint, brushes, aprons, etc. Beverages, wine and fun will be served! Easely Amused ‐ Off‐site event. Separate ticket required. Date: Monday, June 3, 2013 Time: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Cost: $30 per person Seating is limited and is first‐come, first‐served. 7048 Old Canton Road Suite 1002 Ridgeland, MS 2013 MFDA Annual Convention
FUNERAL HOME ATTENDEE & GUEST REGISTRATION
COMPANY CONTACT INFORMATION LIST ALL REGISTRANTS (check box if child under age 12) _____________________________________
1._________________________________ Contact Name _____________________________________ Company _____________________________________ 2.____________________________  child Address 3.____________________________  child _____________________________________ City _____________________________________ State Zip Code _____________________________________ Phone 4.____________________________  child 5.____________________________  child Fax _____________________________________ Email FUNERAL HOME ATTENDEE & GUEST REGISTRATION FUNERAL HOME ATTENDEE & GUEST REGISTRATION:
*includes full admission to on‐site events including:  Sunday Expo Opening Reception  Monday Expo  Tuesday Member Meeting, Speakers & Luncheon  Tuesday President’s Reception & Banquet.  1
st
Member Full Registration @ $225 ea $_______ #____ Each Additional Full Registration @ $175 ea $_______ ADDITIONAL ON‐SITE GUEST TICKETS: #____Sunday Opening Reception @ $40 ea $_______  I am interested in playing golf. Please send me more information when it is available. Total Due $______________ No refunds for tickets or registrations after May 28th unless event cancelled.  Enclosed is my check payable to MFDA.  Faxing registration. Check is being mailed.  Please charge my credit card for $____________. Check one:  MC  Visa  AmEx  Discover Card Number ___________________________________ #____Children under 12 – Opening Reception @ $0 $_______ Exp. Date______________ Security Code ___________ #____Monday Expo Only @ $25 ea $_______ Print Name on Card______________________________ #____Tuesday Member Luncheon @ $55 ea $_______ Billing Address__________________________________ #____Tuesday Banquet @ $80 ea $_______ #____Children under 12 – Tuesday Banquet @ $40 ea $_______ OPTIONAL OFF‐SITE TICKETS City___________________________________________ State______________ Zip ______________________  Email invoice to____________________________ **Not included with full registration #____Monday Ladies’ Luncheon @ $40 ea $_______ MFDA
#____Monday Easely Amused Event @ $30 ea $_______ #____Monday Islander Dinner@ $60 ea $_______ 134 Fairmont Street, Suite B
Clinton, MS 39056
#____Children under 12 – Islander Dinner @ $30 ea $_______ phone 601.978.1920  fax 601.978.1950
email: info@mississippifuneraldirectors.com
www.mississippifuneraldirectors.com
Celebrating
50
Years
MFDA honors individuals who have been in the funeral profession for
50 years at the MFDA Annual Convention each year.
If you, or anyone you know, is eligible for this honor, please fill out the form below and fax, mail or
email to the MFDA Office no later than Monday, May 15, 2013.
The 2013 MFDA Convention will be held June 2-5 at the Embassy Suites in Ridgeland, MS.
Convention registration and information can be found at: www.mississippifuneraldirectors.com.
MFDA 50 YEAR HONOREE INFORMATION SHEET
Contact Person (if other than honoree) ___________________________________________________________
Contact Phone_________________________________
Honoree Name (as it should appear in print)
Contact Email____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Company Name (if still practicing) _______________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________ State ________________ Zip ________________________
Phone Number_________________________________ Email_____________________________________
Total Years Practicing Funeral Profession _________
Still Practicing
YES
NO
Date Retired__________________________________
PLEASE COMPLETE FORM AND RETURN TO MFDA no later than Monday, May 15, 2013.
MFDA
134 Fairmont Street, Suite B
Clinton, MS 39056
Phone: 601-978-1920
Fax: 601-978-1950
Email: jweiss@mississippifuneraldirectors.com
Website: www.mississippifuneraldirectors.com
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MFDA Convention
June 4, 2013
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Embassy Suites, Ridgeland, MS
Each year at the MFDA Convention, we hold a Service of Remembrance to honor those loved
ones that we have lost in the last year.
If you would like to have your loved one remembered during this special Service, please fill
out the form below and mail, fax, or email the information to us.
Contact Person
_____________________________________________________________
Contact Phone_______________________
Contact Email__________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________ State ____________ Zip ________________
Deceased’s Name (as it should appear in print)___________________________________________
Deceased’s Date of Birth________________
Deceased’s Date of Death________________
Deceased’s Occupation_______________________________________________________
Deceased’s Establishment Affiliation____________________________________________
 Photo is attached in email (jpg format)
 Photo is coming by mail
 No photo included
Form and photo must be received by May 15, 2013
MFDA
134 Fairmont Street, Suite B
Clinton, MS 39056
Phone: 601-978-1920
Fax: 601-978-1950
Email: jweiss@mississippifuneraldirectors.com
Website: www.mississippifuneraldirectors.com