MORTUARY SCIENCE PROGRAM
P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
Telephone: 651-201-3829
Email: health.mortsci@state.mn.us
Mortuary Science Ad-Hoc Meeting Agenda
October 29, 2015
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
St. Paul Public Library – Riverview Location
1 East George Street, St. Paul, MN 55107
In Attendance:
Present Members
Present Members
MDH Staff
Absent Members
Alexa Goetsch
Michael LuBrant
Anne Kukowski
Mark Arnold
Robert Ryan
Mike Carroll
Laurie Studer
Mark Ballard
Jody Bystrom
Carlena Weiland
Tim Hoff
Peter Lind
Erika Fulgern
Joe Sellwood
Marguerite Slonine
Agenda:
1. Convene and Introductions
2. Announcements
A. Purpose of Ad Hoc Meetings
To bring MDH’s concerns to industry representatives and receive their input.
To learn about practitioners’ concerns about the industry and its regulation.
To work with industry to develop strategies to help regulation evolve with as the
industry responds to changes in society. To open communications between
practitioners and MDH.
3. Overview of Last Year’s Topics
A. Legislation Changes
Regulatory state exam-must wait 2 weeks to re-take, fee increase, 2080 intern hours
are now required, CEU’s 15 required every 2 years, and Pre-need audits.
B. Right to control concerns
To obtain this information in a different format, call 651-201-3731.
Printed on recycled paper.
www.health.state.mn.us
MORT SCI AD-HOC MEETING MINUTES
C. Level of licensing
4. Request for Topics
Write down ideas for topics and leave at the end of meeting.
5. Staff Updates
None.
6. Current Topics
A. Industry Phone Numbers/Statutes
Request for Ad Hoc contact information and previous meeting minutes
B. Levels of Licensing
Embalmers License or Funeral Director License vs. Morticians License
Funeral director only license? Only about 20 states have both. There are now more
home deaths which can be more involved. How has the role evolved, embalming
with or without cremation? Committee sees how this possibly may be more
beneficial in rural areas. Michael LuBrant – can provide data next year on polls to
see the need and trends. Survey practitioners, most common tasks performed,
importance of tasks. Where are the gaps?
Even though cremation rates are climbing, still some level of preparation is needed.
Both NFDA and CANA crematory certifications are both open book exams which can
be taken at home. (Anyone could take the test).
Many levels to consider. What skills are needed? Michael LuBrant stated the U of M
could easily put together a program.
Nursing home personnel are helping with removals. Some facilities may release
human remains to non-licensed individuals. If facilities chose to do so, MN 149A
supports the facilities decision.
Put in parking lot. Come back to.
C. Removal of Certificates After Initial Removal
Question: Should a certificate of removal be required to transfer from the funeral
home to a different location example: funeral home to crematory to cemetery,
etc.? Initial cert of removal – states you have custody of human remains form the
place of death. If the funeral home then subcontracts to a crematory, who is liable?
Purpose of the form b is to provide a chain of custody, to track where the human
remains are/have been and personal property as well. Most licensees fill out form
when transferring from one funeral home to another. However, in most cases if
human remains are then transferred to crematory after initial removal, certificate of
removals are not being completed.
2
MORT SCI AD-HOC MEETING MINUTES
2. MDH is not enforcing this law; should MDH push to enforce this area of statute
or will it be too time consuming and difficult to regulate?
MDH will continue discussion.
MDH may attempt to bring to legislature.
D. Relinquishment Forms
Right to control. Funeral homes are not sure what to do in some circumstances.
Example: Divorced parents have equal rights (unless there is a legal form stating
otherwise), when a child dies. Father says he gives up rights to his adult daughter,
but nothing in writing, only verbal. Mother and daughter went to funeral home to
make arrangements. Father upset because he wanted to make changes and states
that he does not agree with the arrangements that have been made, but gave up
rights.
Would it help to have a form on our website funeral homes could use to put their
own logo on?
Everyone agreed, yes.
Michael LuBrant brought up Honoring Choices – helps with setting up advance
directive. This is a good preventive if we can get people to utilize it.
Working for 2017 legislature
E. Adjourn at 2:41 PM.
Next Meeting:
December 15, 2015
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Ramsey County Library – Roseville Location
2180 North Hamline, Roseville, MN 55113
3