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 Advisory Committee
Minnesota Department of Health
December 9, 2014
Attending:
Mike Dahl, MFDA
Roger Bengtson, MFDA
Joe Sellwood, MFDA Lobbyist
Marguerite Slonine, Mortuary Science
Morrie Nilson, MFDA
Gil Acevedo, Mortuary Science
Cory Michaelson, MFDA
Mike Mathews, U of MErika Fulgern, Erika
Fulgern, Mortuary Science
Molly Crawford, Vital Records Office
Heather Halen, Public Member
Carlena Weiland, Mortuary Science
Michael LuBrant, U of M
Sue Nasinec and Husband, FH owners
Kathryn Danielson, Mortuary Science
The meeting was called to order at 1:00.
Introductions were made. This meeting was an opportunity for Molly Crawford, State
Registrar, to meet members of the funeral industry. The Vital Records Office and the
Mortuary Science Section are working together on death registration issues and discussing
stake holders that would be involved. There are 37 full time employees in the Vital Records
Office. Most Death Records are issued at the County level. Amendments to the Death Records
are done through the Minnesota Department of Health. Molly shared with us that data sent to
the National Center for Disease Control reports that Minnesota records are excellent. 75% of
physicians are filing Death Certificates on-line using the MR&C System. The Vital Records Office
sends a newsletter to MR&C users.
Questions/issues for the State Registrar:
Cory Michaelson - Regarding amendments to the Death Certificates: The cost of making a
correction to the Death Certificate is being passed on to the funeral homes regardless of who
makes the mistake.
Morrie Nilsen - The Veterans Office is filing Death Certificates with missing information and
then the funeral home gets charged for the corrected copies.
Follow up with the physician is not possible without the contact information from the
Vital Records Office. Could there be a meeting with the Vital Records Office to discuss the
concerns regarding the Death Certificate filing?
AD-HOC MEETING MINUTES
Legislation - Gil provided an overview of the Mortuary Science legislative proposals.
Review of Survey Results - A paper copy of the survey was handed out at the meeting.
An electronic copy will be sent to all members with the minutes. Gil went through the survey
questions and the responses received.
Waste Disposal- several funeral homes have been found to be improperly disposing of waste.
Proper ways to dispose of waste: it may be transported if properly done. The Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regulations regarding transportation, storage and proper
packaging must be followed.
There was a request for an article regarding this topic to be written for publication in the
MFDA Bulletin. Carlena stated that she would be willing to write an article.
Question - Is a contract required to transport waste to a disposer? The generator of the waste
may transport the waste to the waste disposer that has been contracted with to take the
waste.
Question - Are SHARPS looked at during the establishment inspection? Not at this time.
It was suggested that it be added to the inspection criteria.
Cremation of individual body parts - What happens when a person requests cremation of limbs
or other body parts prior to death? The current statute only refers to "deceased persons".
Under the current laws, it would not be possible to honor the individual's request.
Pre-Need to At-Need- Consumers are not understanding that pre-paying does not mean that
there will be no charges at the time of services. Pre-paying doesn't always cover all of the final
expenses. The family views it as being paid in full. There is no guarantee that there will be no
expense to the family. Most funeral homes are no longer guaranteeing pre-need pricing which
generally means the family will almost always incur additional fees at the time of at-need.
Comment - Work with DHS, Commerce and County Agencies to educate families about prepaid
expenses.
Comment - Insurance writers are not using proper pricing to sell to the consumer which is
causing problems for the funeral homes.
Michael LuBrant recommended that Mortuary Science staff attend training on Pre-Need.
Suggested looking into training through NFDA or CANA.
Crematory Operators - Should specialized training and/or certification be required for
crematory operators? Mortuary Science will be pursuing the requirement for
training/certification for crematory operators.
AD-HOC MEETING MINUTES
Additional Discussion
After the first of the year Mortuary Science will be publishing disciplines. A letter will go out to
licensees to explain what will be posted on the website.
Mike Dahl asked ifthere will be fee increases for licensure. Fee increases are being requested by
Mortuary Science.
Michael LuBrant asked if a student can start an internship prior to passing the National
Board Exam (NBE). If a student does not pass the NBE, he or she must wait 3 months to retake
the exam. Currently, the statute reads that the NBE and the State Exam must be passed prior to
the start of an Internship.
Mike Mathews asked if "licensure by reciprocity" could be removed and that the use of
"licensure by endorsement" be used instead. ·This would require a statute change and will not
be addressed this legislative session.
Meeting adjourned.