May 5-11, 2013 is being honored as Funeral Service Professionals Week!

Funeral Service Professionals Week – PRESS RELEASE

Governor’s Honorary Proclamation 2013

American Funeral Director Magazine is looking for nominees for their Funeral Director of the Year Award. This is open to all funeral professionals who were employed as a licensed funeral director for at least one year and encompasses all funeral director job titles, from embalmer to funeral home manager.

It would be great to have an NeFDA member be nominated! The deadline is July 31, 2013. For more information, please visit their website at http://katesboylston.com/awards

Change, Challenge, Opportunity – that is the theme for the 2013 Tri-State Convention. Nebraska is once again teaming up with Missouri and Kansas to provide members with an excellent program! Funeral directors can earn up to 17 hours of continuing education credits as well as meet up with colleagues, network with vendors in a large exhibit hall and enjoy fun outings in Kansas City.

Register now to avoid paying a late fee. View the Tri State Registration Brochure for more information.

We hope to see you in May!

Graham Cook to retire as CEO in February 2014

West Des Moines, IA — Homesteaders Chairman President Graham J. Cook announced today that preparations are underway for his transition from day‐to‐day management of the company. “As part of the succession plan approved by our Board of Directors, Steve Lang will become our company’s ninth president following the annual Board meeting in February 2014,” said Cook. “Steve and I have worked together to develop a management team that will ensure Homesteaders maintains its market leadership position and will remain on its trajectory of profitable growth.” Lang was also elected to his first term as a member of the Homesteaders board. Cook, who will remain on the Board serving as Chairman through 2014, joined the company as a part‐time employee in 1966, while attending college. He has worked in some capacity in nearly every functional area at Homesteaders. A respected and influential pre‐need industry executive, Lang was CEO of Forethought Financial Services until 2006, shortly after its parent sold the company. He was attracted to Homesteaders because he respected Cook and the many accomplishments under his leadership. “Graham has established a strong culture and work ethic here at Homesteaders, a firm commitment to customer success, and I am convinced we are the best choice for funeral homes in terms of solutions, superior service and long‐term security,” he said. Lang joined Homesteaders as Executive Vice President responsible for sales, marketing and customer service in 2008, and was named Homesteaders’ chief operating officer in March 2010. Lang and Cook have worked to refine and focus the company’s mission and strategy. “As a result of this collaboration,” Lang says, “I am firmly committed to our direction and expect a continuity of purpose.” (more…)

May 5-8, 2013, funeral directors from across the Midwest will meet in Overland Park to take advantage of leading-edge educational programming and an exhibit hall offering tools, ideas and products applicable to your everyday work life.

Register now! Tri State Registration Brochure

Make your hotel reservations now! Go to https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/TriStateFuneralDirectors

Make plans to attend! See below for a list of our key-note speakers.

2013 Tri-State Convention Speakers

After the tragic events that occurred at the Sandy Hook Elementary school last month, a memorial fund was set up to  offer some sense of support to those 26 grieving families and let them know that we as an association are sharing their sorrow.  NeFDA Members were given the opportunity to contribute, allowing them to help make a difference.  Through everyone’s generosity, we have raised just over $4,000!  We continue to grieve for these families and can only hope and pray that we will never be personally involved in such a horrific event.

Don’t forget to pay for your 2013 Music License. NeFDA members are eligible for the NFDA rate of $235, even if you are not a member of the National association. For details, please visit http://www.nfda.org/about-nfda-/membership-information/676-music-license-program.html

It seems like everyone is on Facebook these days and we thought NeFDA should be on there as well! Feel free to “Like” us on Facebook by searching for Nebraska Funeral Directors Association. Keep up-to-date with the latest news, events and photos and feel free to add a comment.

Annual Iowa – Nebraska – South Dakota Tri-State Golf Tournament

The Tri-State Funeral Directors Golf Tournament was held Wednesday, September 12th at Whispering Creek Golf Course in Sioux City, IA. 83 golfers participated in the tournament. The weather was cold and rainy, with the rain starting on the first hole. Play stopped after 9 holes due to the heavy rain. The winner was calculated based off Quota points after 9 holes. A total of $18,000 in prizes were awarded, ranging in value from $425 to $100. Two people tied for the championship. The winners were John Harrington, from Funeral Director’s Life Insurance Company, and Tom Frisch, from Got Funeral? LLC. Tom was determined the champion based off a tiebreaker. A special thank you to all the sponsors for making this tournament possible. (more…)

DHHS Announcement from Nebraska Vital Records

The passage of LB1042 created a new law that grants certified nurse practitioners the authority to sign death certificates. Nurse practitioners may start completing and signing death certificates on or after July 19, 2012.

Since this is a change in state statute, it also required a change to box 27 on the death certificate. As of July 19, 2012, box 27’s new language will be Name, Title and Address of Certifier (Type or Print). This allows for the possibility of future changes in who can sign the death certificate without requiring further modifications.

If you are interested in using the electronic death registration system or using the new FAX ATTESTATION process for medical certifiers, please contact the Vital Records Office at (402) 471-0919 or email jackie.fairbanks@nebraska.gov.