July 2019

Page A26 JULY 2019 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A YOUWOULDN’TUSE OURLEAK-RESISTANT CREMATION TRAY AS A COOLER, BUT YOUCOULD. We test ours in the labsoyoudon’t have to test it in the real world. 1-800-992-1925 | CustomAirTrays.com www.ocularmelanoma.org Please Help us Support the Research and Treatment of Ocular Melanoma www.ampli.com 1-800-267-5486 In Memory of Nancy Roth,wife of Don Roth, CEO of AmpliVox. Nancy recently lost her battle with ocular melanoma. Please help fight this disease with a generous contribution to: www.etrf.org Thank You for your support. Call 651-450-7727 to request a wholesale catalog, Our Extra-Large Cremains Bags (13”x 15”) are perfectly sized for the Standard Plastic Human Service Urn. or visit UrnBags.com to order some bags. Just $2.90 each*. * Bags sold in multiples of 10 Choose from Black, Blue, or Burgundy Iowa FDA holds Successful Convention in May News Association The IFDA Past Presidents The 2019-2020 IFDA Officers and Board of Governors DES MOINES,IA— The 139th Annual Convention of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association was a tremen- dous success thanks to amazing speakers, great atten- dance, and sold out expo. On Monday, May 13, nearly 70 golfers teed off for the 15th Annual IFDA Golf Outing at Toad Valley Golf Course in Runnells. After enjoying a delicious lunch, the golfers had a gorgeous day to enjoy the golf course. For many, it was their first round of golf for the year. On Tuesday, a pre-convention seminar was offered. “Embalming 101: Let’s Get Back to the Basics,” was presented by Dana Goodell, who focused on making a good final memory for families. IFDA president Bill Armstrong called the convention to order following the pre-convention session and IFDA president-elect Charlie Yoder shared the video of the governor signing the proclamation for Iowa Funeral Di- rectors Week, being held May 12-18, 2019. The Iowa Army National Guard presented the flags prior to the very inspiring keynote session, “The Power to Stand,” by Iowa’s own Chris Norton. Chris has de- feated all odds after suffering a severe spinal cord injury in a football game in 2010. A documentary titled, “7 Yards,” is going to be released about Chris’s improbably comeback and he shared ways to overcoming challenges and how to make a significant impact after any setback. The IFDA annual meeting was held just before lunch on Tuesday. The business of the association was con- ducted, the results of the election of officers were pre- to the IFDA bylaws. The Premier Midwest Funeral Service Expo opened on Tuesday and attendees had over three hours to visit with those who were exhibiting. Drawings were held throughout the expo and there were sever- al wellness-related giveaways to tie into the convention’s theme, “Inspiring Wellness for the Funeral Profession.” Tuesday afternoon featured three concur- rent sessions including, “Human Resource Management for Funeral Directors,” pre- sented by Leili McMurrough of Worsham College; David Adams of Johnson Con- sulting presented Succession Planning; and IFDA legislative counsel, Mike Triplett, presented Iowa Laws and Rules. The festivities on Tuesday evening includ- ed a cocktail reception and the presidential banquet. The banquet began with the Cele- bration of Life where 22 individuals were re- membered. Awards were given to four schol- arship winners, eight 40-year licensees, three 50-year licensees, and one 60-year licensee. Thirteen funeral homes were honored with the Iowa Award of Funeral Service Excel- lence, including three funeral homes receiv- ing the award for the first time. IFDA past president Jerry Powell installed three District Governors and Ben Eldridge as the IFDA secretary/treasurer and Ryan Tucker as IFDA president-elect prior to in- stalling Yoder as IFDA president for 2019- 2020. Yoder presented Armstrong with sev- eral awards and IFDA executive director Suzanne Gebel presented Bill with a Con- gressional Record entry from Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. Following the banquet, there was time for networking, cocktails, and dessert. The second day of the convention, Wednes- day, May 15, started with three concurrent sessions. “The 5 P’s of Living: Practice, Praise, Pause, Patience & Prayer,” was presented by Kristy Hoffman Rieken of Rieken Funeral Home while Dutch Geisinger of the Safe- Continued on Page A41 Visit www.nomispublications.com News F unera l Home & Cemetery online sented, and the mem- bers voted on changes