SAVE THE DATE MFDA 2026 Convention and Trade Show

June 14-16 Historic Butte, Montana

2026 MFDA Convention and Trade Show

SCHEDULE

8 CE CREDITS AVAILABLE

SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2026

9:00 am-11 am MFDA Board Meeting,

11 am MFDA Annual Golf Tournament. Vendors are welcome to attend and meet the funeral directors

11:00 am Guided Tour of Butte, featuring an underground mine tour, a visit to Headframe Spirits, and more

RSVP Terri to reserve your spot for the tour or the golf tournament | info@montanafda.org

Convention Registration 4 pm-6 pm

Vendor set up 4 pm- 5:30 pm

6-9 Welcome Reception Home of MFDA President Bri Mulvaney

Past President Reception

Awards for Golf and Tour

MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026

Registration 8 am-9 am

8:30-9:00 am Vendor Breakfast

9 am -10:30 am John T Hill, Embalming Techniques 1.5 CE

10:45 am-12:15 pm Membership Meeting/Election 2 CE (MFDA Firm and Individual Members Only) 1.5 CE

12:15-1 pm- Vendor lunch

1-2 pm- Kqyn Kuka, Ethics Presentation, Cultural Biases 1CE

2-3 pm -Fr. Russell Radoicich, History of Funeral Traditions and Symbols in the Church, Their spiritual and Physical Meanings 1 CE

3:15-4:15 pm- John T. Hill, Keeping the Fire Lit, Motivational Speech 1CE

5-6 pm- Vendor reception

5:45 pm -Vendor giveaways, prizes

6:30 PM- Dinner and awards

New officers announced

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026

7:30-8:00 am-Breakfast

8:00-8:30 am MFDA Board Meeting

8:30 am-9:15 am Service of Remembrance

9:30- 10:15 am-Panel Discussion 1 CE

10:30- 11:15 am- John T Hill, Educating the Public on Embalming (open to the public) 1 CE

11:15-11:30 Wrap up

11:30 am Vendor meeting

12:00 PM Teardown

*Schedule subject to change

Guest Speakers

Kqyn Kuka is a descendant of the Blackfeet nation and is the Tribal Liaison and Diversity Coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Kqyn develops, implements, and administers agency diversity initiatives and programs. She has established and maintains strong relationships with tribal partners through a respectful government-to-government approach to diplomacy. A veteran state game warden with 13 years’ experience in enforcement, Kqyn studied fisheries and wildlife at the Salish and Kootenai College in Pablo Montana. Currently in her fifth year as FWP’s tribal liaison, Kqyn works tirelessly to advocate for partnerships within Indian country across all FWP programs. Her slogan and working philosophy is: “From Stranger to Neighbor.”

John T. Hill is a licensed undertaker in seven states, based in North Carolina. He serves as the Clinical Coordinator and Instructor for Pierce Mortuary Colleges, which include Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, and Mid-America College of Funeral Service. In addition to his academic role, John works at James Funeral Home and Northlake Memorial Gardens in Huntersville, just outside Charlotte.

He is also the owner of Hill Mortuary Service & Seminars, specializing in trade embalming, restorative arts, and continuing education for funeral service professionals all over the United States, including a frequent and requested speaker for many association conventions, including the NFDA.

John's journey to becoming a Restorative Arts Specialist involved intensive education and experience. He furthered his knowledge with continued training in Anatomical Preservation and Dissection Theory.

In 2024, he founded and initiated the RESTORE Program, designed to enhance mortuary science education with a focus on high standards of quality care in embalming, restorative arts, and body presentation.

John’s passion and dedication extends beyond serving grieving families; he desires to further this sacred profession by educating and showing the value, purpose, and benefit of funeral service. He aims to mentor and motivate current and aspiring funeral professionals, empowering them to excel, serve with excellence, and make a difference.

2026 AWARDS

55 Years 1971

Dennis Croxford

45 Years 1981

Steve Schnider

Joe Stevenson

35 Years 1991

 William Kropp

Thomas Grymes

Carron A. Grymes

John Dahl

F. Ray Ruffatto

30 Years 1996

Christopher E. Remely

10 Years 2016

Kristen Robertson

Jacklyn Keto- Mason

Steven Kirkegard

5 Years 2021

Marcia Princivalli

Courtney Molloy

Amy Wallace

Ross Halvorson

2025 Convention photos