New Mexico Funeral Service Association Scholarship Application 2022


New Mexico Funeral Service Association is offering a scholarship for either currently enrolled students in a funeral service program or students that are planning on attending a funeral service program in 2022.

Applications are due by Monday, May 30th and to be sent to: NMFuneralServiceAssociation@gmail.com.

See application below:


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2022 Application

Click on the graphic on the left to download the file.


2022 - NMFSA Convention - Thursday, April 28th 9a-4p. to be held at Dusk Memorials in Rio Rancho.


We are pleased to announce we will meet in person at Dusk Memorials at 1275 Unser Blvd. NE (Near Northern Blvd and Unser Blvd) in Rio Rancho, NM.   Dusk recently opened and just joined the NMFSA.   Many thanks to Dusk for hosting this event as well as our current sponsors: NFDA, Federated Insurance and Foundation Partners Group.


Please see the attached flyer for convention, registration and sponsorship opportunities.   

J. Buck Dyck
NMFSA President.


Firms and Individuals


Alamogordo Funeral Home website Alamogordo

Ballard Funeral Home & Crematory  website  Roswell

Berardinelli Funeral Home  website  Santa Fe

Chapel of Hope Funeral Home  website  Hobbs

Chavez Funeral Homes website Ft. Sumner and Santa Rosa

Denton Wood Funeral Home  website  Carlsbad

Director’s Choice website Albuquerque

Direct Funeral Services  website  Albuquerque

Farmington Funeral Home  website  Farmington

French Funerals & Cremations  website  Albuquerque, Rio Rancho

Gonzales Mortuary  website  Las Vegas

Graham/La Paz Funeral Homes website Las Cruces

Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home  website  Alamogordo

Kirikos Family Funeral Home  website  Truth or Consequences

LaGrone Funeral Chapel  website Roswell, website Ruidoso

Muffley Funeral Home website Clovis

Neptune Society website

Noblin Funeral Service  website  Belen

Park Lawn Corporation website Albuquerque, Rio Rancho

Reflections/Salazar and Sons Funeral Homes website Albuquerque   

Rivera Family Funeral Home  website  Española, Taos, Santa Fe

Riverside Funeral Home  website  Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Santa Fe

Rollie Mortuary  website  Gallup

Serenity and Company  website  Farmington, Gallup

Steed-Todd Funeral Home and Crematory website Clovis

Stevens Funeral Home website Lovington

Terpening & Sons Mortuary website Artesia 

Terrazas Funeral Chapels website Deming and Silver City  

Trujillo Family Funeral Home - website - Albuquerque


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NMFSA 2022 Convention Flyer / Registration

Click on the graphic on the left to download the file.




Vendors

Albuquerque Image Products, Albuquerque, NM

The Dodge Co., Glendale, AZ

Express Funeral Funding, Fort Worth, TX

Miller and Sons Funeral Car Sales, Dallas, TX

Passages International Inc., Albuquerque, NM

PBF Manufacturing, Phoenix, AZ

Wilbert Funeral Services Inc., Broadview, IL

Worthen Memorials Inc., Albuquerque, NM

Wright Products - Messenger, Salida, CO

VIRTUAL CONVENTION CANCELLED - WE ARE MEETING IN PERSON, THURSDAY APRIL 28th in ALBUQUERQUE

Dear NMFSA Colleagues and Vendors,
We have all been through many challenges these last two years.   With the improvements in infection rate and easing of state restrictions, we have made the decision to cancel our "virtual" convention and gather in-person, for a one-day event in April.
Our target is Thursday, April 28th in Albuquerque.   We are working on a venue now and hope to have one secured by the end of next week.   We have much we can accomplish if we use our collective talent and voices including but not limited to:
- Revising and modernizing our association By-Laws
- Hosting a legislative breakout group to discuss updates in disposition laws, licensing and establishment requirements, and crematories.   
- Revising our NMFSA Scholarship
- Electing a new board of directors
The needs and business environment are shifting rapidly and the NMFSA is your best voice to ensure we are leading rather than responding to these changes.   Thank you all for your emails, comments and participation.
Respectfully,
J. Buck Dyck
NMFSA President 

UPDATE FROM OMI

Dear NMFSA Colleagues,
Below is an attached copy of a memorandum from Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Investigator and Dr. Lauren Dvorscak, Assistant Chief Medical Investigator regarding:
 Changes in the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) standard operating procedure regarding non-examined cases
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OMI Memorandum - 2.18.2022

Click on the graphic on the left to download the file.

NEWS - Januray 21, 2022

2022 NMFSA Convention-
After careful thought and discussion, the 2022 NMFSA Convention we will reluctantly move to a virtual format.   With the current Omicron surge, which is also being felt by our members, the NMFSA Board of Directors believe this format will allow more to be active in this convention.
Our virtual convention will still be held on Wednesday, March 9th and Thursday, March 10th.  Hours will be updated shortly.
Given that virtual conventions are better than none, but also lacking in the full value of in person meetings, registration and sponsorships will be offered at a reduced rate.   Stay tuned for more information.
Teleconference called by Rep. Luis Terrazas, joined by other NM Leaders with a vested interest in funeral service-
Today, a teleconference was held with Representative Luis Terrazas, (District 39) who is also a licensed funeral director, he was also joined by Representative Pamelya Herndon (District 28).   Rep. Terrazas has been an advocate for our profession and the public during this crisis period and Rep. Herndon was committed to assisting our fellow professionals and bereaved families.   Many other leaders including, Dr. Scrase, Cabinet Secretary from the Department of Health and Human Services,  Dr. Jarrell, Chief Investigator from OMI, Mayor Robert Noblin (Belen) who is also a board member and licensed funeral director and many others were in attendance.   We discussed many pressing matters (some of which are covered in the letters below) and there seemed to be consensus that action needed to be taken.   One area that got the most attention was the need for Doctors to universally adopt e-signatures via the state DAVE System.  My sincere thanks for the time and attention of all these professionals.   We agreed to take up these items again in a few weeks to continue progress on these matters.
Update from OMI on Cremation Permits:
Message from Veronica Tovar, Program Coordinator of Decedent Affairs:
"Good Morning,
Attached is a list of the following individuals who are authorize to sign cremation permits on behalf of the Office of Medical Investigator.
We have trained additional staff to provide efficiency and process the cremation permits in a timely manner.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Veronica R. Tovar
Program Coordinator of Decedent Affairs"
Document Below:

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OMI Cremation Permits - Authorized Signers

Click on the graphic on the left to download the file.

IMPORTANT UPDATES - State of the Profession

Now more than ever, funeral providers across New Mexico have been strained by the immense need from our communities.   Many funeral homes are at or beyond the capacity to continue serving new families / deaths.


I called an emergency teleconference of our board on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 to discuss the surge in deaths and options to help alleviate those impacted.   Some of the areas of concern discussed were:


* Refrigeration capacities

* Staff shortages / compounded with slow licensing approval by NMRLD

* Crematory capacities

* Delay in death certificates / cremation permits

* Delays in caring for indigent cases


As such, I have drafted letters to both State Representative Luis Terrazas - District 39, who is also a funeral director and to Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham.   Copies of these letters are attached below.


The areas in which we requested help from our state government were as follows:


* Temporary Ability for those applying for a professional license to operate in the scope of the license upon application.

* Temporary Ability for out of state licensees to operate in New Mexico in relation to the scope of the out of state license held.

* Override of local regulations for crematories to operate without hourly restrictions and approval of new crematories to be installed.

* Liability protection for crematory operators who operate in "good faith" from problems that arose from another funeral provider.

* Requiring Doctors to adopt use of the DAVE System for electronic signatures.


In essence we are not asking for funding or supplies on the part of the state. Rather we are asking for more freedom and ability to meet the needs of our communities.  I would like to personally thank Rep. Luis Terrazas for his time, attention and advocacy for our profession and bereaved families.    More refrigeration and storage is only temporary and does nothing to help care for decedents in a dignified manner.   We are not in the business of storing people.   Rather, our responsibility is to care for the deceased and help their families move forward with the grieving process.

I did receive a response from the Governor's Office (Also posted below.)   I implore you to pick up the phone and email your legislators and the Governor to take action.

Also, please contact me with any ideas or problems you are experiencing.   The NMFSA is your voice and I welcome any input.


Sincerely,

J. Buck Dyck 

President - NMFSA



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NMFSA Letter to Governor Lujan Grisham

Click on the graphic on the left to download the file.

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NMFSA Letter to Rep. Luis Terrazas

Click on the graphic on the left to download the file.

Sincere Condolences from the NMFSA - Michael Kirikos, October 31, 1942 - October 8, 2021

It is with great sadness that we must offer our sincere condolences and recognize the life of Michael Kirikos.  He died on Friday, October 8, 2021 in Las Cruces, NM.  Mr. Kirikos had been the owner of Kirikos Family Funeral Home in Truth or Consequences, NM and a longtime member of the NMFSA.   We wish the Kirikos family our best during this difficult time.   Please take a moment to remember him by reading the obituary at the link below:
Michael Kirikos Obituary

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NMFSA President, J. Buck Dyck met with Federated Insurance Account Executive, Cody Schumacher in Albuquerque to discuss the NMFSA's continued relationship with Federated as our preferred provider of business insurance.   Federated will continue to budget up to $3000 per year to help support our association.    Many thanks to Cody for a great visit and a special thank you to Federated for their support of the NMFSA.   Cody will be joining us for our December meeting in Truth or Consequences and sponsoring this meeting.   Be sure to email: nmfuneraserviceassociation@gmail.com for a complimentary NMFSA/Federated polo shirt.


NMFSA Quarterly Meeting Updates from FRIDAY, September 17th, 2021.  Held at Riverside Funeral Home, Albuquerque, NM

Dear NMFSA Colleagues,
Many thanks to all who showed for a great turnout.   A special thanks to Riverside Funeral Home for hosting this event.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:  Based upon the feedback of our valued vendors who help support the NMFSA, our convention dates have been moved.   
Our 2022 Convention will now be held on Wednesday, March 9th and Thursday, March 10th.
Other business notes:
- We were thankful to have several volunteers to join committees.
- We are going to re-visit the by-laws for proposed changes rather than voting on the amendments that were proposed in late 2019.
- We obtained the documents needed for our bank account transfer and fully anticipate a complete treasurer's report at the next meeting.
- Many thanks to Veronica Tovar, Director of Decedent Affairs at OMI for her partnership and presentation on updates at OMI.  A PDF of the new release form is available below.  If your firm is having challenges or has questions, please reach out to her directly at: (505) 925-0533.
- President J. Buck Dyck will be reaching out to each firm in the state over the next few weeks to connect on:  updated contact information, a survey on what they would like to see from our association, gain members and gain insight from those who may not yet be members.
- We also had a great discussion regarding change(s) and modernization of our association.   We discussed different types of events (especially fun ones!) and engagement from other funeral service professionals that serve families but are not FSP's.
NEXT MEETING:
FRIDAY, December 3, 2021 3-5p at Kirikos Funeral Home in Truth or Consequences.  Many thanks to Kirikos for hosting!  Truth or Consequences is a beautiful town and a great place to spend a night or two after a long week of funeral service.   We will have an un-official gathering for drinks, food, fun and friendship following the meeting at a location TBD.
Please join us for a great event.

Lastly, a special thanks to Federated Insurance who has graciously offered to sponsor this meeting.   All attendees will receive a free NMFSA/Federated Polo shirt.  In addition to the shirts, Federated is providing our association an additional $500 donation!   
Please RVSP/email your size to: nmfuneralserviceassociation@gmail.com  
Federated is the preferred business insurance partner of the NMFSA.  For more information on solutions to protect your business please contact:
Cody Schumacher - Account Executive
Cell: 785-608-6309 / Email: clschumacher@fedins.com


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New OMI Release Form

Click on the graphic on the left to download the file.

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NMFSA Quarterly Meeting Updates from FRIDAY, June 18th.  Held at Noblin Funeral Service, Belen, NM

Dear NMFSA Colleagues,
We had a great first meeting with our new board.   Many thanks to all who attended in person and online.  A special thank you to Noblin Funeral Services for hosting this event.   Moving forward, we will be posting minutes and files for our members to view for better access.
A few important updates:
  • Welcome Nadine DeMay who was nominated by Ernest Martinez and unanimously elected to the position of Vice President.   Nadine works for the Serenity Company in Farmington and we are honored to have her join our board of directors!
  • Dr. Heather Jarrell - Chief Medical Investigator, Veronica Tovar - Program Coordinator of Decedent Affairs and Aidan H. Martinez - Morphology Technician, all from OMI were generous with their time.  We discussed many ways that funeral professionals and OMI could better work together in our joint service to families.  This included but was not limited to: increased turnaround time on death certificates, advocacy for OMI to the State Legislature to reduce the need for increased OMI and cremation permit fees and a new case management system that is being developed for funeral professionals to access real-time updates from OMI on release status.
  • Given the limited capacity of our board during the pandemic and the 2021 convention having been cancelled, dues that were paid for renewal for 2021 will be extended through 2022.   Members who have not yet renewed will be grandfathered in for the remainder of this year and able to renew at anytime through 2022 up to the convention.
  • Our bank account at Bank of America has still not been transitioned to the new board, as such a treasurer's report was not available.  However we are working on getting this situation resolved and will update our members online and notify by email ASAP once available.
  • The 2022 NMFSA Convention Date has been set for Thursday March 10th and Friday March 11th 2022.  Location TBD.  We are excited to be back in person!
  • Our next quarterly meeting is set for Friday, September 17th from 11a-1p at Riverside Funeral Home, 225 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.  Many thanks to Riverside Funeral Home for hosting.
Please continue to stay involved.   The NMFSA is your voice of our profession here in New Mexico and I am dedicated to serving on your behalf.  If you have a question, concern or comment.  Please feel welcome to contact me.

Sincerely,
J. Buck Dyck
President - NMFSA 

NMFSA Quarterly Meeting - FRIDAY, June 18th - 11:00 AM

Dear NMFSA Colleagues,
Please remember to join us for an in-person meeting of our association on Friday, June 18th at 11:00 AM.
We will meet at:
Noblin Funeral Service - 418 W Reinken Ave, Belen, NM 87002
We will also be live streaming at:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/111781565
Many thanks to Noblin Funeral Service for hosting and to our representatives joining from OMI.
Jonathan Dyck
President - NMFSA

SPECIAL ELECTION UPDATES:

As of Friday, April 16th, 2021, the NMFSA has elected a new board of directors for 2021-2022!
President - J. Buck Dyck / FRENCH Funerals - Cremations, Albuquerque
President Elect - Michael B. McIntire / Steed Todd Funeral Home, Clovis
Vice President - TBD
Secretary-Treasurer - Angelique Good / FRENCH Funerals - Cremations, Albuquerque
Director at Large - Robert Noblin / Noblin Funeral Services, Belen 
Past President - Joshua McManigal / Daniels Family Funeral Services, Albuquerque
The NMFSA extends a special thanks to Past President McManigal for his service to the state, our profession and our association as president for 2020-2021

Our next quarterly meeting will be held at Noblin Funeral Service on Friday, June 18th at 11:00 a.m.
Noblin Funeral Service, 418 W Reinken Ave, Belen, NM 87002



NMFSA QUARTERLY MEETING - Announcements:

UPDATE:


Nominations Received via Teleconfrence on Friday, April 9, 2021 for the 2021-2022 NMFSA Board:


   * President - J. Buck Dyck - FRENCH Funerals - Cremations / Albuquerque


   * President Elect - Michael McIntire - Steed Todd Funeral Home / Clovis


   * Vice President - No Nominations


   * Secretary/Treasurer - Angelique Good - FRENCH Funerals - Cremations / Albuquerque


   * Director at Large - Robert Noblin - Noblin Funeral Services / Belen


   * Past President - Joshua McManigal - Daniels Family Funeral Services / Albuquerque


Below is the invite to the Go-To-Meeting to hold our special election on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Please join us and make your voice heard!


NMFSA - Special Election

Fri, Apr 16, 2021 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (MDT)


Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.


https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/919776669


You can also dial in using your phone.

(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)


United States: +1 (872) 240-3212

- One-touch: tel:+18722403212,,919776669#


Access Code: 919-776-669



New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/919776669



Below are some important announcements that came as a result of our quarterly meeting held at Strong-Thorne Mortuary on Friday, March 12, 2021.


- Lisa Dalton, NMFSA Secretary/Treasurer regretfully resigned effective, March 12, 2021.  President Joshua McManigal will assume the roles and responsibilities of this position until a new board member is in place.


- A special meeting will be held on Friday, April 16th at 4:00 PM Via Go-To-Meeting to elect a new board of directors.  Nominations are requested to be submitted by email by Friday, April 9th.   The following positions are open for the 2021-2022 Session.

   * President

   * President Elect

   * Vice President

   * Secretary/Treasurer

   * Director at Large


We ask all funeral service professionals and firms to join!  Our collective voice and participation is needed to back our profession in public and legislative matters. 


- Our next regular quarterly meeting will be on June 18th at 11:00 AM follow at Noblin Funeral Service, 418 W. Reinken Avenue, Belen, NM 87002


- The NMFSA Board of Directors has awarded our 2021 Scholarship to Natalie Luscombe, who is currently employed at Steed-Todd Funeral Home in Clovis. Natalie is a student at the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service.  We are honored to help her achieve her goals and hopefully have another FSP serving in New Mexico!


An invite will follow on the Go-To-Meeting for the special election meeting.







NMFSA QUARTERLY MEETING UPDATE - FRIDAY, MARCH 12 - 11:00 AM (VIRTUAL INVITE)

Dear NMFSA Colleagues,
Please join us virtually for our quarterly meeting via Go-To-Meeting.   The NMFSA Board will meet in-person at Strong-Thorne Funeral Home in Albuquerque.
Invite:
NMFSA Quarterly Meeting
Fri, Mar 12, 2021 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (MST)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/693850981
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 693-850-981
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/693850981


IMPORTANT UPDATES:

* As of Thursday, February 18, 2021, the NMFSA Board of Directors voted to cancel the 2021 Virtual Convention.
* The 2021 NMFSA Scholarship Opportunity ($2500) has been extended and applications will be accepted through March 1st, 2021.  
* We will be holding our quarterly meeting via Go-To-Meeting on Friday, March 12th from 11a-1p.   Please make an effort to attend.  An invite will be posted here on the Convention / News page.
* To support New Mexico firms and our vendor sponsors during a challenging year, our dues have been cut by 50% across the board! 
  

The NMFSA extends sincere condolences to the family of Sam D. Baca, owner of Baca's Funeral Chapels (Silver City & Deming), Baca's Mimbres Crematory and NM Granite and Marble Co.

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Sam D. Baca 

Deming - Sam D. Baca, 75, longtime Deming resident and businessman peacefully passed away at home on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The rosary will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM, officiated by Fr. Ron Machado. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM celebrated by Fr. Prakasham Babu and Fr. Ron Machado, followed by concluding services and interment with military honors at Mt. View Cemetery. Due to capacity restrictions, church services will be live streamed. To view additional details about Sam D. Baca's Services, including any available live streams:

https://my.gather.app/remember/sam-d-baca

Sam was born February 15, 1945 in Faywood, NM to Eduardo and Elena Dominguez Baca. He attended the Cobre School system continued his education at Western New Mexico University. He served in the United States Army and after being discharged he went to the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, California graduating in 1970. His dedication to funeral service brought about the purchase of Wheeler Mortuary in 1975, followed by the establishment of Baca's Heather Funeral Home in Lordsburg, NM, Baca's Funeral Chapel in Silver City, NM and Baca's Funeral Chapel in Las Cruces, NM; along with New Mexico Granite and Marble Company and Mimbres Crematory.

He served as Mayor of Deming for 20 years, was a past board member of Deming Public Schools, the New Mexico Board of Funeral Service and was very active with the Community Development Block Grant program for our local area.

On October 13, 1983 he became an advisory director for First New Mexico Bank and was appointed a full director on March 14, 1985, for a total of 36 years on the board.

He was proud to serve on the board of the Help in Healing Foundation at the Village at Mayo Clinic.

He was a dedicated Catholic and had a lifelong dream of refurbishing his childhood church in San Jose, NM. Along with the help of former parishioners, family members and friends he was instrumental in accomplishing his dream.

He is survived by his brother, Fernando "Buddy" Baca of Deming, numerous nieces and nephews and professional family. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Eduardo and Elena Baca; sisters Clara and Nora; and brothers Adan, Ramon, and Julian.

Pallbearers will be Paul Baca, "Coach" Sandoval, Tony Saenz, Max Eddings, Jesse Valencia, and Ricardo Molina. Honorary pallbearers are his fellow Directors from First New Mexico Bank: G.G. Gore, Dr. John Lundy, Teresa Molina, Richard Patterson, Jakub Sherman, and Gary Shiflett, along with close colleague John Strand and very good friend Olivina Ortiz.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to Help in Healing Home Foundation at the Village at Mayo clinic, 5811 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix AZ. 85254.

Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels and Mimbres Crematory. Exclusive provider for "Veterans & Family Memorial Care". To sign the online guest book or to send a card, please visit our website at www.bacasfuneralchapels.com.

811 S. Gold Ave., Deming, NM 88030. Phone: 575.546.9671


Our 2021 NMFSA Convention will be a virtual event - Dates: March 11th and 12th, 2021

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