For state funeral associations across the country, cultivating strong board leadership and keeping young professionals engaged remains a constant challenge. The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association has found a working solution through its Leadership Academy, a program designed to build professional skills and foster long-term involvement in the deathcare industry.
Now entering its sixth class, the academy operates on a bi-yearly schedule. The structured model gives participants ample time to prepare and schedule their attendance around professional obligations.
Inside the Leadership Curriculum
Applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience working in deathcare, but the program isn’t strictly limited to licensed funeral directors. Vendors and allied industry professionals are also encouraged to participate, bringing a broader perspective to the group.
The program runs once a month from October through March, with sessions rotating to different locations across Minnesota. The class structure incorporates practical case studies alongside facility tours and meetings with key industry partners.
Participants explore real-world scenarios, such as handling consumer inquiries. As part of the exercise, attendees work together as a group and come up with ways and prompts to be able to have those conversations with somebody that might be calling price shopping.
Beyond classroom exercises, the program connects participants with surrounding organizations that interface with funeral homes. Class cohorts tour facility hubs like Kelco Supply Company and Metro First Call, meet with organ procurement representatives from LifeSource, and learn about grief support initiatives such as Healing Hearts Connection.
Building Board Retention and Community
While the primary goal of the academy is professional development, it has paid significant dividends for the association’s leadership pipeline. By bringing emerging leaders together and introducing them directly to association operations, the program naturally prepares attendees for volunteer roles.
“We currently have five board members that are leadership academy graduates,” said Executive director Miki Tufto, adding that they have a 13-member board. “So, for the association, it has been highly beneficial to have that connection of these students going through not only for themselves professionally, but then they learn, of course, about more about MFDA and consider opportunities for leadership.”
The initiative has helped lower the average age of board members to around 40, helping young owners and rising funeral service professionals actively support the state’s deathcare sector.
By providing structured education, practical problem-solving, and direct exposure to state leadership, programs like the Leadership Academy offer a clear roadmap for engaging the next generation of deathcare professionals.
Applications for the MFDA Leadership Academy open each year leading up to the fall start, with registration typically closing in late September ahead of the program launch in mid-October. To qualify, applicants must have at least two years of experience in the deathcare industry. Selection is competitive to ensure a small cohort for optimal networking, with candidates evaluated on their professional background, geographic distribution across Minnesota, and commitment to attending all six monthly sessions. You can submit your application online or download a printable form directly on the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association website.
