MFDA Southern Fall Conference - Registration Open

Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato - Meeting Room 243 

Mayo Clinic Event Center
1 Civic Center Plaza
Mankato, MN 56001

Parking Information

What are MFDA Fall Conferences? 

These conferences make it possible to meet our member (and non-member) funeral directors near their funeral home areas and provide them with important industry updates from our presenters while receiving CEUs, along with social time for visiting with fellow industry professionals, and learn more about MFDA member benefits.

Unable to attend any of our MFDA Fall Conferences in-person this year?

We will have the entire meeting recorded and available to view and receive CEUs virtually in October! FREE for all MFDA member staff.

All MFDA member staff are invited to attend a Fall CEU Conference FREE of charge ($25 additional fee for lunch) at any location that works for their schedule.

Funeral directors can receive up to 7 CEUs and Transfer Care Specialist can receive up to 5 CEUs at each Fall Conference!

Fees:

MFDA Members OSHA Training Only: FREE

MFDA Members Fall Conference: FREE

Lunch: $25

Non-Members OSHA Training Only: $150

Non-Members Fall CEU Conference: $250

Schedule:

9:00am-10:00am OSHA Training (1 OSHA CEU/Body Prep or Regulations & Ethics CEU or 1 Transfer Care Specialist CEU)

10:00am-12:00pm Death Care Partner Updates (2 Professional Practices CEUs or 2 Transfer Care Specialist CEUs)

12:00pm-12:30pm Lunch ($25)

12:30pm-2:20pm Death Care Partner Updates Continued (2 Professional Practices CEUs or 2 Transfer Care Specialist CEUs)

2:30pm-4:20pm "The Four Horsemen of Arterial Embalming" by Carrie Rowell (2 Body Prep CEUs)

Description of "The Four Horsemen of Arterial Embalming" Session:

This 2-hour continuing education course, The Four Horsemen of Arterial Embalming, explores four critical challenges that can compromise the success of any embalming procedure. Representing the most common and destructive technical failures embalmers face, these “horsemen” are examined in depth with practical guidance for overcoming each one.

The course will cover:

Injection Issues: Understanding various injection types, pressure, rate of flow, and machine settings

Poor Distribution: Recognizing signs of uneven distribution and correcting anatomical blockages

Insufficient Drainage: Improving drainage efficiency and identifying obstacles to proper removal

Poor Chemical Selection/Use: Choosing and modifying fluids based on case conditions and body type

Through real-world examples, interactive discussion, and effective troubleshooting strategies, participants will enhance their technical skills and develop greater confidence in handling challenging cases. This session is designed for both new and experienced professionals committed to improving embalming outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the four primary technical challenges in arterial embalming.

Evaluate and adjust injection techniques, including various types and machine settings, to improve fluid delivery.

Diagnose distribution and drainage issues and apply corrective measures.

Select appropriate chemical formulations based on case analysis.

About Our Speaker:

Carrie Rowell is a Teaching Specialist in the Program of Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota and a part-time Traveling Funeral Director with Vertin Company. With a passion for both education and practice, Carrie bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world application in funeral service. Her work emphasizes the critical thinking and technical precision required in modern embalming.