By Staff
To the editor:
The Michigan Funeral Directors Association has a proven track record of consumer advocacy. We have fought for laws to require 100 percent trusting of monies paid in advance on funeral and cemetery goods and services. Consumer investments trusted in third party escrow accounts are safe from unscrupulous actors.
What's more, M.F.D.A. has a long-standing zero tolerance policy for members who fail to escrow funeral trust funds. While David Groner's case has yet to be tried, if the allegations are true, he broke the public's trust. And breaches of the public's trust will not be tolerated. Mr. Groner is no longer part of our association.
Funeral directors, or cemetery operators, convicted of failing to escrow funeral trust funds, or steal those monies, should face the strictest penalties the law allows.
M.F.D.A. members strive to uphold the highest standards of ethics and decency. We have worked tirelessly to ensure the strongest protections for consumers and will continue to so so in the future. Our commitment is to ensure consumers are protected.
Owner of Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles
Past president, Michigan Funeral Directors Association