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Cancellation Policy:
This is an In-Person Only Program.
The OFDA Master’s Training Seminar is designed to provide a 5-year embalmer or funeral director Ohio licensee the required training set forth in Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4717-5-02 to become a Master Embalmer and Master Funeral Director. The Master's Training Certification is good for 5-years.
If you completed a Master's Training Seminar in 2018, you will need to be recertified in 2023. Note: official expiration is specific to date taken.
Sheraton Suites Akron Cuyahoga Falls
1989 Front St.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
If you are looking to stay at the hotel, OFDA currently had a room block. However, the final day to book a room was Monday, September 18, 2023. Group rate is $139.00 per night plus tax.
Dan is the Stakeholder Support Manager for the Bureau of Vital Statistics. He oversees the VS Helpdesk team and Vital Statistics training for all of their partners in funeral homes and local health districts in Ohio. Dan has been with the Bureau of Vital Statistics for the past eleven years.
Don is a fourth-generation funeral director involved with his family’s funeral firm in the Southeast Cleveland area. In addition to being a funeral director he is an attorney who is a principal with the law firm of Donald B. Ferfolia, Jr., LTD. located in Sagamore Hills, Ohio. The combination of law, funeral service, and family business experiences have provided Don with a unique skill set that enables him to assist clients in solving many different types of problems. He enjoys helping firms deal with the daily challenges of running a closely held business including proactively managing accounts receivable issues and succession planning. Don can be reached at 440-249-4655 or don@ferfolialaw.net.
Barb has more than 20 years of experience in the performance and management of health, safety, and environment (HSE) projects for domestic and international organizations across dozens of industries and market sectors. Special expertise in conducting HSE compliance audits, health and safety training, and the development and implementation of written HSE programs. Experience delivering multi-media training courses in a variety of formats including instructor-led courses, webinars, computer-based instruction, and HSEEP-compliant seminars, workshops, drills, tabletop exercises, and functional exercises. Also experienced in the development of emergency plans and Continuity of Operations (COOP)/Continuity of Government (COG) plans.
Poul has worked in the funeral profession for over 25 years and holds a funeral director’s license and embalmer’s license in several states. As an attorney, Poul is admitted to practice law in Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia.
He operates and is principal of Lemasters Consulting, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, a consulting business entirely for the deathcare profession, which includes funeral homes, funeral directors/embalmers, cemeteries, cemeterians, cremationists, crematory owners, as well as the suppliers to all of them. He assists in areas of legal, compliance, regulatory, and operational issues. Poul also serves in various roles with national groups such as: General Counsel for ICCFA (International Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Association); Legal Counsel for NCBVA (National Concrete Burial Vault Association); Legal Advisor to CCC (Catholic Cemetery Conference).
Mr. Jon W. Rettig, Sr. of Columbiana, OH, is a Funeral Director/Embalmer/Crematory Operator currently serving as a member of the Board.
He was appointed to the Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors in April 2016 by former Governor Kasich and served as President of the Board from July 2016 until July 2019. He was reappointed by Governor Mike DeWine in July 2020.
Mr. Rettig is a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and earned his certification to enucleate donor eyes in 1979 from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Mr. Rettig is the President of Family Care Services which owns and operates the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home in Leetonia, Ohio; Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home in Columbiana, Ohio; Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home in East Palestine, Ohio; and Family Care Cremation Services, Columbiana, Ohio. He previously served as Past President for the Ohio Funeral Directors Association.
In February of 2020 he was elected District 4 Director of The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (The Conference) representing Ontario, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. He was elected as an Executive Officer serving as Secretary/Treasurer to The Conference in March of 2021. He was announced as President of The Conference in March 2023.
He is also currently serving as Chairman of the State of Ohio Crematory Review Board.
Mr. Rettig is involved in his community as a member on the Columbiana County Planning Commission and as Past President of the Columbiana Rotary Club where he worked with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program to host nine foreign exchange students. He is also a charter member and Past Chairman of the Charitable Foundation of Salem Regional Medical Center and a board member of Salem Regional Medical Center serving on the finance committee, information and technology committee, and quality improvement committee.