As a rule, Rev. Don Duford of Clarkston tries not to play politics.
‘I’m a person who votes with my heart and conscious (not by party),? said Duford.
Duford, however, will soon play a role in Lansing following his Dec. 6 appointment from Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science.
‘It’s a joy to serve and a new way I can serve people in the state and in our community. It’s a privilege to do it. I always like to do new things,? said Duford.
The appointment sets Duford to complete the standard three year term for someone who left the post that lasts until June 30, 2007.
‘He’s appointed to represent the general public and he came highly recommended from an acquaintance of the governor,? said spokeswoman for Gov. Granholm Heidi Watson. ‘He’s excited to serve and we’re excited to have him. We know he’ll serve the public well.?
The Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science is one of 17 occupational boards in the state. The board assists the Dept. of Labor and Economic Growth assess disciplinary sanctions and enforce professional practice issues in mortuary science, said Jean M. Boven the director of the Licensing Division of the Bureau of Commercial Services in Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
‘If there is a violation of laws applicable to funeral directors, we would decide where that (case) goes,? said Duford, who explained the board consists of six funeral directors and three public citizens who can levy fines up to $10,000.
‘We meet four times per year and approve new licenses in the funeral industry and make sure the law is upheld,? he added.
The appointment requires Duford to drive to Lansing at least four times a year with the first meeting upcoming in March.
According to Duford, a funeral director on the Michigan Funeral Directors Board and another on the National Funeral Directors Association Board recommended him for the appointment. He also credits his recent help passing a law through the Michigan legislature as important to establishing his name in the funeral community. According to Duford, the law made the cemetery and funeral home owner obligations to consumers equal.
Duford, of the Church of the Resurrection on Clarkston Road, filed a lengthy application with the governor’s office prior to his selection. Following his appointment, he sent a notarized Oath of Office to the governor.
‘Funerals are a big part of our role as a priest to be involved with people. It’s an emotional time for them,? said Duford who claimed to have never met a funeral director he did not like in 20 years of ministry. ‘I think I’m a people person and have a wonderful background for this.
‘The funeral director field is really changing. Many of the local family-owned businesses are being bought out by larger branches and that changes things. It’s not always bad, but it changes things,? said Duford. ‘The larger corporations will want different changes of law.?
Duford feels his extensive education and ministry bring a positive influence to the board. He said his education includes a doctorate in Ministry with a speciality in counseling; a master’s in business administration from the Graduate Theological Foundation, affiliated with Notre Dame University; a master’s degree in theology from Sacred Heart Seminary; and a bachelor’s in pastoral ministry and psychology from Madonna University.