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Major Victory for NFDA and Funeral Service: U.S. EPA Finds Formaldehyde Used for Embalming Is Not Regulated Under the Toxic Substances Control Act
NFDA to host free member webinar on March 27 about the draft risk assessment. Earlier today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft of its determination of the health and environmental risks of formaldehyde under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for comment and peer review. NFDA and funeral service secured a major victory when the draft risk assessment indicated that formaldehyde used for embalming would not be subject to regulations under TSCA. …
New Legislation Introduced to Ease Funeral Expenses for Families
Families facing the unexpected loss of a loved one may find relief in new legislation introduced in the House of Representatives today. Endorsed by the National Funeral Directors Association, the “Funeral Coverage Act of 2024,” introduced by Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), would designate funeral expenses as a qualified expense eligible for coverage under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). This means that families that have saved money for healthcare expenses can use those funds for funeral and …
Forge Your Path: NFDA Accepting Applications for Prestigious National Emerging Leaders Program
The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is accepting applications for the 2024-25 National Emerging Leaders Program. This program, which has nurtured 38 funeral service professionals, helps talented individuals cultivate and enhance the skills, abilities and characteristics necessary to effectively lead in their business, their community, and state and national organizations. “The National Emerging Leaders Program promotes the collaboration of like-minded funeral directors who desire to make a difference in a leadership role,” said Victoria Martin …
Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Noel Pratt Wins Mark Hornibrook Scholarship: A Beacon of Excellence in Mortuary Science
In an announcement on February 14, 2024, the Funeral Service Foundation proudly shared that over $165,000 in scholarships were awarded in the latter half of 2023 for academic and professional development within the funeral service field. Among the distinguished recipients, Noel Pratt from Glendale, Arizona, a dedicated student of the Mortuary Science program at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, stood out by being honored with the Mark Hornibrook Memorial Scholarship, amounting to $2,500. This accolade is not …
Celebrating Contributions: NFDA to Accept Nominations for 2024 Inspiration Award, Acknowledging Outstanding Female and Non-binary Professionals in Deathcare
The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) will accept nominations for its second annual Inspiration Award from January 15 through February 16, 2024. This annual recognition is conferred on an exceptional female or non-binary individual who has made noteworthy professional contributions to funeral service or a related field. The honoree will be announced during the 2024 Professional Women’s Conference in Savannah, Georgia, April 28-30, 2024. NFDA is grateful to National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) for sponsoring …
2024 NFDA Meet the Mentors Program: Exclusive Opportunity for Funeral Professionals to Connect, Learn and Advocate in Washington, D.C.
Members of the National Funeral Directors Association are invited to enter for their chance to participate in the association’s transformational Meet the Mentors program. In 2024, the program will be held March 19-22, in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the association’s annual Advocacy Summit. Meet the Mentors has been wholly funded by the Funeral Service Foundation since its 2011 inception. The Funeral Service Foundation’s support of Meet the Mentors helps fulfill its mission of lifting up grieving …
2023 NFDA General Price List Study Shows Inflation Increasing Faster than the Cost of a Funeral
In spite of concerns about inflation in the United States – and skyrocketing costs for goods and services – according to the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) 2023 Member General Price List Study, funeral costs have not risen as fast as the rate of inflation. The overall rate of inflation over the past two years was 13.6%. According to NFDA’s study, the median cost of a funeral with casket and burial has increased only 5.8% …
Scholarship Opportunities : NFDA’s 2024 Professional Women’s Conference
The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) will bring women and non-binary individuals together for the 2024 Professional Women’s Conference, April 28 through 30, 2024, at the DeSoto Hotel in picturesque Savannah, Georgia. During this conference attendees representing all facets of the funeral service profession will be empowered to not only sit at the table but lead at the table. Registration will open February 28, 2024. The Funeral Service Foundation will offer 20 all-inclusive David C. …
U.S. Cremation Rate Expected to Top 80% by 2045
NFDA’s 2023 Cremation and Burial Report Shows the States in the Western Region of the U.S. are Leading the Pack in Terms of the Highest Cremation Rates in the Country When it comes to cremation, the report reveals Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado have emerged as frontrunners, and by the year 2035 these states are projected to have cremation rates reaching 80% or higher – reporting the highest cremation rates in the country. …
AFCCA Supports the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act
As you may know, the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act, which would bring necessary minimum federal standards to the largely unregulated process of whole body donation, has been reintroduced in the 118th Congress. NFDA’s one-pager one the bill is attached. Read the bill text here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4275/text?s=1&r=1&q={“search”%3A%5B”HR+4275″%5D} Many times when talking with Congressional offices, they ask if the State Associations also support the legislation. NFDA plans to send a profession-wide letter to the sponsors of …