Calling All Aspiring Leaders: Be a Part of the NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program

National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has begun accepting applications for the 2023-24 National Emerging Leaders Program. This program, which launched in 2021, helps funeral service professionals develop leadership skills that will serve them well in any setting they may find themselves – their funeral home, their state or national association, their community, and beyond. The NFDA National Emerging Leadership Program is open to all licensed funeral professionals, regardless of NFDA membership, from the United States …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates February 15 – SB1210

Today, February 15, was the Commerce Committee hearing on SB1210 (review introduced version here). There was an amendment offered from the floor (review amendment document here) that was accepted by the committee. The key points of the amendment are: Writes back in the Embalmer License Implements an Advisory Counsel within DHS made up of four industry professionals and three public members AFCCA is appreciative of the amendment that was accepted, though we are aware there …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates February 1 – SB1210

The draft bill/Act SB1210, to revise the Funeral and Embalmers Statutes and Rules was dropped on January 25, 2023 and can be reviewed here. A meeting was held on Monday, January 30 between Senator Kaiser plus staff, and representation from Messingers and AFCCA. Our key points of discussion were: Writing back in the Embalmer License and maintaining the Funeral Director, Crematory Operator and Hydrolysis Operator licenses. Ensuring education remains in tact to receive licensing and …

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Congratulations Alexis Garbrick – Selected Independent Educational Trust Second-Career Scholarship Recipient

Reposted from Selected Trust The Board of Trustees of the Selected Educational Trust is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 Fall Cycle Second-Career Scholarship Program. The winners are Alexis Garbrick and Kurtis Wilkinson.  This cycle of the Trust’s signature scholarship program is sponsored by the Davis Whitehall Company and was created to meet the educational needs of the increasing number of second-career professionals entering independent funeral service seeking positions as funeral directors, embalmers …

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2023 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference: Growing Stronger, Together

Women and non-binary individuals who want to build empathy, trust, confidence and resilience in their professional and personal lives should plan to attend the 2023 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Professional Women’s Conference. This inspiring and uplifting conference will take place May 5-7 at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. Registration opens March 13. The Funeral Service Foundation will offer 20 all-inclusive David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships to make the profession’s …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates – January 10 Committee of Reference Hearing Recap

On Tuesday, the House and Senate held a Committee of Reference hearing to discuss the Funeral Board. The video from Tuesday’s COR hearing can be viewed here: Video Player (azleg.gov). The Funeral Board discussion starts at the 2-hour, 50-minute mark. As expected from our discussion with Sen. Kaiser prior to the hearing, the Auditor General provided a brief overview of their previous findings and recommendations, and Sen. Kaiser reminded the Committee about last year’s bill to …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates – 2023 Legislative Session is Underway

The 2023 Legislative Session is underway, to the best of its ability. This year started bumpy and there is a lot of chaos at the capital, but AFCCA and Capitol Consulting will remain diligent in keeping track of the status of the Funeral Board and Licensure. Over the past six months, there have been numerous stakeholder discussions with legislators, other interested parties, members of the funeral profession and the Association. The purpose of these meetings …

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Lifesaving Partnerships

By Christy E. Liddicoat LFD, LE, LC Soon after entering Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s (CGCC) Mortuary Science Program, students realize the purpose of their role in funeral service is to honor a life that was lived and to support those left behind by a loss. An important element of this role is for a funeral service professional to support families and individuals who have chosen to give the gift of life and improvement of life after …

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Compassion Fatigue in the Funeral Industry

International Grief Institute  |  www.InternationalGriefInstitute.com “I feel burned out and don’t know where to turn,” said the funeral director at a state conference this past summer. I admired his honesty, and an engaging conversation about compassion fatigue ensued. What exactly is compassion fatigue, and what makes the funeral industry at risk? As a primary caregiver to the newly bereaved, funeral directors are subjected to traumatic stories through the families they comfort. Absorbing repeat exposure to …

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Making the Most of Our Collaboration

Pictured above: Tim Brown, president and CEO of DNA, welcomes funeral home partners for the annual meeting at the new DNA office in Tempe Sept. 27, 2022.  Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) works in the realm of deceased organ, eye and tissue donation—with the addition of living donation through the placenta donation program, which comes after a planned C-section. A large element of making the gift of life possible is the support of funeral homes …

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