Arizona Student Awarded the Foundation ’45 Scholarship

Congratulations to Nicole Caldwell for being one of only seven students awarded the prestigious Foundation ’45 Scholarship! This $5,000 scholarship, funded by the generous donors of the Funeral Service Foundation, supports students pursuing funeral service education at accredited institutions. Nicole’s dedication to her studies at Chandler-Gilbert Community College exemplifies the future of compassionate, professional service. Well done, Nicole—we are proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing your growth and leadership in the Funeral …

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2025 NFDA Meet the Mentors Program: Exclusive Opportunity for Funeral Professionals to Connect, Learn and Advocate in Washington, D.C.

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is proud to announce that its highly-praised Meet the Mentors program will take place from April 8-10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This transformative event, held in conjunction with NFDA’s annual Advocacy Summit, offers a unique opportunity for emerging funeral service professionals to engage with leaders and experience the power of advocacy firsthand. Since its launch in 2011, and thanks to the generous support of the Funeral Service Foundation, Meet the …

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National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona Pilot Green Burial Program

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced it is now piloting interments in green burial sections at three VA national cemeteries, to include The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. This pilot provides Veterans interment options that minimize environmental impact. The pilot is now underway. Families seeking to inter their loved ones in the new green burial section at The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona can begin scheduling …

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AFCCA 2024 Year in Review

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year of growth, advocacy and community building within the funeral profession. Here are some highlights of AFCCA’s accomplishments and key activities: Advocacy and Legislative Updates AFCCA worked diligently throughout the year to address critical legislative and regulatory issues affecting the funeral profession: State-Level Advocacy: January: The cleanup bill HB2140 was introduced, focusing on pathways to licensure, ongoing education requirements, and licensing fee structures. This bill …

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Registration and Scholarship Application Open for NFDA 2025 Professional Women’s Conference

Registration is now open for the 2025 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Professional Women’s Conference, a premier event designed to empower female funeral service professionals. The conference will take place May 15-18, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. This intimate event, limited to 165 attendees, offers transformative educational sessions, invaluable networking opportunities and strategies tailored to the unique challenges women face in the funeral profession. The …

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2024 AFCCA Fall Mixer Recap – Community and Connections

On Saturday, November 9, Rustler’s Roost in Phoenix was filled with the energy and camaraderie of the funeral, cemetery, and cremation profession. The 2024 Arizona Funeral, Cemetery, and Cremation Association (AFCCA) Fall Mixer welcomed around 160 industry professionals for an evening of meaningful interactions, shared ideas, and community support. In a field where understanding and compassion are essential, creating opportunities to connect with peers helps strengthen the bonds that sustain us in serving others. This …

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NFDA Champions Veterans’ Burial Benefit Access in Congressional Hearing

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) was invited to testify before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs at an oversight hearing titled “Our Nation’s Hallowed Grounds: A Review of America’s National Cemetery Funeral Operations for Veterans and Servicemembers.” The hearing focused on assessing and improving the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) efforts to meet the needs of military families. NFDA was called …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates October 18, 2024

Funeral Services Advisory Committee Update The Funeral Services Advisory Committee application is live on the Arizona Department of Health Services website. Currently, 20 applications have been received, and new applications will be reviewed until all positions are filled. A public member who owns a non-funeral-related business is still needed. Centralized Embalming Locations Update AZDHS is creating a form for firms using Centralized Embalming Locations. Once completed, firms can eliminate their on-site prep/embalming rooms. Until this …

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New Idea Guide Helps Funeral Professionals Guide Families in Remembering Loved Ones in Meaningful Ways

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), through its consumer education initiative Remembering A Life, has developed an updated idea guide for funeral professionals to help them even better serve families at the end of life. Remembering A Life, through its website (RememberingALife.com), podcast, blog, conversation/activity cards, suggested reading, consumer brochures and other resources, educates people about the importance of remembering loved ones in meaningful ways. These resources help families navigate the unique end-of-life challenges but …

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U.S. Cremation Rate is Projected to Climb to 61.9% in 2024

NFDA’s annual Cremation and Burial Report tracks critical data and offers funeral professionals key insights into consumer preferences.   The U.S. cremation rate is projected to increase by 1.3% since last year to 61.9% for 2024, according to the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) 2024 Cremation & Burial Report. The rate of burial is projected to decrease by 1.3% over 2023 to 33.2.%. NFDA members receive complimentary access to this annual report; nonmembers can purchase the Cremation …

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