Across Borders, Across Traditions: NFDA Unveils Historic Global Study

Reinforcing its position as the world’s leading funeral service association, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has released the first-ever global study of consumer attitudes toward funerals and funeral professionals. Across Borders, Across Traditions: A Global Study of Funeral Preferences is a landmark research report that offers an unprecedented look at how consumers in 20 countries across six continents view funerals, grief rituals, burial, cremation and the role of the funeral director. The full report is …

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NFDA Applauds Congress for Introducing Legislation to Protect Grieving Families

As the foremost advocate for grieving families and the funeral service profession, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) commends Congress for introducing two critical pieces of legislation that will provide much-needed oversight to the whole-body donation process and financial relief for funeral expenses. The Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act (S. 1270/H.R. 2589) and the Funeral Coverage Act (H.R. 2436) reflect NFDA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency and dignity in funeral service. These bills, along with …

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Changing Funeral Preferences: NFDA’s First-of-Its-Kind Generational Report Now Available

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, has released an unprecedented study examining consumer attitudes toward funeral service across generations. Available to funeral service professionals for download at no charge, Changing Consumer Preferences: A Generational Perspective on Attitudes Toward Funeral Service provides critical insights to help funeral service professionals adapt to evolving expectations and continue delivering meaningful memorial experiences. More than just presenting data, this report serves as a …

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Calling All Funeral Directors and Cremation Specialists: Share Your Insights

We are sharing an important opportunity on behalf of our partners and friends at Fortitude and the Cremation Association of North America (CANA)—and we need your input! If you’re a funeral director, arrangement specialist, cremation specialist, or operations lead involved in making arrangements, we invite you to take a brief survey to share your experiences. Your insights will help shape a deeper understanding of industry needs and best practices. How You Can Help Take the survey: …

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The Funeral Service Foundation Launches Spring 2025 Scholarship Season

Open scholarship and program applications include Spring Academic Scholarships, Certified Celebrant Training, NFDA Embalming & Restorative Arts Seminar, and the National Emerging Leaders Program The Funeral Service Foundation is accepting academic and professional development scholarship applications at FuneralServiceFoundation.org for more than 25 Academic Scholarships, 10 Certified Celebrant Training Scholarships, 5 scholarships to attend the NFDA Embalming & Restorative Arts Seminar, and 20 positions in the NFDA National Emerging Leaders program. ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS The Funeral Service …

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Recognizing Remarkable Women: Nominations Open for NFDA Inspiration Award

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is now accepting nominations for the third annual NFDA Inspiration Award. This prestigious award, presented during the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, celebrates a distinguished and accomplished woman who has made meaningful contributions to the funeral service profession or a related field. NFDA thanks National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) for generously sponsoring this award. Nominations will be accepted online through February 17, 2025. The Inspiration Award recognizes individuals who …

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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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