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% …

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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. …

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2023 Fall Mixer Recap

A very sincere thank you to all that came out on Saturday, November 4th for the annual AFCCA Fall Mixer at Cien Agaves Old Town. We hope that all that joined us had a wonderful time and met new friends, enjoyed delicious food and maybe a margarita in our fancy color changing cups! We were so please to have several of the 2023-24 CGCC Mortuary Science Program Students attend and network…if you haven’t had the …

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Funeral Directors Life Announces All-in-One Marketing Packages

Sponsored AFCCA Supplier Partner Article Funeral Directors Life (FDL) is pleased to introduce its new all-inclusive marketing packages for funeral home clients. These packages offer a range of digital marketing options, including social media management, Google Ads, Facebook ads, YouTube ads, custom video production, customer relationship management (CRM), preneed eCommerce, website management, aftercare, and more.     “What sets FDL’s marketing packages apart from other options available to funeral homes is that all these services work …

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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. …

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AFCCA Advocacy Updates August 23 – AZDHS Special Licensing

Thursday, August 17, representatives from AFCCA and AZ Capitol Consulting met with Tom Salow (Assistant Director of Licensing), Megan McMinn (Office Chief, Office of Special Licensing), Carly Fleege (Policy Advisor) and Natasha Culbertson at the AZDHS Bureau of Special Licensing. Overall we thought the meeting went well. For those who are not aware, Natasha Culbertson did transfer over to the Department. Marissa did as well, but has since left. So there are still people who …

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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 …

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2023 AFCCA 13th Annual Conference Recap

Thank you to all who attended and made it the success that it was. This year’s theme was to “Agents of Transformation.” Being an agent of transformation in the deathcare profession is a profound and purposeful role. It is important to understand the significance of guiding and supporting individuals and families through the difficult and often overwhelming process of end-of-life arrangements. AFCCA and its members strive to challenge the traditional norms and create a more …

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NFDA Celebrates Members for Excellence in Service to Families and Communities

2023 Pursuit of Excellence Award honorees will be recognized during the NFDA International Convention & Expo The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is delighted to announce the funeral businesses that earned a 2023 Pursuit of Excellence Award. For more than 40 years, NFDA has presented this award to firms that have demonstrated a commitment to raising the bar on funeral service excellence by adhering to strict ethical and professional standards and providing outstanding service to …

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Contradiction in OSHA’s Crane and Derricks Construction Standard

The National Concrete Burial Vault Association brought to our attention of an error in the online (only) version of the “OSHA’s Crane and Derricks Construction Standard” that states that the movement/placement of burial vaults is a construction activity, when in fact there was a 2013 ruling that placing burial vaults is NOT a construction activity. Why This Matters The ruling in 2013 has equated a savings of thousands of dollars per burial vault company EACH …

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