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 …

Read more

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 …

Read more

AFCCA Advocacy Updates January 11

Our clean up bill from last year’s legislation, HB2140,  has been introduced and will be sponsored by Rep. Hendrix.  Courtney LeVinus joined our January Board of Directors meeting to provide an update. Page 4 of her slide deck shows the key points of cleanup in the bill. The board feels strongly that we do need to keep the state exam as a requirement, even if it’s very basic, standard questions that every licensee should know. …

Read more

Self Care for Funeral Professionals During the Holidays

Between family obligations, work commitments and winter weather, the holiday season brings a  stressful experience. Take some time for yourself next week and join the virtual December Funeral Professionals Peer Support meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT. Long nights, family obligations and the strain of a busy workplace are often the hallmarks of this festive month — but a connection with your fellow …

Read more

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 …

Read more

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% …

Read more

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. …

Read more

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 …

Read more

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 …

Read more

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. …

Read more