The National Funeral Directors Association is proud to announce that Jennifer M. Schlosser, co-owner of Schlosser Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Wapakoneta, Ohio, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 NFDA Inspiration Award. Sponsored by National Guardian Life Insurance Company, this prestigious award honors an exceptional woman…
Read MoreWhat families want from a funeral is changing, and how funeral directors guide them through those conversations must evolve, too. More than ever, families are looking for services that are personal, authentic and reflective of the life being honored. To help funeral professionals meet that moment with confidence and creativity,…
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The National Funeral Directors Association is accepting applications through April 30 for the 2026–27 National Emerging Leaders Program, a year-long leadership development experience designed to prepare the next generation of funeral service leaders. Each year, a select group of 20 emerging professionals is chosen to take part in this collaborative…
Read MoreThe National Funeral Directors Association has announced a new endorsed provider partnership with Consumer Adjustment Company Inc. (CACi), expanding the Association’s portfolio of vetted solutions designed to support funeral homes in both compassionate care and sustainable business operations. CACi brings more than five decades of experience in accounts receivable management…
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The National Funeral Directors Association Leadership Development Committee has announced the slate of qualified candidates for open positions on the NFDA board of directors. Each year, NFDA members have the opportunity to help shape the future of funeral service by electing leaders who will guide the association’s priorities, strengthen advocacy…
Read MoreAfter more than a decade of building a respected cremation education program, the National Funeral Directors Association is implementing a thoughtful leadership transition to ensure its Cremation Certification Program remains on firm footing. For the past 12 years, Mike Nicodemus has served as NFDA’s vice president of cremation services and…
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The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is proud to announce the 22 funeral professionals selected to participate in the 2026 Meet the Mentors program. This signature leadership experience, made possible through the generous support of the Funeral Service Foundation, will take place April 14-17 in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with…
Read MoreThe National Funeral Directors Association will host its 2026 Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar in early May at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, offering funeral service professionals an immersive, skills-focused learning experience centered on advanced embalming techniques and restorative art application. The seminar will take place May 4–6 or…
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Change doesn’t happen on its own – it happens when funeral directors step forward, show up and speak up. That’s exactly what members of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) will do during the 2026 NFDA Advocacy Summit, taking place April 15–17, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Open to all NFDA…
Read More“I’ve heard about water cremation, but I don’t really know how it works.” “My loved one was a veteran. Is burial at sea possible?” “I want something greener.” “What exactly is natural organic reduction” “I just want to make the right choice.” These are just a few of the real…
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The National Funeral Directors Association is pleased to announce that the 2026 Meet the Mentors program will take place April 14-16, 2026, in Washington, D.C. This signature NFDA experience, which is held in conjunction with NFDA’s annual Advocacy Summit, offers early-career funeral professionals an unparalleled opportunity to learn directly from…
Read MoreRemembering A Life, the consumer education initiative of the National Funeral Directors Association, has introduced two new decks of conversation cards that funeral directors can use to inspire the families they serve to plan meaningful tributes to loved ones. Remembering A Life Funeral Planning Conversation Cards are brand new to…
Read MoreThe National Funeral Directors Association is proud to announce that Lesley Witter, senior vice president of advocacy, has been named one of the 2025 Top Lobbyists by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics. This prestigious, merit-based honor recognizes 100 government affairs professionals nationwide who have demonstrated exceptional legislative success,…
Read MoreAmericans are choosing cremation more than ever before, setting a new milestone in funeral service trends for 2025. According to the National Funeral Directors Association's 2025 Cremation & Burial Report, the U.S. cremation rate will reach 63.4% this year, more than double the projected burial rate of 31.6%. These shifting…
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