Special Bulletin

NFDA to Aid Funeral Service Hit by Katrina

NFDA extends its deepest concerns and sympathies to all who have lost lives, homes and businesses as Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. Funeral service – so critical to disaster response – has also been compromised and, in some cases, rendered unable to serve.

Many caring NFDA-member funeral directors and funeral service suppliers have already asked about volunteering time, money and resources as part of a clean-up and restoration effort. To assist funeral service in the Gulf Coast area, NFDA has again activated the Disaster Relief Fund and has called for volunteers and funeral service supplies.

“All at NFDA are concerned about the way this disaster has impacted scores of funeral homes in Louisiana, Mississippi and surrounding states,” said NFDA Chief Executive Officer Christine Pepper, CAE. “Homes have been crushed; businesses have been washed away. We are assessing the situation as best we can. Our first concern is to do what we can to get these funeral service firms back on their feet. We have made the decision to begin collecting funds, supplies and volunteer names in order to be ready to respond to needs in those states.

“We know we can count on our members and friends to come to the need of their peers, customers and colleagues. I’m sure you will understand that the state executive directors in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi are not able to take calls at this time. I hope instead we can share concerns and questions with the entire membership through our Website.”

NFDA asks its members, funeral service suppliers, and domestic and international allied organizations to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund. All contributions will be directed to support efforts to relieve and support funeral directors affected by Katrina as they work to re-establish business in order to serve families.

To help now:

• To make a tax-deductable donation online, click here.
  
  

• To donate funds, time or supplies, download a donation form and sent it to NFDA.
  
  

• You can also send a check payable to:
  
  Disaster Relief Fund
  c/o Funeral Service Foundation
  13625 Bishop’s Drive
  Brookfield, WI 53005
  
  

• Stay in touch with NFDA colleagues and friends, post messages and read the news from those involved in the disaster at http://nfda.blogspot.com.

Lastly, consider donating blood to the American Red Cross on behalf of funeral service. Together, we can help get funeral service back on its feet for Gulf Coast families.