Want to get even more out of your time in Charlotte?

Arrive in Charlotte a little early for the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo and take advantage of an NFDA Preconvention Seminar. These extended learning experiences give you more time to dig into some of the complex issues shaping funeral service – from navigating challenging arrangement conferences and changing conversations around cremation to building stronger partnerships with other professionals who care for families at the end of life.

Choose the topic that matters most to you and start Convention with practical ideas, new perspectives and meaningful conversations you can carry into the week ahead.

The Art & Weight of the Arrangement Conference: Navigating Complexity in Deathcare

Saturday, October 24 | Noon-4 p.m. | 4 CE hours
Presenter: Lanae Strovers, LFD
Sponsored by Tribute Technology

Some arrangement conferences are straightforward. Others require you to navigate complicated family dynamics, difficult decisions, ethical questions and deeply emotional conversations – sometimes all at once.

Designed as an interactive master class for experienced funeral directors, this seminar takes a deeper look at the art and emotional weight of the arrangement conference. Through real-world case studies, guided discussion and reflective exercises, you’ll explore difficult arrangement situations, legal and ethical challenges, cultural humility, the role of technology and the power of the language you use with families.

You’ll also consider the impact this emotionally demanding work can have on you as a funeral professional and explore ways to strengthen your communication, leadership and professional resilience.

Registration: $255 for NFDA members and qualifying nonmembers; $315 for nonmember funeral directors; $160 for mortuary students.

Cremation Conversations: Decisions, Meaning and the Future of Disposition

Date/Time: See NFDA Convention website | 4 CE hours
Presenter: Timothy Copeland, MS, LFD, CCO
Sponsored by Implant Recycling LLC, with additional support from American Crematory Equipment and Federated Insurance

Cremation may describe the method of disposition, but the decisions surrounding it involve much more.

Families bring grief, relationships, traditions, values and expectations to every cremation arrangement. At the same time, cultural attitudes toward disposition continue to evolve and new options are emerging.

This master class goes beyond the technical aspects of cremation to examine the human decisions surrounding it. You’ll explore how grief and family dynamics influence cremation choices, discuss ways to help families create meaningful opportunities for remembrance, consider approaches to complex family situations and examine emerging disposition options that may influence the future of funeral service.

The goal: help you think more deeply about the conversations you’re having with cremation families – and how you can continue to bring meaning to those conversations as preferences evolve.

Registration: $255 for NFDA members and qualifying nonmembers; $315 for nonmember funeral directors; $160 for mortuary students.

Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Partnerships Among Funeral Professionals, End-of-life Doulas and Hospice Teams

Sunday, October 25 | 8-11 a.m. | 3 CE hours
Presenter: Timothy Copeland, MS, LFD, CCO

Families don’t experience end-of-life care in professional silos. Hospice professionals, end-of-life doulas and funeral directors may enter a family’s life at different points, but each plays an important role in supporting people before, during and after a death.

What could happen if those professionals understood one another better – and worked more closely together?

This interactive seminar brings funeral professionals, end-of-life doulas and hospice caregivers into the same conversation. Through candid panel discussions, you’ll hear real-world perspectives on the opportunities and challenges that arise when these professions intersect.

You’ll also participate in activities designed to strengthen communication, identify shared goals and build better cross-disciplinary relationships. Whether you want to expand your professional network in your community or strengthen relationships you already have, you’ll leave with practical strategies for working together more effectively in service to families.

Registration: $195 for NFDA members and qualifying nonmembers; $255 for nonmember funeral directors; $100 for mortuary students.

Add a Preconvention Seminar to Your Charlotte Plans

Each Preconvention Seminar requires separate registration in addition to your Convention registration, so don’t wait until you arrive in Charlotte to decide.

Come early. Dig deeper. And get your 2026 NFDA Convention experience off to a great start.

Visit the Preconvention Seminars page at NFDA.org/Convention for complete seminar details, CE approval information and registration.