For Immediate Release: October 9, 2026

Members approve temporary Board seats related to proposed merger with Selected Independent Funeral Homes and separate technical updates to association Bylaws

Brookfield, Wis. – Members of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) have approved two proposed amendments to the association’s Bylaws, including changes related to the proposed merger with Selected Independent Funeral Homes (Selected) and a separate set of technical and administrative updates. Both proposals exceeded the required two-thirds majority of votes cast.

Voting concluded October 7, 2026. The two proposals appeared as separate ballot questions, allowing eligible NFDA members to vote independently on each measure. Information about the ballot questions is available to association members at nfda.org/elections.

Proposal 1: Temporary Board Seats Related to Proposed Merger with Selected

NFDA members approved, contingent upon the closing of the merger with Selected, the creation of two temporary seats on the NFDA Board of Directors. The measure passed with 69.8% voting in favor of the measure (609 votes) and 30.2% voting against (264 votes).

Under the proposed arrangement, if the merger with Selected is completed, the two additional Board seats would remain in place for two consecutive two-year terms, beginning with the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo and concluding at the 2030 NFDA International Convention & Expo.

The seats would be filled by individuals nominated by the Selected Executive Council, subject to approval through NFDA’s existing committee appointment process.

While NFDA members have approved these Bylaws amendments, the proposed merger remains subject to the outcome of Selected’s member vote and signing a final merger agreement.

Proposal 2: Technical and Administrative Updates to the NFDA Bylaws

NFDA members also approved a separate set of technical and administrative amendments to the association’s Bylaws. The measure passed with 78.8% voting in favor of the change (688 votes) and 21.2% voting against (185 votes).

These amendments, which are unrelated to the proposed merger, include:

• Removing outdated or irrelevant provisions.
• Updating NFDA’s nondiscrimination policy to reflect changes in applicable laws.
• Maintaining percentage-based supermajority voting requirements for certain Bylaws provisions.
• Allowing the Board to nominate officer and at-large candidates when no eligible candidates are available.
• Establishing a process for removing a Board member for cause.
• Providing greater flexibility in the nomination of State Association Representatives designated to vote for at-large Board candidates.

Update on Proposed Merger with Selected Independent Funeral Homes

While NFDA members have approved the Bylaws amendment related to the proposed merger, the results of Selected Independent Funeral Homes’ member vote and the final agreement have not yet been finalized.

NFDA is aware of a complaint filed in an Ohio court and a temporary restraining order that has delayed the vote by Selected members on the proposed merger. NFDA is not a party to the lawsuit.

“We appreciate the members who took the time to review these proposals and participate in the voting process,” said NFDA CEO Christine Pepper. “Their engagement is important to the governance and future of our association, and we are grateful for their participation.”

“While NFDA members have approved the Bylaws changes associated with the proposed merger, the ultimate decision about the proposed merger rests with Selected’s members,” Pepper continued. “We continue to believe that bringing our organizations together offers meaningful opportunities to preserve the extraordinary legacy of Selected while strengthening the services, resources and support available to funeral professionals. At the same time, we respect the legal process and the decision Selected members will ultimately make.”

NFDA will continue monitoring developments related to the proposed merger and will provide members with additional information as it becomes available.

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association representing 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit NFDA.org.

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Media Contact: Jessica Koth, 262-814-1536, JKoth@NFDA.org