Step 1: Register Your Firm for the 2027 Pursuit of Excellence Program

Funeral businesses need only submit one entry representing the work and accomplishments of all locations that operationally share staff and resources.
 
For funeral businesses with locations in two or more states, an entry is limited to locations within a single state that, operationally, share staff and resources.
 
Program Registration Fee:
Your registration fee is based on the number of locations in your business.
– Main Location: $325 (U.S. Dollars)
– Each Additional Location: $100 each (U.S. Dollars)
 
If a multi-location funeral business does not register all of its branch locations, it cannot rightfully claim the entire business has earned the award. Only those particular funeral home locations that have registered and received recognition in the Pursuit of Excellence program may hold themselves as Pursuit of Excellence honorees.
 
For some firms, registering and submitting a single entry for all locations doesn’t make sense because of how their business operates. Some funeral homes may simply prefer registering and submitting an entry for each individual location. In that case, that business may register each location separately and submit an entry for each individual location. The registration fee will be $325 per location.

To Register Your Funeral Home:
Please contact your NFDA Member Service Representative at 262-789-1880 or nfda@nfda.org.

Your Member Service Representative can take your credit or debit card payment by phone or, if you contact us by email, send an invoice with instructions for payment by check or credit or debit card.
 
Please note: A fee of up to 3% may be assessed on all applicable credit card transactions, governed by the card brand rules.

Step 2: Prepare Your Entry

Download the 2027 registration and application materials, which will help you understand the criteria that must be fulfilled and serve as your guide to submitting an entry.

Download in English
Download in Spanish

NFDA will again use the Survey Monkey Apply platform for the submission of entries in 2027. The platform enables you to log in, work on your entry, save your work, and continue to work on it at another time. 

All entries must be submitted via Survey Monkey Apply, no exceptions. Entries will not be accepted by fax, mail, email, etc. 

If you need assistance using Survey Monkey Apply, see the FAQs below. 

Step 3: Submit Your Entry

Your entry must be finalized and submitted to NFDA using the Survey Monkey Apply platform by 11:59 p.m. CT on July 15, 2027. 

To submit your entry, click the green “Submit” button in Survey Monkey Apply. You should receive a confirmation email upon submission and the system will indicate your entry has been submitted. If you wish to confirm submission, please send an email to pursuit@nfda.org.  

Late entries will not be accepted, no exceptions.

Seven Tips for Pursuit of Excellence Success

1. Don’t wait until the last minute! Putting together an entry does require an investment of time, so get started on your funeral home’s application today! 

2. Make it a team effort. Our easy-to-use online entry platform enables you to work on your entry, save it and work on it another day. You can even invite other staff members to contribute information to your entry. 

3. Be specific. As you are describing how you have fulfilled a criterion, include names, dates, locations and places as appropriate. More information is always better. 

4. Don’t forget your documentation. If documentation is required for a particular criterion, it’s noted in the online application. If you have documentation for other criteria, you’re welcome to submit it as well.

5. Submit your entry. Once your entry is complete, be sure to click the green “Submit” button to officially transmit your entry to NFDA. Once you click the button, Survey Monkey Apply will show that your entry has been submitted and you will receive a confirmation email. 

6. Don’t be late! The deadline to submit your entry is 11:59 p.m. CT on July 15. To be fair to those who make the deadline, we’re unable to make exceptions to the deadline.

7. Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact us at pursuit@nfda.org or 800-228-6332 (262-789-1880).