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Advocacy Alert: NFDA Brings Funeral Service Expertise to Congress on Veterans Issues

Association continues its longstanding role as a trusted voice on policies affecting funeral service, veterans and their families

NFDA Senior Vice President of Advocacy Lesley Witter was honored to testify on behalf of NFDA before the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, today, continuing the association’s longstanding role as a trusted voice on veterans issues.

NFDA was the only national funeral service association invited to provide testimony during the hearing. Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs regularly rely on NFDA as a trusted resource on veterans’ funeral, burial and memorial benefits. Through decades of advocacy and collaboration, NFDA has helped shape conversations about how our nation honors veterans and supports their families at the end of life.

Throughout her testimony, Witter emphasized a principle that guides funeral service professionals across the country: no veteran should be forgotten, no family should be denied meaningful access to earned benefits and every veteran deserves a dignified final resting place.

Click the image below to watch Witter’s testimony before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs:

“Funeral directors see firsthand how public policy affects veterans and their families,” Witter testified. “Because we work directly with families, agencies and community partners, we see where systems work well and where coordination is needed.”

During the hearing, Witter expressed NFDA’s support for three pieces of legislation:

Together, these bills would strengthen efforts to identify unclaimed veterans, expand access to earned burial benefits and support the organizations working to ensure every veteran receives the honor and recognition earned through service.

NFDA’s written testimony highlighted the extraordinary commitment funeral directors demonstrate on behalf of veterans. As NFDA President Daniel J. Ford, CFSP, CCSP, of Alderson-Ford Funeral Home in Cheshire, Connecticut, stated in the written testimony:

“Standing beside the remains of an unclaimed veteran is a powerful reminder that our obligation to those who served does not end when their military service ends. Even when no family is present, funeral directors are honored to help ensure these heroes are not forgotten. In that moment, we become the family that stands with them and says, ‘Your service mattered, and you will not be forgotten.’”

The written testimony also featured the experience of NFDA Treasurer Steve Spann, CFSP, COO, president of John A. Gupton Mortuary College in Nashville, Tennessee. Spann shared that for more than three decades, the college has worked with VA hospitals in Nashville and Murfreesboro to provide services for unclaimed veterans. Through those partnerships, the college helps approximately 10 to 20 veterans each year receive dignified final arrangements, including military honors and burial in a veterans cemetery.

Click here to read the written testimony.

Take Action Today

Congress heard NFDA’s testimony. Now it’s time for lawmakers to hear from funeral directors in their districts and states. By contacting your members of Congress, you can help to move these important pieces of legislation forward.

Step 1: Find Contact Information for Your Congressional Representatives

We encourage you to call or send an email to your members of Congress. Use the following links to find contact information for your representatives and senators:

Step 2: Call or Send a Message

We’ve done the hard work for you! Below are sample messages you can send to your representative and senators. These messages can also serve as guides for a phone conversation. Personal stories can be especially powerful, so consider sharing an example from your own experience serving veterans and their families.

Message for Your U.S. Representative

Subject: Please Support Veterans Funeral and Burial Legislation

Dear Representative [Last Name]:

As your constituent and a funeral director, I urge you to support passage of three important pieces of legislation that would strengthen funeral and burial benefits for veterans and their families.

Every day, funeral directors have the privilege of helping veterans and their families at one of the most difficult times in their lives. We help families secure military honors, navigate veterans’ benefits and ensure those who served our nation are remembered with dignity and respect.

The legislation includes three important measures that would make a meaningful difference for veteran families.

  • The Locating Our Unclaimed Veterans Act (H.R. 9006) would improve efforts to identify unclaimed veterans and locate surviving family members, helping ensure no veteran is forgotten.
  • The Unclaimed Veterans’ Legacy Grant Program Act (H.R. 9321) would strengthen support for organizations working to identify, locate and honor unclaimed veterans, ensuring they receive the recognition and dignified final disposition they earned through service.
  • The Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act (H.R. 6921) would expand long-term access to national cemetery burial options for veterans and eligible family members in Hawai‘i.

These are not partisan issues. They are practical improvements that honor military service, support families and help fulfill our nation’s commitment to those who wore the uniform.

I respectfully urge you to support these important measures and help move them forward in Congress.

Thank you for your service to our community and for your support of America’s veterans.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Funeral Home]

[City, State]

Message for Your U.S. Senators

Subject: Please Support Veterans Funeral and Burial Legislation

Dear Senator [Last Name]:

As your constituent and a funeral director, I urge you to support passage of the Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act (S. 3613) and introduce Senate companion legislation to the Locating Our Unclaimed Veterans Act (H.R. 9006) and the Unclaimed Veterans’ Legacy Grant Program Act (H.R. 9321).

Every day, funeral directors have the privilege of helping veterans and their families at one of the most difficult times in their lives. We help families secure military honors, navigate veterans’ benefits and ensure those who served our nation are remembered with dignity and respect.

These measures would make a meaningful difference for veterans and their loved ones.

  • The Locating Our Unclaimed Veterans Act would improve efforts to identify unclaimed veterans and locate surviving family members, helping ensure no veteran is forgotten.
  • The Unclaimed Veterans’ Legacy Grant Program Act would strengthen support for organizations working to identify, locate and honor unclaimed veterans.
  • The Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act would expand long-term access to national cemetery burial options for veterans and eligible family members in Hawai‘i.

Together, these measures help ensure veterans receive the dignity, recognition and benefits they earned through service.

I respectfully urge you to support these efforts and help advance legislation that honors our nation’s commitment to veterans and their families.

Thank you for your service to our community and for your support of America’s veterans.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Funeral Home]

[City, State]

When NFDA Speaks, Congress Listens.

The issues discussed during today’s hearing directly affect veterans, their families and the funeral professionals who help them navigate earned benefits and final arrangements. By sharing your perspective with lawmakers, you can help ensure these important measures continue moving forward.

Thank you for lending your voice to these efforts. Together, we can help ensure every veteran receives the dignity, recognition and benefits earned through service to our nation.