NFDA Membership
If you’re not already, this is the perfect time to become a member of the world’s largest funeral service association. Discover how NFDA can provide you with the resources you need, when you need them, to help you and your firm adapt and grow in the future. And if you are an NFDA member, then stop by to renew your NFDA membership and/or music/webcasting licenses.

NFDA Store
Shop for the latest products, community-outreach materials, NFDA merchandise and Remembering A Life items.

Funeral Service Foundation
The Funeral Service Foundation awards a variety of academic and professional development scholarships, offers professional and community resources, and makes grants to organizations that advance its mission of investing in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities. Learn how the Foundation offers support for every stage of your career, and how you can make a gift that will impact the profession.

NFDA Advocacy
NFDA has your back in Washington, D.C. Whether it’s veterans’ funeral and burial issues, federal mass fatality planning and response, small business and tax issues, body broker legislation, or representing your views to the EPA, OSHA, DoL, DoD, FTC, Congress and the White House, never doubt that your national association works to advocate for legislation and regulation that positively impacts your profession and business.

Learn the top Funeral Rule compliance issues; the steps your funeral home can take to avoid violating the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule; and the latest information on the commission’s review of the Funeral Rule.

Families form opinions about funeral homes long before they need one. This session explores how intentional, values-based marketing builds trust across the entire family journey – from early awareness and education to at-need service and aftercare. Attendees will learn practical strategies for consistent messaging, guiding families confidently during arrangements, and reinforcing trust afterward, all while maintaining authenticity and avoiding a sales-driven approach.

Independent funeral homes face rising costs, shrinking margins and growing competition. Strategic acquisition can strengthen market position and ensure long-term sustainability when done correctly. This session offers a practical guide to growing through acquisition and covers opportunity identification, valuation, financing, due diligence, and post-closing integration. Participants will learn how to preserve culture, retain key staff, protect brand reputation, and navigate the process from first contact to successful multi-location expansion.

This program explores how funeral service practitioners can go beyond the fundamentals of embalming and sanitary care to provide the best possible presentation of the decedent for their loved ones. With a focus on blending technical skill and holistic approaches, this webinar will cover practical techniques, case considerations, and meaningful details that elevate care. Attendees will gain insight into how clinical precision combined with compassionate attention to detail can make a lasting difference for families. Emphasis is placed on dignity, personalization, and intentional decision-making in both embalmed and non-embalmed cases, including family participation and specialized care situations.

This session examines how personal and professional growth drives retention in funeral homes. Attendees will learn why supporting both aspects is critical in emotionally demanding roles and gain simple, low-cost tactics and tools leaders can implement immediately to keep teams engaged, resilient and thriving.

Decomposition cases present unique challenges that require advanced preparation, specialized techniques and careful decision-making. This session explores practical approaches to managing decomposition during embalming, including assessment, chemical selection, odor control, and restoration strategies. Participants will gain insight into effective methods that help achieve the best possible presentation while maintaining safety, professionalism and respect for the deceased.

Funeral service professionals must guide families through deep loss while managing emotional and operational pressures. “Adversity Leadership: Leading with Clarity, Courage and Compassion in Times of Loss” equips attendees with practical tools to perform under pressure. Using the 3-C Framework (Clarity → Courage → Culture), Allison teaches strategies to strengthen resilience, communicate calmly, and lead with empathy in order to foster a culture of care within teams and organizations.

Learn how the Department of Veterans Affairs supports veterans and their families through funeral, burial, and survivor benefits programs. Explore current policies, available benefits, and evolving services designed to honor those who served our Nation. This presentation will provide guidance for funeral directors on VA burial benefits, memorial services, eligibility requirements, reimbursement processes, and coordination with national cemeteries and military funeral honors programs. Presented by Glenn Powers, Deputy Under Secretary for Field Programs and Cemetery Operations,  National Cemetery Administration.

Funeral directors have always been among the most trusted figures in the community, yet the modern family now expects deeper storytelling, broader celebration and more connection across every major life event. This session explores how funeral homes can reclaim and expand their historic role as community stewards in an age where families crave meaning, personalization and visibility. Through real-world examples, cultural insights and practical frameworks, attendees will learn how to elevate their service model, strengthen relationships and guide families through moments that matter – far beyond traditional arrangements.

Funeral professionals give endlessly, but when you’re constantly absorbing the pain, panic and emotional chaos of grieving families, it’s easy to slip into compassion fatigue without even noticing. This session offers an honest and actionable look at the emotional load funeral professionals carry, as well as a practical roadmap back to energy, clarity and genuine compassion. Participants will learn how to recognize early warning signs, reset their nervous system in real time, create simple routines that prevent burnout, and protect their capacity to serve with heart and sustainability.

Many funeral home owners and directors struggle to leverage online marketing effectively. In this session, Hong breaks down the fundamentals and explains why different techniques work for different goals: search optimization and pay-per-click for at-need services; social media for preneed; and strong websites, mobile compatibility, quality content and a solid online reputation for both. Attendees will learn how to adapt to evolving digital trends to gain a competitive advantage in their local markets.

Step into the Community Impact Zone and turn your convention experience into something truly powerful! This vibrant space buzzes with hands-on service projects that uplift local organizations and strengthen the communities we’re fortunate to visit.You’ll have the opportunity to make comforting fleece blankets that provide both physical warmth and a sense of security for animals awaiting adoption. The completed blankets will be donated to local animal shelters in Charlotte, helping provide comfort and care to pets as they wait for their “furever” homes. Stay tuned for other activities, as well!

Step into the NFDA Expo Hall and get ready for an experience – not just a trade show.

This is the world’s largest gathering of funeral service suppliers, innovators and trendsetters, all under one roof. Whether you’re scouting cutting-edge technology, eye-catching memorial merchandise or fresh ideas to elevate your services, the NFDA Expo Hall is your one-stop destination for what’s new and what’s next.

Stroll the aisles to test-drive the latest tools, compare smart solutions and meet the teams behind the products shaping the future of the profession. And don’t forget to take advantage of exclusive, show-only deals you won’t find anywhere else.

In short: if you want inspiration, innovation and maybe a few “Wow, I didn’t know that existed” moments, the NFDA Expo Hall is where it all happens.

The Expo … That Leaves Others in the Dust
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26: Noon – 5 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27: Noon – 5 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28: 9 a.m. – Noon

Across the United States, nearly 6,700 hospices will serve more than 1.8 million individuals this year, accounting for more than 50% of all deaths of Medicare beneficiaries. Clearly, understanding and being able to work alongside hospice organizations is integral to growing effective memorial businesses. In this workshop, veteran hospice and funeral service professionals come together to lead a conversation and help you discover what you need to know to start and grow an effective hospice outreach program in your organization, including help for making decisions about deploying your own team for the effort.

Moderator: Allan Cole, MacKinnon and Bowes; Bryant Hightower, Hightower Family Funeral Homes; Jimmy Lucas, Lucas Funeral Homes; Carmalita March-Harris, March Funeral Homes; Tim Schramm, Howe-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services; Bill Wimberly, Legacy Funeral Group

It’s the ultimate funeral service trivia challenge. Three person teams will compete against each other during preliminary rounds this summer, but then the action heats up on the NFDA Expo Hall floor during the live Wild Card and Championship rounds. Who will walk away as champions? Participate or cheer on the teams at this year’s convention to find out!

Enter by August 24. Sign up as an individual or team of three.

Funeral Face-off
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26: 3 – 4 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27: 3 – 4 p.m.

During this ceremony, you’ll hear from our current president, president-elect, and other members of the NFDA Board of Directors.

Join the NFDA Board of Directors for a quick celebration.

** By invitation only

*Additional fee required