Step 1: Submit Your Registration Form

All participants must submit a registration form and payment, by the entry deadline, July 15, 2026. Download the registration form and submit it, along with your payment, to NFDA:
– Fax: 262-789-6977
– Mail: NFDA; Attn: Pursuit of Excellence; 13625 Bishop’s Dr.; Brookfield, WI 53005, USA
– Phone: Call 262-789-1880 and an NFDA member service representative can take your payment by phone

Step 2: Prepare Your Entry

Download the 2026 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 2026. 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. 

Look for a video overview of how to prepare your entry using survey monkey apply and other useful FAQ documents 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, 2026. 

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).