For Immediate Release: February 8, 2012

Brookfield, Wis. – The fifth annual National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Asia Funeral Expo & Conference (AFE) will take place May 17-19 at the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong. This year, the Australian Funeral Directors Association and Necropolis Exhibition Russia will host events in conjunction with AFE, providing even more opportunities for funeral service professionals from around the world to build meaningful relationships, share ideas, and solve common challenges, which ultimately leads to improved service to the dying, the dead and the bereaved.

In 2011, AFE drew more than 3,000 attendees from 43 countries and regions around the world. Approximately 19 percent of attendees were from the Americas, Europe or Africa; 15 percent were from mainland China; and 66 percent were from throughout the rest of Asia and Australia.

AFE is continuing its tradition of offering workshops during which attendees will learn practical ideas for serving families. Workshop topics will include business operations, repatriation, cremation, cemetery operations and management, green funerals, and funeral cultures and customs from around the world.

NFDA President Randall Earl will participate in a panel discussion, "Learn From Mistakes," during which some of the world's leading funeral directors will share the lessons they have learned throughout their careers as they sought to overcome challenges in their businesses.

The Australia Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) will be holding its first convention abroad in conjunction with AFE. As a result, Australia will be the focus topic country throughout the conference and expo giving attendees a unique opportunity to learn about Australian funeral traditions, practices and culture through workshops and exhibits.

The AFE Expo Hall is a global showcase of the newest and most exciting products and services from around the world. The Expo Hall will include two new features in 2012:

• Necropolis Exhibition Russia, a leading Russian trade show, will be part of the exhibits and will be an international highlight for all who attend.
• The AFE Awards and Innovation Zone will offer attendees an opportunity to learn more about new and innovative products, technologies and services in funeral service.

The 2012 AFE registration fees are:

More information about the NFDA Asia Funeral Expo & Conference can be found by visiting www.nfda.org/afe. Funeral professionals interested in attending can also contact NFDA Vice President of International Relations Deborah Andres at 800-228-6332 (+1-262-814-1554) or dandres@nfda.org.

A variety of hotels near the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre are available to attendees – many are within walking distance. Prices for hotel rooms start at $86 per night plus taxes and fees. To learn more about hotel accommodations, visit www.nfda.org/afe and click on the "Hotel/Travel" link.

NFDA is the world's leading and largest funeral service association, serving 18,500 individual members who represent nearly 10,000 funeral homes in the United States and 43 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 www.nfda.org.

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Contact: Jessica Koth, 262-814-1536, jkoth@nfda.org