What is NFDA?
What is NFDA's mission?
Who are NFDA's members?
What are some basic funeral service facts?
What are some of the trends in funeral service?
How does NFDA help its members serve consumers better?
What are some basic facts about death rates?
How can I find out more information on funeral service and NFDA?

What is NFDA?

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), founded in 1882, is the largest funeral service organization in the world. It is governed by a nine member Executive Board, a Policy Board made up of representatives from every state, and a House of Delegates. The number of delegates is based on the number of members in a state. NFDA's headquarters, staffed by 47 employees, is in Brookfield, Wisconsin. In 1997, NFDA added a government relations office in Washington, DC to handle legislative and regulatory issues for its members.

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The National Funeral Directors Association provides advocacy, education, information, products, programs and services to help members enhance the quality of service to families.

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The following points describe typical members of NFDA:

• Over 75% of NFDA members provide service to families in small towns or cities with populations of fewer than 50,000. Most, in fact, operate in rural towns with populations of fewer than 10,000.
• Ninety-three percent of NFDA members are small business owners/operators with an average of three full-time employees and three part-time employees. The average member funeral home conducts about 187 services per year.
• Approximately 90% of NFDA member funeral homes are family owned and operated and average 65 years in business. Approximately 10%, or 2,175 of these funeral homes, are owned by four corporations whose stock is publically traded, based on 2001 corporate figures.

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The following points demonstrate current funeral service facts:

• There are about 21,528 funeral homes in the United States. According to the 1997 U.S. Census of Service Industries, 16,031 have payrolls beyond their owners.
• These funeral homes employ 103,258 individuals and generate about $11 billion in revenue, creating a significant economic impact in America's cities, towns and villages; 68,258 are non-licensed funeral service and crematory personnel; 35,000 are licensed funeral professionals and eligible for NFDA membership.
• Eighty-nine percent or 19,160 of these funeral homes are owned by individuals, families or closely held private corporations and average 66 years in business.
• Eleven percent, or approximately 2,368 of these funeral homes, are owned by one of five publicly traded stock corporations.
• The average NFDA funeral home handles 182 calls per year: Some handle fewer than 50 calls per year and are often run by husband and wife; others handle hundreds of calls and may be owned by small companies or large corporations.
• The average NFDA funeral home has three full-time and three part-time employees.
• The average cost of a funeral, as of July 2004, is $6,500. That cost includes an outer burial container, but does not include cemetery costs.

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The following points highlight several of the current trends in funeral service, particularly those which impact the consumer:

• An increase in funeral home "aftercare" services, including support groups, remembrance services, community referrals and libraries.
• An increase in preplanning and prepayment of funerals.
• Increased government regulation, particularly in areas of occupational safety and health, often requiring the hiring of additional personnel in order to comply with the new regulations.
• More personalized service to accomodate the differing ideas of what is a traditional funeral and desires for various methods of disposition. Recent immigration trends mean funeral directors now serve people with differing funeral customs from all parts of the globe.
• An increase in the number of women and minorities entering the funeral service profession. For example, approximately one-third of current mortuary science enrollees are women.
• In many states, an increase in the educational requirements both to enter the profession and to retain a license.

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In order to help funeral directors provide better service to families, NFDA does the following:

• Provides a voice in Washington, D.C., and prepares materials on compliance with various federal government laws and regulations.
• Presents continuing education seminars at conferences and during its annual convention on topics related to public health, social science, business management, regulatory issues and funeral service ethics.
• Publishes a monthly magazine featuring educational articles.
• Conducts or funds research in areas of health, safety, the environment and consumer attitudes.
• Provides funding for funeral service education scholarships and research.
• Maintains affiliations with allied organizations in such fields as sociology, psychology, healthcare and theology.

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What are some basic facts about death rates?

• In 2003, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, there were 2,423,000 deaths in the United States.
• In 2003, the U.S. death rate was 8.3 people per thousand population.
• As a result of a growing population overall and of the longevity of the Baby Boomer generation, the U.S. death rate is expected to begin increasing by the year 2020 when the rate is projected to be 9.3 people per thousand.
• The U.S. death rate is expected to increase to 10.9 people per 1,000 by 2040.
• According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, the average life expectancy in 2002 was 79.9 years for a woman and 74.7 years for a man.
• The life expectancy in 1958 was 68 years for both genders.
• In 2005, cremation accounted for 38% of final dispositions in the United States.
• According to the Casket & Funeral Supply Association, in 2003, 76 percent of deaths were casketed and had some form of ritual or ceremony.

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How can I find out more information on funeral service and NFDA?

For more information on funeral service or the National Funeral Directors Association, you can email us or contact us at:

NFDA 13625 Bishop's Drive Brookfield, WI 53005 Toll-free: 800-228-6332 Phone: 262-789-1880 Fax: 262-789-6977 E-mail: nfda@nfda.org

NFDA, Washington DC Office 400 C Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-547-0441 Fax: 202-547-0726 E-mail: jfitch@nfda.org

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