Your voice matters. Your leadership can shape the future.

Application Instructions & Online Form

The 2026 deadline for Officer and At-Large Representative applications will be 4 p.m. Central time on Monday, February 2, 2026.

To be considered for a position on the NFDA Board of Directors, each applicant must be an Individual Member of NFDA. An Individual Member is defined by the NFDA Bylaws as a Practitioner who owns or is employed by a Firm Member. A Practitioner is an individual who, to the extent required by State law, possesses all the necessary licenses to engage in the profession of funeral directing and/or embalming. Any Practitioner who does not own nor is employed by a Firm Member may become an Individual Member of NFDA by making written application and agreeing to all conditions of membership. Individual Members do not include Retired, Student, Apprentice, Associate or International Members. (Reference NFDA's Bylaws)

Individual Members of NFDA must submit the following information electronically to be considered by the Leadership Development Committee for an open position on the NFDA Board of Directors. 

A candidate for a Board position must meet all qualifications for the position they are applying. Qualifications for board positions, by office, can be found here.

NFDA Board Member Time Commitment and Expectations

As an ambassador for the work of the Association, the NFDA Board members participate in state association conventions, national funeral service committees and work groups and our own board meetings and NFDA events.

This volunteer work is a commitment that takes time away from your business.

When you apply, please ensure you have made arrangements in your business and personal life to handle this commitment.

What’s Involved

• Term Length:
  • Board positions are 1-year terms, At-Large Representatives are 2-year terms.
  • They begin the day after convention, to the last day of convention the following year. For At-Large Representatives, there will be orientation and other meetings prior to your first official Board meeting.
• Meetings:
  • About 4 in-person meetings per year,
  • Assigned state conventions, service on committee(s),
  • Spokesperson training,
  • On Boarding meeting your first year
  • 2-3 hours each week for unannounced meetings, calls or emails.
• Expectations:
  • Attend meetings, prepare in advance, and serve as an ambassador for NFDA and a role model for Funeral Service. 
  • Board material packet reviews for meetings (up to 100 pages)
  • Adhering to the ethical practices of the Board of Directors.
  • Supporting NFDA efforts with time and finances, such as Pursuit of Excellence, Advocacy, the Heritage Club and Funeral Service Foundation.
• Considerations:
  • Ability to be away from your business/employment for 20-50 days per year, as well as from your family/community or other commitments.
  • Spending between 4-10 hours in preparation for each in-person Board meeting.
  • As a candidate attending NFDA events and state conventions on your own finances.
  • Spending several thousand dollars in support of Advocacy,
• Support: Orientation and resources are provided to help you succeed!

Successful candidates:

• Will have served on a local, state or national level board, preferably in funeral service and not the board for the funeral home/organization they work for. The board the candidate served on will have overseen operations for the group, reviewed annual budgets, reviewed Mission statements or bylaws, and other similar activities.

Application Instructions

To be considered for a position on the NFDA Board of Directors, each applicant must be an Individual Member of NFDA. An Individual Member is defined by the NFDA Bylaws as a Practitioner who owns or is employed by a Firm Member. A Practitioner is an individual who, to the extent required by State law, possesses all the necessary licenses to engage in the profession of funeral directing and/or embalming. Any Practitioner who does not own nor is employed by a Firm Member may become an Individual Member of NFDA by making written application and agreeing to all conditions of membership. Individual Members do not include Retired, Student, Apprentice, Associate or International Members. (Reference NFDA's Bylaws)

Individual Members of NFDA must submit the following information electronically to be considered by the Leadership Development Committee for an open position on the NFDA Board of Directors. 

All pieces must be received by 4 p.m. Central Time on Monday, February 2, 2026.

• Completed, signed and dated online application form (incomplete applications will not be considered)
• A head and shoulders electronic photo of yourself (format: Hi Res jpeg 300DPi or above) to be submitted.

Please proofread your application carefully. If you are accepted as a qualified candidate, your photo, biographical information, and campaign statement may be published verbatim in NFDA print and electronic publications and on NFDA’s website.

Information provided in your application will be subject to verification by NFDA, including but not limited to conducting background, criminal and credit reports.

As part of your completed online application you will be asked to upload your photo. You will also be asked to upload a short video (no more than 2 minutes) The same question will be asked to all candidates. Instructions are in the application. Your video will be used on the NFDA website for members to view.

Have questions?  Please email campaign@nfda.org or call Kim Klotz at 800-228-6332.

Sample Application

A printable sample of the application is provided for your information and reference in preparing your responses to questions included on the online application. Applications must be submitted via the online application form.