NFDA News

Because NFDA is recognized as an expert resource on funeral and burial matters in Washington, D.C., many federal agencies contact us for information and/or help gathering information from you, our nation’s funeral directors. 

The service you provide the deceased and grieving families is important to federal agencies in Washington, D.C. They value your expertise and the perspective you provide. These agency partnerships with NFDA are critical in highlighting funeral service issues. 

Who Needs Your Help

The Bureau of Justice Statistics recently launched a new Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC) to better understand the current workloads and resources available among the agencies that conduct medicolegal death investigations across the United States. 

In 2004, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) created the Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC), which was the first nationwide data collection effort designed to capture crucial information regarding the patchwork of Medical Examiner and Coroner offices across the United States. RTI International (RTI) conducted the CMEC on behalf of BJS, and subsequently completed a second iteration of the census in 2018.  The report from the 2018 CMEC can be found at https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/meco18.pdf. 

Help Needed by December 13

NFDA’s lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Lesley Witter, MPA, CAE, Senior Vice President Advocacy, works closely with the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners because some NFDA members are also the local coroner or medical examiner. 

A new survey is being conducted to provide much-needed national statistics on emerging issues and challenges facing the nation’s coroners and medical examiners during 2023. 

All eligible agencies should have received a letter and email from RTI International with login information to the CMEC survey. Topics covered include budget, staffing and salaries, caseload, and other relevant measures and practices (e.g. where autopsies are performed, how many scene investigations are done), with some changes made to the questions based on feedback from those in the medicolegal death investigation community.

If you are a local coroner or medical examiner in your community, your participation is requested and needed. Find and complete your survey by December 13. You can contact RTI at cmec@rti.org for more information or with any questions.

NFDA has built a strong legacy as the voice of funeral service on Capitol Hill through its continuous advocacy and expert guidance. NFDA closely collaborates with key Congressional committees, federal agencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans service organizations to ensure that the perspectives of funeral directors are effectively communicated and represented.