NFDA Inspiration Award
Applications for the 2025 Inspiration Award will be accepted January 15 – February 17, 12 p.m. CT, 2025.
The National Funeral Directors Association’s Inspiration Award will be conferred annually on an exceptional woman who has made noteworthy professional contributions to funeral service or a related field.
The ideal nominee is an enterprising individual who consistently takes the initiative to elevate the funeral service profession. They serve as a mentor to colleagues. Their energy and independent spirit serve as an example to others. Their efforts result in significant accomplishments at the local, national and/or international level.
Leili McMurrough, 2024 Inspiration Award winner, talks about the importance of recognizing women in funeral service.
Criteria
- Open to anyone currently employed in the funeral service profession or a deathcare-related field with a minimum of five years’ experience, working directly with families.
- Is actively involved in community and professional service organizations.
- Is actively involved in efforts to educate the public about the value of meaningful memorialization and/or funeral directors.
- Is actively involved in professional development activities.
- Individuals cannot nominate themselves.
Guidelines
- The NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Inspiration Award is not necessarily an annual award. It will be presented if and when appropriate candidates are nominated and approved by a panel of judges.
- Nominations meeting the established criteria will be evaluated by a panel of judges. Decisions of the judges are final.
- A standard evaluation form, based on established criteria, will be used to judge each nominee.
- The nominee who receives the highest evaluation will receive the award, which will be presented during the 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference
- The nominating party and his or her winning nominee will be informed via email of the results. Other nominating parties will also be informed via email of the results.