During its October convention, NFDA awarded its 2024 Pursuit of Excellence Award to Dignity Memorial providers Grace Funeral Home & St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden, and Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries.

Funeral directors Katie Farris and Mary Artigue of Grace Funeral Home accepted the award on behalf of the two New Orleans-area Dignity Memorial properties.

Said Jerry Schoen, funeral director and director of community relations at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home: “It is always an honor to receive the Pursuit of Excellence Award, but being able to accept it at an NFDA convention hosted in our hometown makes it especially meaningful. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our teams at Grace and Lake Lawn – hardworking professionals who consistently bring comfort and personalized, compassionate care to the families we serve.”

To qualify for an NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, a funeral home must meet or surpass the association’s comprehensive criteria, which includes adherence to state and federal regulations, ongoing staff education and active community involvement. The award recognizes funeral homes that provide outstanding programs and resources for bereaved families, actively contribute to the funeral service profession and effectively promote their services through various marketing, advertising and public relations efforts. All participants in the program must also commit to NFDA’s Pledge of Ethical Practices. dignitymemorial.com