For Immediate Release: February 21, 2022
Brookfield, Wis. – For its 2022 Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is offering embalmers of all skill levels a chance to participate in a hands-on workshop during which they can sharpen their restoration skills. The seminar will take place April 28-29 at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The seminar will be led by some of the country’s most respected authorities on embalming and restorative art:
- Michael Burns, CFSP, dean of faculty and students at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science
- Chris Farmer, NFDA general counsel
- Nicholas Ricci, instructor at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science
Using Headzo models, noted experts will guide attendees through hands-on sessions covering cranial reconstruction, restoration, cosmetic application and hair placement. Other sessions include Restorative Art; Principles and its Value; The Anatomy of Facial Features; and Embalming Risk Management. The presenters will also host an Ask the Experts panel during which they will explore attendees’ most pressing questions.
On March 10, NFDA will host a free webinar during which Burns and Ricci will offer a sneak peek at what attendees can expect during the in-person seminar. To register for this event, visit www.nfda.org/events (there is no CE for this event).
Space at the 2022 Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar is limited to 60 participants to ensure each attendee has the most engaging experience possible. Registration closes April 20:
- NFDA member licensed funeral director: $349
- Nonmember licensed funeral director: $399
- Student/Apprentice: $100
Complete details about the 2022 NFDA Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar, including information about how to register, can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/embalmingseminar. Funeral service professionals may also call NFDA at 800-228-6332 for information and to register.
There are a number of hotels located near the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science; attendees may visit www.nfda.org/embalmingseminar for recommendations.
Keep Your Embalming Skills Sharp With NFDA
On July 14, NFDA will host the Virtual Roundtable event, 10 Tips for Expanding Your Mortuary Cosmetic Kit. Presenter Amanda Marie Eilis King will share techniques to help embalmers become better at achieving a more natural appearance when cosmetizing the deceased. Funeral professionals may register by visiting www.nfda.org/events or calling 800-228-6332.
Embalmers will also have a chance to refine their skills during the 2022 NFDA International Convention & Expo, taking place October 9-12 in Baltimore, Maryland. Technical skills will be covered during a preconvention seminar and several education sessions. Look for full details when registration for the NFDA Convention opens on July 1 (www.nfda.org/convention).
For embalmers who are not yet comfortable traveling – or for whom travel does not fit with the demands of their business – NFDA offers several online learning and home study courses focused on technical skills. Courses cover a variety of topics and enable funeral professionals to boost their skills wherever and whenever they have Internet access. A full list of online learning and home study courses can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/education (select the “Home Study & Online Learning Courses” button).
NFDA developed a consumer brochure, Embalming: Answers to Your Questions, to help families understand the embalming process, the value of viewings and visitations as part of end-of-life rituals, and answers common questions. The brochure can be ordered through the NFDA Resource Store, www.nfda.org/store, or by calling 800-228-6332.
Funeral directors may also want to encourage families they serve to visit NFDA’s consumer-facing website, www.RememberingALife.com, which serves as a guide to honoring a life well-lived, from planning a tribute to mourning a loved one. The site offers guidance on how to start the planning process, the kinds of decisions families will make, and the many options available to make a tribute personal and meaningful. The site highlights information on service options (including embalming and the value of viewing); details about cremation and burial; and prefunding options.
COVID Advisory
NFDA strongly recommends that attendees at the NFDA Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending the Seminar. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious virus that is easily spread by person-to-person contact, especially in indoor areas with multiple attendees. Participating in NFDA’s Seminar could increase the risk of contracting COVID-19, especially for those who are not fully vaccinated.
All attendees will be required to strictly comply with any safe practices required by government agencies and/or the venue where the Seminar will be held, including, but not limited to wearing facemasks, maintaining social distancing, and following the instructions of NFDA and venue staff. By registering for the Seminar, each attendee acknowledges and assumes the risk of being exposed to COVID-19.
About NFDA
NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving more than 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.
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Media Contact: Jessica Koth, 262-814-1536, jkoth@nfda.org