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For Immediate Release: January 15, 2025

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is now accepting nominations for the third annual NFDA Inspiration Award. This prestigious award, presented during the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, celebrates a distinguished and accomplished woman who has made meaningful contributions to the funeral service profession or a related field. NFDA thanks National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) for generously sponsoring this award.

Nominations will be accepted online through February 17, 2025. The Inspiration Award recognizes individuals who consistently take the initiative to elevate the funeral service profession. Ideal nominees are enterprising leaders who mentor colleagues, inspire their peers and demonstrate a passion and energy that sets a powerful example for others. They must also have achieved significant accomplishments at the local, state, national or international level.

“As more women step into leadership roles in funeral service, it’s vital to honor the incredible impact they’re making on this profession,” said NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, MBA, CAE. “The Inspiration Award is a testament to the trailblazers who have broken barriers, mentored others and elevated the standard of excellence in funeral service. NFDA is proud to recognize these extraordinary individuals.”

“It’s an honor to support this initiative and celebrate women making a profound difference in funeral service,” said Jennifer Kaset, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, NGL. “The Inspiration Award highlights the passion, leadership and dedication that women bring to this profession, and I look forward to seeing this year’s deserving recipient recognized.”

Nominees must be currently employed in the funeral service profession or a deathcare-related field and have a minimum of five years of experience working directly with families. In addition, nominees must:

• Actively work to elevate the funeral service profession.
• Engage in community and professional service organizations.
• Educate the public about the value of meaningful memorialization and the role of funeral directors.
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities.

Nominations can be submitted online until 5 p.m. CT on February 17, 2025, at NFDA.org/InspirationAward.

A distinguished panel of judges will select the winner, who will receive a complimentary registration for the 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference and up to $1,000 to cover expenses for attending the conference, during which the award will be presented. (The 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference will take place May 15-18 in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.)

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving 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