“Think Pink” Day for Breast Cancer Awareness

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness at the convention by wearing pink!

All times shown are Eastern Time.

NFDA does not endorse and is not responsible for views expressed by the speakers.
Workshop recordings will be available for purchase in the NFDA store.

7 a.m. - 5 p.m. | NFDA Central

NFDA Membership
If you’re not already, this is the perfect time to become a member of the world’s largest funeral service association. Discover how NFDA can provide you with the resources you need, when you need them, to help you and your firm adapt and grow in the future. And if you are an NFDA member, then stop by to renew your NFDA membership and/or music/webcasting licenses.

NFDA Store
Shop for the latest products, community-outreach materials, NFDA merchandise and Remembering A Life items.

Funeral Service Foundation
The Funeral Service Foundation awards a variety of academic and professional development scholarships, offers professional and community resources, and makes grants to organizations that advance its mission of investing in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities. Learn how the Foundation offers support for every stage of your career, and how you can make a gift that will impact the profession.

NFDA Live
Join NFDA’s podcast host, Gabe Schauf, at the NFDA Live stage to hear 15-minute interviews with industry movers and shakers, as well as special guests. 

NFDA Advocacy
NFDA has your back in Washington, D.C. Whether it’s veterans’ funeral and burial issues, federal mass fatality planning and response, small business and tax issues, body broker legislation, or representing your views to the EPA, OSHA, DoL, DoD, FTC, Congress and the White House, never doubt that your national association works to advocate for legislation and regulation that positively impacts your profession and business.


7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Workshops (1 CE hour)

What the Heck Should I Do with All This Tech?!

Technology
Zack Garbow
Co-founder | Funeral Innovations

The wide array of technology solutions for funeral homes can be overwhelming, especially for those who are not familiar with them. Learn what technology solutions are available in the funeral space, how they can benefit your firm and your families, and how to determine which solutions make the most sense for your firm. We’ll broadly talk about the benefits of case management software, marketing automation software, online payment platforms, and websites for funeral homes. (1 CE hour)


7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Workshops (2 CE hours)

Suicide Death and Risk in a Post-COVID World

Grief & Bereavement
Sara Murphy, PhD, CT
Lecturer of Thanatology | University of Rhode Island

There may be no cause of death more silenced, stigmatized, and misunderstood than a death of suicide. As both a leading cause of death and a public health crisis, suicide is often hidden in plain sight within both private and public spaces. Persons at risk for suicide death as well as those who are bereaved by suicide loss frequently do not receive the support they need, even from helping professionals. We’ll explore the factors contributing to complicated grief and to suicide risk in the complex context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gain insight on how you can offer opportunities to contribute positively to professional and community responses to suicide. (2 CE hours)


Dover Port Mortuary Full Body Wrap Demonstration

Technical Skills
Danielle Wilk
Mortuary Specialist | Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations

Dover Air Force Base has been home to the mortuary since 1955. It is the duty of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations to provide America's fallen heroes with the utmost dignity, honor, and respect.  These heroes have stepped up and fought for freedom and democracy, not only for the United States, but for those who could not fight for themselves and they deserve our greatest respect. See firsthand an alternative to a closed casket for non-viewable remains and learn the standard process and how to personalize this method to each individual served. (2 CE hours)


Cracking the Code to What Customers Crave

Business Operations Customer Service
Georganne Bender
Partner | Kizer & Bender Speaking!
Richard Kizer
Partner | Kizer & Bender Speaking!

We live in a world where great customer service is expected, but sometimes great isn’t good enough. Consumers complain service isn’t what it used to be and are distracted by too many options to buy the product and services you sell. Ask yourself these questions: Has customer service in your funeral home kept up with the times? Are your customer-winning strategies still connecting with you customers and community? Learn what successful funeral directors are doing to ensure great service; how to rate your customer service experience; how to tap into the services customers crave; how to connect with customers in-between time of need visits, and more. Discover tools to evaluate your current state of service and the knowledge of what to do next. (2 CE hours)


The Transformative Power of Hospitality

Business Operations Customer Service
Tom Sproles
Owner | Sproles Family Funeral Home

Examine the difference between customer service and hospitality. Both are vitally importable, but vastly different. It is what we do for our customers and how we make them feel. Attendees will learn to become aware of how they make people feel, create habits of hospitality and utilize the unique gifts they bring to the profession. (2 CE hours)


8 a.m. - 9 a.m. | Workshop (No CE)

The National Board Exam Demystified (No CE)

Compliance & Legal
Robb Smith
Executive Director | American Board of Funeral Service Education
Dalene Paull
Executive Director | International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards
Mark T. Evely, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Applied Health Sciences | Mortuary Science Program Director at Wayne State University

There continues to be much discussion regarding the National Board Exam (NBE) and how the exam is created. NFDA is offering this informational session so attendees can better understand the roles and relationships between the key stakeholders and their impact on funeral service education and the NBE.

This is not a debate about the value of the NBE, but rather a presentation of the responsibilities and mandates of each organization.

Join us, get the facts and bring your questions. There will be a Q & A session after the presentation. (No CE)


12 p.m - 5 p.m. | Expo Hall

Leading suppliers bring the latest products and services – along with exclusive offers – to the NFDA Expo Hall.


4 - 5 P.M. | All Star Ceremony

All Star Ceremony

Celebrate the shining stars of funeral service as NFDA recognizes funeral homes that earned the 2022 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award and NFDA’s Green Funeral Practice Certificate. We’ll also honor those individuals who earned certification through NFDA’s Cremation Certification program; new NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultants; Funeral Service Foundation scholarship and award recipients; 2022-23 National Emerging Leaders Program participants; and APFSP Certified Funeral Service Practitioners. 

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