2025 Agenda

Brought to you by InSight Institute and hosted by NFDA

Registration: Friday 12:30 p.m.

Seminar Day 1: Friday 1 - 6 p.m.
Seminar Day 2: Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Seminar Day 3: Sunday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Set your firm apart from the competition and offer more to the families you serve! As families’ wishes continue to evolve, it is more important than ever to offer a variety of services that meet their needs and exceed their expectations. Fewer families incorporate religious rites into memorial services now so how can you fill that gap? Many funeral homes look to celebrants and find it most economical to train their staff to accommodate this growing demand for customized services. A certified celebrant works with a funeral director to provide a funeral service, memorial service or tribute that is personalized to reflect the personality and life of the deceased. (17 CE hours through InSight Institute)

Learn how to make the most of the arrangement conference through a creative, five-step process only available from NFDA. This high-energy, interactive program provides you with the tools you need to convey the value of the funeral to families and partner with them to design memorable life-tribute events. Through a combination of small- and large-group discussions, problem-solving and creative collaboration, you’ll leave with fresh approaches and new ideas to transform your arrangement conferences. (8 CE hours)

Whether you currently own or operate a crematory, are thinking of opening one, or want to evaluate a third-party crematory, this training is essential for your success. NFDA’s Cremation Certification Program™ covers best practices for safe, proper and ethical crematory operations; sets the standard for excellence, compliance and integrity in cremation services; and provides the information you require to address potential cremation liability issues. NFDA offers the only cremation certification program specifically created to protect funeral directors and the families they serve.

The seminar and test are based on the NFDA Cremation Standards for Funeral Service Professionals manual. CE and certification require passing the online Cremation Certification Test. (7 CE Hours)

In recent years, terms like "work-life balance," "self-care," "compassion fatigue," and "burnout" have become more common, both in the public and within funeral service. However, funeral service professionals often face neglect of their own stress, mental health, and grief while supporting others. Given the high-stress nature of their work and the growing focus on self-care, it’s crucial to address barriers to work-life balance and validate the grief experiences of these professionals. Led by Dr. Sara Murphy, this session will help attendees explore the impact of their grief on work-life balance, validate their grief experiences, develop research-supported strategies for self-care, and break silences around disenfranchised grief to promote well-being in funeral service. Ultimately, this workshop encourages attendees to better serve others by first taking care of themselves.

Explore the art and science of embalming and restorative art with severe trauma cases. This practical and informative workshop will equip you with essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to help you provide the best possible farewells for grieving families.

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your expertise and make a meaningful impact in your community! (4 CE hours)