Tuesday, October 19

All times shown are Central 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.

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Keynote

Lessons on Embracing Change and Opportunities for Growth

General Session: Special Engagement

Whitney Johnson
CEO, WLJ Advisors, Author, Personal Disruption Expert

We didn’t make a conscious choice to disrupt our lives; circumstances, like the pandemic, made it for us. While true disruption can happen anytime, we must learn to control disorder and build momentum along an S Curve of Learning™. The S Curve leverages the Seven-point Personal Disruption Framework™, representing a cycle of maturity. Convention attendees will be invited to take the online S Curve assessment before the event. In the session, Johnson will share helpful guidance and practical resources to help you accelerate your growth.

Sponsored by

9:45 - 10:45 a.m. (1 CE hour)

Compliance & Legal
Funeral Rule Compliance and Update on the FTC Funeral Rule
T. Scott Gilligan, NFDA General Counsel

Learn the top Funeral Rule compliance issues and the steps your funeral home can take to avoid FTC Funeral Rule violations. Hear the latest information on the FTC review of the Funeral Rule, which kicked off at the beginning of 2020, as well as a discussion of how the review process will play out.

Business Operations
A Reimagined Funeral and Cemetery Profession Post-Pandemic
Christopher Cruger, Chief Executive Officer, The Foresight Companies, LLC

In what is undoubtedly the most transformative time in generations, The Foresight Companies conducted a study of consumers to put empirical data behind the speculative trends about how COVID-19 will impact the funeral and cemetery industry – both in the short-term and the long term. An industry that has been slow to embrace technology and innovation was thrust into an entirely new way of interacting with consumers. In a time of uncertainty, confusion, and dramatic change, Cruger will provide insights for the industry on how the business model must evolve and adapt to the “new norm".

Business Operations
A Radically Simple Blueprint for Success and Growth
David Hernandez Jr., Founder, Jersey Memorial Group

Running a deathcare company is unlike any other profession. Simply understanding the unique qualities of a funeral home or cemetery is not a guarantee for success. How does a leader guide their company to growth or the next level? What is the hallmark of an exceptional owner, CEO, or manager? Is it call volume, market share, or revenues? Quite simply, it is the returns of that company over the long term. Hernandez will examine the importance of capital allocation and the best way to deploy your company resources, why business purchases must be viewed as investments and the importance of cash flow to long-term value.

Professional Skills
Final Acts of Care Following the Death of a Child
Offered in partnership with the Funeral Service Foundation
Betsy Hawley, MA, Executive Director, Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition
Kristin James, LCPC, Executive Director, Greater Illinois Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition

After the death of a child, as the funeral professional, you are not only receiving the child's body but the heart and soul of the family. Learn how to bring your expertise and compassion to the family as you guide them in the difficult decisions from transferring the care of their child to you to their final goodbye. Hawley will review lessons learned from an innovative partnership between the Funeral Service Foundation, NFDA, and the Collaborative of Pediatric Palliative Care Coalitions to improve the end-of-life experience for families and the community following the death of a child. You'll leave with a recently published toolkit designed to support funeral professionals in guiding families through this emotional process.

Technical Skills
Reconstructive Techniques for Severe Trauma
Vernie Fountain, CFSP, MBIE, Founder, Fountain National Academy

Renowned teacher Vernie Fountain will examine numerous embalming techniques and discuss a wide variety of methods to restore severe trauma cases to allow for an open casket viewing during the visitation and funeral. Fountain, will cover situations you encounter daily in your preparation room. You'll discover common-sense tips and techniques to help you more effectively tackle the challenging cases you face.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Service of Remembrance

As funeral professionals, you know that planning and attending a meaningful funeral can have a lasting and profoundly important impact on the lives of the families you serve. You know the value of a funeral as it marks the beginning of the grief journey. Over the past extremely difficult year, you have continued to shepherd families through their darkest days and provide them with the healing power of funerals. Join us at the 2021 Service of Remembrance as we honor the essential role of funeral directors in grief and healing and remember our funeral service family members who died this past year.

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.

12:30 – 2 p.m. Conversation Cafés (1.5 CE hours)

Business Operations
Pandemic Response: Lessons Learned and the Path Ahead
Glenn Bower, Executive Director, Texas Funeral Service Commission
David Hernandez Jr., First-Generation Funeral Director, founder and operator, Jersey Memorial Group
Robert Gribble, Executive Director, Board of Funeral Directors & Embalmers, and Burial Services/Cemetery Division of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
Cheryl Grossman, Former Majority Whip, Ohio House of Representatives
Dalene Paull, Executive Director, International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards

A funeral provides an important sense of closure for bereaved people and is very often the start of the grieving process, allowing people to say a final goodbye and pay their respects. During the pandemic, all funeral norms and traditions changed beyond recognition, profoundly impacting the bereaved and the funeral service professionals caring for them. Our expert panel includes state licensing board regulators, the owner of a large funeral business in New Jersey whose firm was the first in the state to care for a COVID death, and the executive director of The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards to discuss the far-reaching impact of the pandemic on the profession and grieving families. Our panelists will look ahead and discuss positive changes to funeral service from both a regulatory perspective and from an owner's viewpoint.

Business Operations
Mortuary Mission: Dover’s Silent History
Oral “Allen” Cronin, Mortuary Affairs Division Chief
Kevin Smith, Chief of Mortuary Affairs
Ed Conway, Mortuary Affairs Specialist

Dover Air Force Base has been home to the mortuary since 1955. Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations are responsible for caring for America's fallen heroes with the utmost dignity, honor, and respect. These heroes have always stepped up and fought for freedom and democracy, not only for the United States but for those who could not fight for themselves. Our panel will discuss the procedures for care and disposition of deceased personnel; communicating with authorized persons to direct disposition; escort and transportation of remains; entitlements and eligibility criteria; search and recovery operations; traumatic stress response management; mortuary contracts and working with funeral homes; honor guard; survivor assistance; and family liaison officer and summary court officer duties.

4:30 – 5 p.m. Installation of 2021-22 NFDA President & Board of Directors

Reception to follow 5 – 5:30 p.m.

5:30 – 7 p.m. Funeral Directors Under 40 Party

Nashville Underground
105 Broadway

After a day at the Convention Center and before heading out to enjoy some of the Nashville nightlife, you definitely want to stop at the Nashville Underground to socialize with the under 40 crowd! This exciting venue is located in the heart of downtown Nashville and is the home of the highest and largest double-deck rooftop on Broadway. Nashville Underground is the ultimate entertainment destination where guests can truly drink, taste, and hear Nashville. Cost includes a rooftop bar for happy hour, 2 drink tickets & heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Dress: Casual
Price per person: $35 early bird, $45 late

Agenda