Home Agenda  Wednesday

Wednesday, October 20

All times shown are Central Time.

NFDA does not endorse and is not responsible for views expressed by the speakers.

Workshop recordings are available for purchase in the NFDA store.

8 – 9 a.m. (1 CE Hour)

Business Management & Operations
The Delicate Balance of Your Family, Your Life and Your Family Business
Mark Busch, Founder, AI Intuitive

Mark is the former fourth-generation co-owner of Busch Funeral and Crematory Services. After 40+ years in his family business, Mark has a wealth of knowledge and experience navigating the complexities of family dynamics and running a family business. He will share his business story, the 'do's and don'ts,' career life experiences, and the game-changers for his family and business. In addition, Mark will discuss the present and future of family businesses and provide a toolbox of techniques to help you balance your family life and family business.

Business Operations
Recomposition: The Earthly Disposition
Katrina Spade, Founder, Recompose

Natural organic reduction (NOR) is an emerging form of disposition that uses the science of composting to turn bodies into usable soil. Recompose is the first company in the world to offer NOR, which is legal in Washington State. Individuals may use composted soil in gardens and for conservation efforts. Recompose's first facility opened in the Seattle area in December 2020; the company is currently in the design stages for several more. Learn about the overall process, safety and efficacy, and consumer interest in this new form of disposition.

Cremation
Finding a Middle Ground with Cremation Families
Eugene Wagner, Funeral Director, Wagner Family Funerals-Connelly Chapel

There is an opportunity in the funeral service to provide families a choice between direct cremation or a cremation preceded by a traditional funeral service. The middle ground enables us to provide nearly 100% viewings, even in light of the current health crisis and almost 100% embalmings. Most importantly, we received 100% thanks from the families. Today, visitations are shortened to "private family viewings" that are less structured and often occur over a day or two. Services are "unpublished" - meaning no viewing times are provided in the newspaper. Also, the invitation to participate in a memorial service is conducted by family members on social media. The middle ground acknowledges the death and allows for an "in-person" viewing while eliminating the all-or-nothing extremes.

Customer Service; Professional Skills
Practical Ideas to Reach Your Caregiver Community
Jeff Smith, Owner, Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home

The days of sitting and waiting for the phone to ring are long gone. In a climate of increasing numbers of low-cost competitors, funeral directors must learn how to tell their firm's story to caregivers. The same skills that help you with families will help you market to caregivers and grow your market share. You'll discover five highly effective and easy-to-implement caregiver marketing ideas and learn how to "show" the community what you're doing through social media. Smith will provide examples and photos demonstrating these skills in practice.

8 – 9:30 a.m. (1.5 CE Hours)

Technical Skills
The Biology Behind Better Cosmetics
Amanda King, Care Team Manager, Carmon Community Funeral Homes

Did you know human biology plays a significant role in the application of cosmetics? Learn techniques to become better at achieving a more natural appearance when cosmetizing the deceased. King will examine numerous skin types, looking at the importance of identifying a body's skin tone and its variation in hues. She will relay techniques using mortuary cosmetics vs. airbrushing and other small tips to create a more proficient cosmetic application by thoroughly covering color mixing. A step-by-step process for specific scenarios, including covering bruises and recreating freckles, will be shown, as well as step-by-step cosmetics for a partial facial reconstruction.

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. NFDA Expo

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

12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Keynote

Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

Ben Nemtin
Author and Co-founder of The Buried Life Movement

The world is changing faster than we ever imagined; leaders and teams must dig deep within themselves to break through and find opportunities in uncertain times. Before becoming a #1 NYT bestselling author, playing basketball at the White House, having beers with Prince Harry, or living out his other dreams, Ben suffered from crippling depression.

After committing to a series of positive life changes, Ben had a shift in perspective that changed his outlook on life and opened himself up to endless possibilities. From there, he committed to following his buried dreams and helping others through acts of service. The rest is history, and Ben's life-changing message has opened up audiences worldwide to cultures of service, gratitude, and endless potential.

6 – 9 p.m. Closing celebration at the Wildhorse Saloon*

A true iconic Nashville experience with spectacular views of the Cumberland River, this award-winning restaurant also offers a premier live-music venue and boasts of housing downtown Nashville’s largest dance floor.

Price per person: $99 early bird, $109 after September 1.
*Separate registration required. Fee includes hosted bar, dinner, live music, line-dancing lessons, and fun games, such as billiards, shuffleboard, giant Scrabble and foosball.