Ray Frew, CCFE, Named Recipient of the 2026 ICCFA Educational Foundation Lasting Impact Award

Sterling, VA — November 12, 2025 — The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) proudly announces that Ray Frew, CCFE, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 ICCFA Educational Foundation Lasting Impact Award. This distinguished honor will be presented during the President’s Banquet at the 2026 ICCFA Experience on April 29, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Frew, the immediate past President and CEO of Green Hills Memorial Park and a past President of the ICCFA, has long been recognized as a visionary leader in the cemetery and funeral service profession. As a founder and early champion of the ICCFA Educational Foundation, he played a pivotal role in shaping its mission and ensuring that professionals across the industry have access to educational opportunities that enhance service, leadership, and compassion.

A Certified Cemetery and Funeral Executive (CCFE) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Frew’s career reflects integrity, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

“Ray’s vision and passion for education have shaped the very foundation of our profession,” said Gino Merendino, President of the ICCFA Educational Foundation. “He understood early on that by investing in education, we elevate not only individual professionals but the entire deathcare community. The opportunities he helped create continue to lift others up and ensure our profession grows stronger, more compassionate, and more capable every day.”

Beyond his professional contributions, Frew has devoted decades to community service in Torrance, California, where his leadership and generosity have left a lasting legacy. A Vietnam veteran, he has served on numerous civic and charitable boards, including the Red Cross Celebrity Golf Tournament, Torrance Symphony, and the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation. He is a past president of both the Del Amo Rotary Club and the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce and has chaired major fundraising initiatives for the Torrance-South Bay YMCA and the Little Company of Mary Community Health Foundation, together raising tens of millions of dollars for community development and healthcare.

Among his many civic achievements, Frew’s leadership with the Torrance-South Bay YMCA stands out as one of his most meaningful contributions. As Chair of the Building for Tomorrow Capital Development Program, he helped lead the organization’s most ambitious fundraising effort, which exceeded $4.6 million to build a state-of-the-art facility serving families across the South Bay. Through this role, Frew also played a pivotal part in forging a lasting partnership between the YMCA and the University of Southern California, creating programs to support military veterans and their families—a cause deeply personal to him as a proud Army and Vietnam veteran.

Through his work at Green Hills Memorial Park, Frew has also led one of California’s largest Memorial Day Observances for more than three decades, honoring veterans and first responders. His leadership and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including the J. Walker Owens Outstanding Volunteer Award, the George Whittlesey Award for Business Advocacy, and the Service Above Self Award from the Torrance-South Bay YMCA. In 2005, Frew was further recognized with the Torrance Distinguished Citizen Award, presented to individuals whose achievements are “significant to the community and to the welfare of the general populace.” He has also received the Community Partnership Award from the Switzer Center, an organization serving at-risk youth, and is a Founding Board Member of both S.C.O.R.E. (Spinal Cord Organization for Regaining Excellence) and the South Bay Children’s Orchestra.

Reflecting on his lifetime of service, Frew shared, “Acts of service have always given me a deep sense of purpose and gratitude. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside so many incredible people who share a commitment to helping others. When we give our time and energy to lift others up, the rewards reach far beyond ourselves—they strengthen our entire community.”

The ICCFA Educational Foundation Lasting Impact Award honors individuals whose lifetime of service has made a profound and enduring contribution to the advancement of education, leadership, and professionalism in the cemetery, cremation, and funeral service profession. For more information about the ICCFA Educational Foundation and the 2026 ICCFA Experience, please visit www.iccfa.com

The ICCFA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity, established to make education accessible to future leaders in the deathcare profession and thereby raise the standards of professionalism within the industry. To learn more about the work of the Foundation and upcoming educational opportunities, please visit iccfa.com/educational-foundation.  

Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all cemetery, cremation, funeral and memorialization segments. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home and crematory industries, supplier and related businesses worldwide. 

NFDA Introduces New Remembering A Life Award to Honor the Profession’s Most Meaningful Funeral and Memorial Services 

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has announced a new honor within its renowned Pursuit of Excellence Award program: the Remembering A Life Award. This new recognition, debuting in 2026, will celebrate funeral homes that create the profession’s most personal and meaningful funerals and memorial services – those that go beyond expectations to bring comfort, healing and significance to the families they serve. 

The new award was formally announced during the association’s All-Star Recognition Ceremony on Monday, October 27, at the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo in Chicago. 

“The Remembering A Life Award will shine a spotlight on the heart of what funeral service professionals do for grieving families,” said NFDA Director of Public Relations Jessica Koth, who manages the Pursuit of Excellence Program. “It will honor those moments when creativity, compassion and attention to detail come together to help families remember, grieve and begin to heal. We look forward to presenting the first Remembering A Life Awards during next year’s All-Star Recognition Ceremony.” 

Elevating the Heart of Funeral Service 

The Remembering A Life Award aligns closely with NFDA’s consumer initiative, Remembering A Life, which educates families about the value of funerals and memorial services and offers resources for planning meaningful tributes and beginning the grief journey. Each year, up to five funeral homes will be selected by the Pursuit of Excellence Work Group for this distinction.

Recipients will be chosen based on essays submitted as part of their Pursuit of Excellence entry that describe a personal and meaningful funeral or memorial service. Submissions will be evaluated on how creatively the service honored the life of the deceased, incorporated family wishes and cultural traditions and exceeded expectations to provide a truly meaningful experience. 

Building on a Legacy of Excellence 

Established more than 45 years ago by the late NFDA Past President Richard Myers, the Pursuit of Excellence Award program honors funeral homes that consistently demonstrate integrity, innovation and service excellence. In addition to the new Remembering A Life Award, the program includes:

• Pursuit of Excellence Award: The program’s foundational honor, recognizing achievement in six categories of excellence.
• Hall of Excellence: Funeral homes are inducted into the Hall of Excellence upon earning their 10th Pursuit of Excellence Award.
• Richard Myers Pinnacle Award: Recognizes an extraordinary program or service that redefines funeral service excellence.
• Best of the Best Award: Honors up to five funeral homes annually for novel and innovative programs or services.
• Honorable Mention: Acknowledges programs that positively impact the families and communities served. 

Reinforcing NFDA’s Strategic Vision 

The introduction of the Remembering A Life Award supports several priorities outlined in NFDA’s 2024-26 Strategic Plan, including raising the profile of funeral professionals among consumers, increasing understanding of the value of meaningful memorialization and inspiring innovation across the profession.

“The Pursuit of Excellence program has always set the standard for service excellence,” said Koth. “This new award reflects our ongoing commitment to helping funeral professionals elevate their work and demonstrate the deep value of meaningful memorialization to families and communities.”

The first Remembering A Life Awards will be presented during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony at the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information about the Pursuit of Excellence program or to apply by the July 15, 2026, deadline, visit NFDA.org/PursuitOfExcellence. 

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association representing 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 NFDA.org.

Bob Arrington Honored with the Funeral Service Foundation Distinguished Service Award

Scholarship established to honor distinguished funeral director 

Brookfield, WI — The Funeral Service Foundation is proud to announce Bob Arrington as the 2025 recipient of its prestigious Distinguished Service Award, honoring his decades of exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to advancing the Foundation’s mission and strengthening the funeral service profession.

A visionary leader and compassionate professional, Arrington has left an indelible mark on funeral service. His remarkable career began at seven years old in Milan, Tennessee, and has spanned more than five decades of service, entrepreneurship and leadership. In 1995, he founded Arrington Funeral Directors in Jackson, Tennessee, and went on to innovate within the profession through ventures like Corporate Funeral Providers and ObituaryShare.com.

A tireless advocate for the profession, Arrington played important roles at the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, serving as its 2015-16 President, holding multiple officer roles, and contributing to numerous committees and task forces for more than two decades.

Bob’s contributions to the Funeral Service Foundation have been equally profound. From 2013 to 2023, he served as a Foundation Trustee, including as Chair of the Board from 2017 to 2019. During his tenure, the Foundation’s endowment more than doubled – from $5 million to more than $11 million – while nearly $5 million in grants were awarded to programs and initiatives that support grieving communities.

His leadership was instrumental in the development and rollout of several key Foundation initiatives, including:

• Youth & Funerals, a vital resource encouraging youth preparedness and involvement in memorialization.
• When a Child Dies and Grieving Alone & Together, both of which remain widely used by funeral homes and healthcare organizations.
• Public education efforts such as FAMIC’s Have the Talk of a Lifetime consumer outreach campaign and the ZMET research study, Breaking the Consumer Code.
• Journey to Serve, veteran’s recruitment initiative in partnership with the ICCFA Educational Foundation

Beyond his service, Arrington and his wife Judy Arrington are charter members of the Guardian’s Fund, the Foundation’s planned giving society, demonstrating a deep personal commitment to the future of funeral service.

“Bob Arrington exemplifies what it means to serve with heart, purpose and vision,” said John Heald, Foundation Chair. “His leadership has not only shaped our Foundation but also uplifted countless professionals and families across the country. It is our honor to recognize his enduring legacy with the Distinguished Service Award.”

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the success and growth of the Funeral Service Foundation through acts of service or volunteer leadership.

The award will be presented on October 27 during the Funeral Service Foundation Donor Reception at the NFDA International Convention & Expo (October 26 through 29 in Chicago, Illinois).

In recognition of his lifelong contributions, the Foundation is raising funds to establish an academic scholarship in Bob Arrington’s name. Known for his dedication to helping others, from championing fundraising initiatives to serving as the longtime auctioneer for academic scholarships at Foundation events, this special occasion marks a heartfelt moment where the profession can express its gratitude to a remarkable leader.

Gifts and pledges to support the scholarship may be made at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Donate-Now-Bob-Arrington.

ABOUT THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOUNDATION – FuneralServiceFoundation.org
Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.

Trailblazers in Funeral Service: Meet the 2025 NFDA Innovation Award Finalists

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) proudly announces the finalists for the prestigious 2025 NFDA Innovation Award: Afterword, Healing Path Cemetery and Passare. These groundbreaking products and services exemplify forward-thinking solutions that are shaping the future of funeral service. The winner will be revealed on October 27 during the Opening General Session of the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo in Chicago, Illinois. The Innovation Award is sponsored by ASD – Answering Service for Directors. 

Since its inception in 2009, the NFDA Innovation Award has recognized funeral service suppliers and vendors whose creativity, ingenuity and excellence drive meaningful change in the profession. This year’s finalists continue that tradition, offering practical, compassionate and tech-enabled solutions that enhance both the funeral professional and family experience. The finalists for the 2025 NFDA Innovation Award (in alphabetical order) are: 

Afterword – Grace, The First AI Assistant for Funeral Homes
Grace is the first AI assistant purpose-built for funeral professionals, designed to ease the administrative burden and allow directors to focus on caring for families. Integrated within Afterword’s software platform, Grace automates routine tasks such as building case files, sending reminders and managing family communications. From converting a photo of a handwritten worksheet into a complete digital case file, to generating personalized follow-up emails, task lists and memorial date reminders, Grace works behind the scenes to ensure a seamless experience for both staff and families. What sets Grace apart is her ability to adapt to each funeral home’s unique processes, having been trained directly from the workflows of real directors. She’s not a generic chatbot; she’s a customized, intuitive assistant who brings compassion, consistency and efficiency to every case.

Healing Path Cemetery, a Grief-Focused Engagement System for Cemeteries
Healing Path Cemetery is an innovative, multi-dimensional solution helping cemeteries remain relevant in a changing cultural landscape. With permanent memorialization on the decline, Healing Path Cemetery reconnects local families to cemeteries by blending grief support, interactive rituals and lead generation. The system includes on-site healing stations designed around nine evidence-based grief rituals; a cemetery-branded mobile app offering videos, virtual rituals like “Letters to Heaven” and digital candle lighting; and a library of coordinated social media content that promotes healing and education. With features like narrated blessings from Peabody Award-winner Bill Kurtis and seamless integration of grief psychology with cemetery marketing, Healing Path is a pioneering platform that transforms cemeteries into places of ongoing remembrance, relevance and emotional connection.

Passare – AI Scanner
Passare’s AI Scanner revolutionizes the way funeral professionals handle handwritten documents by eliminating the need for manual data entry. This powerful, mobile-first tool uses advanced handwriting recognition technology to scan handwritten vitals forms and automatically populate the corresponding digital fields in Passare’s case management system. Designed to accommodate directors who prefer pen and paper during family meetings, the feature reduces the risk of transcription errors and saves valuable time. Built and trained using hundreds of handwriting samples, the scanner delivers high accuracy and requires no training — just scan, sync and send. As the first of its kind in funeral service, the AI Scanner sets a new standard for efficiency and innovation, enabling funeral professionals to spend less time on paperwork and more time supporting families. 

Funeral service suppliers were invited to submit products or services that became commercially available on or after January 1, 2024, for consideration in this year’s competition. A distinguished panel of judges evaluated each submission on originality, quality and design, ultimately selecting the finalists that exemplify innovation and impact in funeral service. 

Finalists, along with more than 20 additional entrants, will be showcased in the Expo Hall during the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo, taking place October 26–29 in Chicago. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore these trailblazing products and meet the companies behind them. More information is available at NFDA.org/InnovationAwards and NFDA.org/Convention, respectively. 

NFDA thanks ASD – Answering Service for Directors for its continued support of the Innovation Award. The association also extends its appreciation to the 2025 Innovation Award judges:

• Matthew Bailey, Bailey Family Funeral Homes, Wallingford, Connecticut
• Christopher Costello, Mothe Funeral Homes, New Orleans, Louisiana
• David Hernandez, Jersey Memorial Group, Old Bridge, New Jersey
• Leili McMurrough, Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Libertyville, Illinois
• Michael Burns, Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Timothy McLoone, William R. May Funeral Home Inc., New Hope, Pennsylvania
• Welton Hong, Ring Ring Marketing, Las Vegas, Nevada

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association representing 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 NFDA.org. 

 

You’ve heard me say it in ever-increasing statements. . . .the “it” being that I see a nexus coming into focus of “Traditional vs. Technological” in the Death Care profession.

 

To further highlight that and prove the fact we recently learned that Tribute Technology, a funeral home focused technology company, named award winners in funeral home technology.  From this link you can see winners announced by Tribute Technology in nine different technology categories for 2025.  At the link you can also read about and see interviews on how these winners are moving technology into a more prominent role in their specific Death Care businesses.

 

In a press release Courtney Gould Miller, President of Commercial Markets at Tribute Technology, said this about the winners, “The 2025 award recipients continue to inspire the profession by embracing digital tools that create more meaningful, accessible, and compassionate experiences for the families they serve.  Each honoree demonstrates how purposeful use of technology can transform funeral service while preserving the care and human touch that defines it.”

 

The press release also made this comment, “These annual awards highlight leaders who are redefining the family experience, streamlining operations, and strengthening community connections through innovation.”

 

Enter your e-mail below to join the 3,191 others who receive Funeral Director Daily articles daily:

“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

Tribute Technology Announces 2025 Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Award Winners, Honoring Innovation Across the Funeral Profession

Celebrating Leadership, Technology Adoption, and Excellence in Family Care

WAUNAKEE, WI — Tribute Technology is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Awards, which recognize funeral service professionals and organizations who are advancing the profession through thoughtful use of technology. These annual awards highlight leaders who are redefining the family experience, streamlining operations, and strengthening community connections through innovation.

“The 2025 award recipients continue to inspire the profession by embracing digital tools that create more meaningful, accessible, and compassionate experiences for the families they serve,” said Courtney Gould Miller, President of Commercial Markets at Tribute Technology. “Each honoree demonstrates how purposeful use of technology can transform funeral service while preserving the care and human touch that defines it.”

2025 Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Award Recipients

Innovation Impact: Water Cremation Technologies:
Tom Tierney, Owner of The Green Cremation

Outstanding Organization-Wide Innovation:
Lindsay Granson, Chief Operating Officer at Heritage Family Funeral Services

Unified Service Through Technology:
Ryan Johnson, Funeral Director at Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home

Leader in All-in-One Technology:
Anthem Partners

Leader in Personalized Memorial Experiences:
Givnish Funeral Homes

The Connected Care Award:
Brian Joseph, President of Verheyden Funeral Homes

Website Connected Video Displays:
Paul St. Pierre, President of St. Pierre Family Funeral & Cremation Services

Marketing Thought Leader for ObitShare:
Bob Arrington, President and Founder of Arrington Funeral Directors

About Tribute Technology:

Tribute Technology’s mission is to bring the best technology to all funeral homes, to help communities around the world celebrate life, and to pay tribute to loved ones. Over 9,000 end-of-life providers already use Tribute Technology’s software and product offerings, including websites, marketing services, management software, online planning, personalized memorial keepsakes, payment processing, and other solutions. Tribute Technology is focused on innovating to help funeral directors save time on tasks, so they can focus more on connecting with the families who have lost a loved one. The company’s goal is to give funeral directors everything they need to run their business in one place, making their lives easier.

Photo Caption:  Courtney Gould Miller, President of Commercial Markets at Tribute Technology, announces the winners of this year’s Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Awards—honoring firms that are pushing the profession forward through innovative and strategic use of technology.

Anthem Partners Honored with Award at Trend ReCON 2025

[Dallas, TX] – Anthem Partners, a premier operator of funeral homes and cemeteries across North America, is proud to announce it has been named the recipient of the “Leader in All-in-One Technology” award by Tribute Technology. The award was presented at Tribute Technology’s Trend ReCON 2025, a two-day conference dedicated to helping funeral professionals thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

This prestigious award recognizes organizations that are setting a new benchmark for how technology can transform every aspect of funeral service—from operations and staff empowerment to family experience and community engagement.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition from Tribute Technology, as it reflects our commitment to redefining how we support families,” said Chad Jackson, Executive Vice President of Operations, Anthem Partners. “For us, technology is not just a tool—it’s a catalyst for empowering our teams and reimagining the way funeral homes operate.”

Tribute Technology is known for providing innovative solutions that make end-of-life celebrations more memorable, meaningful, and effortless. Their all-in-one platform empowers funeral professionals with seamless tools for personalization, operational efficiency, and online engagement—helping providers like Anthem Partners deliver both exceptional service and sustainable growth.

“Anthem Partners is raising the bar for what’s possible in funeral service,” added Courtney Gould Miller, President of Commercial Markets at Tribute Technology. “By embracing innovative, integrated technology, they’re not only increasing operational efficiency—they’re delivering a more personalized, transparent, and connected experience for families. Anthem isn’t just keeping up with industry change—they’re leading it.”

“Our focus has always been on making it easier and more meaningful for families to create services that truly honor their loved ones,” said Will Andrews, President, Anthem Partners – US. “This award is a testament to our team’s passion and expertise in delivering best-in-class digital solutions that result in improved operational efficiencies and increased family satisfaction.”

About Anthem Partners:   Anthem Partners is a privately-held operator of cemeteries and funeral homes.  Founded by industry professionals and backed by long-term, patient investors, they are actively seeking opportunities to grow with like-minded professionals and firms who share their vision. The founding principles of Anthem are respecting the unique history of the family businesses and acknowledging the lives lived in the communities they serve.  To learn more, visit www.anthempartners.com.

About Tribute Technology: Tribute Technology is dedicated to empowering funeral professionals with best-in-class technology solutions. Serving over 9,000 end-of-life providers worldwide, Tribute Technology’s innovative software and services—including website platforms, marketing solutions, management software, online planning, memorial keepsakes, and payment processing—help funeral professionals save time and focus on supporting families.  To learn more, visit www.tributetech.com.

“Funeral of the Year” is the Industry Award We Probably Don’t Need

Although deathcare practices and traditions may differ across the globe, the dedication of the professionals in charge remains constant. And every so often, these men and women are recognized for their body of work, earning awards for overall excellence, leadership, or innovation. This year, South African funeral directors had the opportunity to earn similar honors at the inaugural National Funeral Business Awards — plus a few awards that could make for interesting competition (and some unwanted attention) here in the States.

Best of the best

High-profile funerals in the US — those held for celebrities, sports legends, and politicians, among others — usually get plenty of press for their opulence or expense, or even for the notable people in attendance. That’s inevitable, no matter where the funeral takes place — even South Africa. So it wasn’t a surprise that the 2023 funeral of superstar SA rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes was a spectacular and well-documented event. 

Forbes’ family selected Broodie Funeral Parlour of Pretoria to conduct both a public memorial service and a private funeral and burial. Both were described as “extravagant,” “five-star,” and “elaborate,” and included a BMW motorcade that transported AKA’s casket in a transparent trailer to an “elegant” church and graveside setup.

For its efforts, Broodie Funeral Parlour earned the “top prize” award for “Best Funeral Service of the Year” at the National Funeral Business Awards in April. They also snagged the honor of “Best Service Funeral Company of the Year.”

They responded to the recognition on Instagram, humbly stating, “It’s an incredible honor to be recognised this way. When you put your heart into something, you don’t always expect applause – you simply hope it makes a difference.”

Interesting accolades

Another big winner at the NFBAs was Matjokane Funeral Services, also of Pretoria, which won the “Most Stylish Funeral Award” for its interesting approach to life celebrations.

“We came up with the idea of giving mocktails at the funeral,” says Sylvester Hlongwane, Matjokane’s marketing manager. “You’re hot, you’re tired and sad; you get a mocktail that looks so beautiful and you just sip and it fills your heart.”

Hlongwane adds that Matjokane provides couches at the graveside rather than chairs, and offers a “six-piece orchestra with violins, cellos, and trumpets.”

In addition to these awards, the NFBAs also featured the following categories:

• Most Impressive Fleet
• Best Branding
• Best Decor
• Best Grave Setup

Providers were also recognized for more traditional achievements, including professionalism and community involvement.

Living in the comments section

As one might expect, the awards — as well as the actual concept of providing recognition to funeral professionals — garnered instant criticism from the community.

The comments were even more interesting on The Times LIVE’s Facebook page:

• “That’s sick.”
• “What’s next? The cutest corpses?”
• “So this is a thing now? Funerals have become a competition. This entire notion is diabolical.”
• “If we are not careful, next funeral accolades will be like: who buried the most beautiful dead person. What these undertakers have started now must not/should not be encouraged.”
• “Why are yall shocked?? Yall did this paying big money for big funerals. You got so invested in the decor and cars that you forgot about the actual funeral so obviously there will be funeral awards.”

Nevertheless, the organizers of the NFBA event defended the awards and the deathcare profession’s right to earn honors for their work. 

“We tend to want to give the best send-off to the deceased. It’s not a matter of showing off, but a matter of respect and celebration of the lives of the ones that passed on,” says Muzi Hlengwa, CEO of the National Funeral Business Awards. 

“As undertakers, we are not only burying people, but we are also dealing with the pain of families that have lost their loved ones. We want to give South African undertakers exposure. We want to applaud the hard and good work that they do for the members of the public,” Hlengwa told another outlet. 

“We may be viewed as a deathcare industry but we are a business like any other business.”

Recognizing Remarkable Women: Nominations Open for NFDA Inspiration Award

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. 

2025 OGR Professional Service Award Nominations Are Open Until January 31

OGR Professional Service Awards recognizes outstanding achievements in the funeral profession

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (DECEMBER 10, 2024)- The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) is proud to share the nomination period for the OGR Professional Service Awards is open from now until January 31, 2025. These awards honor individuals and funeral homes that have displayed exceptional dedication, innovation and commitment to excellence in the profession.

“We are thrilled to honor exceptional individuals and member firms who have raised the bar in the funeral profession,” said Wendy King, CAE, CVA, Executive Director/CEO of the International Order of the Golden Rule. “Each year, award winners showcase their dedication, innovation and commitment to excellence. Past winners have made a significant impact on their respective fields and have set a standard of excellence for others to follow.”

The OGR Professional Service Awards are among the most prestigious accolades in the field, recognizing outstanding contributions and achievements in various categories. A distinguished panel of industry experts carefully review nominations and select the winners based on their demonstrated expertise, exceptional client service and significant impact in the funeral profession.  The winners of the 2025 OGR Professional Service Awards will be announced at the Golden Circle Awards Celebration during OGR’s signature event, PROGRESS, May 6-8, 2025 in Riverside, Calif.

Golden Light Award

The Golden Light Award salutes professional excellence exemplified by an individual member who has inspired others by their commitment to service through OGR involvement, community service or volunteer activities that demonstrate “service measured not by gold, but by the Golden Rule.”

Golden Rule Community Service Award

The Golden Rule Community Service Award singles out a member firm for outstanding service as demonstrated by activities benefiting local organizations and/or the community they serve. 

Golden Rule Exemplary Service Awards

The Exemplary Service Awards recognize Golden Rule firms that have displayed outstanding professionalism and exemplary service to the families they serve. Recipients are selected based on feedback received through OGR’s Family Contact Survey Program.

Applications close January 31, 2025, and are available on the official International Order of the Golden Rule website at www.OGR.org/Awards. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged by all OGR member firms. A complete list of award winners can also be found at www.OGR.org/Awards.

About the International Order of the Golden Rule

The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) is an association of independently owned and operated funeral homes dedicated to ethical service to all. Founded in 1928, it is our mission to make independent funeral homes exceptional. We do this by building and supporting member interaction, information exchange and professional business development through a wide range of programs, services and resources. For more information, visit www.ogr.org.