Awesome Ideas From Some of NFDA’s Best of the Best Funeral Homes

Every year, multiple funeral homes submit essays to the National Funeral Directors Association in the hopes of being one of up to 10 recipients of the organization’s Best of the Best Award. By definition, this prestigious award recognizes the “most novel and innovative programs and services in the profession” which have a “positive impact on the families they serve or their community.” 

Between 2014 and 2024, nearly 50 funeral homes have been named Best of the Best by the NFDA — some have even received the award multiple times. And best of all, the Best of the Best funeral homes’ winning essays are available on the NFDA website. 

We’ve combed through the last 10 years’ essays to bring you some of the most amazing ideas that you can easily replicate or adapt to the unique needs of your own community:

Create a service-oriented grief support group

Martin & Hightower Funeral Homes, Carrollton, GA (2024)

In 1996, Martin & Hightower founded Circle of Friends, a grief support especially tailored for widows. In 2024, enhanced this highly successful effort with Hightower’s Helping Hands, a group of widowers that meets monthly for a meal, fellowship, and to engage in service projects for widows, such as installing railings or ramps, tending to landscaping, or hanging a ceiling fan. This innovative program has led to multiple benefits for the widows, widowers, and the community. 

Leave a meaningful gift at removal

Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory, Coal City, IL (2024)

Years ago, Reeves & Baskerville’s owner began the practice of leaving a rose on the bed of the deceased following a transfer — an idea he brought home from an NFDA convention. In 2023, the team expanded the practice to pet removals, leaving a tin of locally-baked treats and a card. These two simple additions have been incredibly impactful, and truly set this funeral home apart.

Engage your community’s clergy

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Johnson City, Tennessee (2023)

Although Morris-Baker had conducted grief seminars for various groups for many years, 2023 was the first time they held a seminar exclusively for members of the clergy. Their workshop engaged 36 seminarians, chaplains, and local clergy in conversations about various grief and service-related topics. The session actually led to a partnership with a local seminary to increase funeral training for seminarians.

Provide “Last Portraits” for nursing home patients 

Ang Chin Moh Funeral Directors, Singapore (2021)

Inspired by ongoing conversations about funerals and memorials with the staff of a local nursing home, volunteers from Ang Chin Moh personally took portrait photos of about 50 elderly residents. For many, these “Last Portraits” were the first professional photos they’d had taken in decades. The team provided light makeup and a games station for residents waiting their turn.

Host the heroes during community emergencies

Seaver-Brown Funeral Service, Marion, Virginia (2016)

When the forecast called for a severe winter storm in 2016, Seaver-Brown kept their doors open all day and overnight to provide emergency workers with a place to “recharge their batteries.” Volunteers from a local church pitched in to provide hot coffee, homemade treats, and appreciation for those who kept the community safe during the storm.

These are just a few of the dozens of incredible accomplishments that earned these funeral homes one of the NFDA’s most prestigious honors — but they’re also some of the easiest to replicate in your own community. We can’t wait to see what ideas and innovations this year’s honorees will bring to the table!