NFDA Honors Funeral Homes Worldwide with Prestigious 2025 Pursuit of Excellence Awards

Recipients to be honored during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony at the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo 

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is proud to announce the 271 funeral home locations that are 2025 recipients of the Pursuit of Excellence Award, a distinction regarded as one of the highest honors in the funeral service profession. For 45 years, this honor has been reserved for funeral homes that exemplify the highest standards of integrity, innovation and service to families and communities. 

This year’s honorees represent an elite group of funeral service leaders from around the world. Each has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to compassion, professionalism and continuous improvement, setting the benchmark for what funeral service can and should be. 

These firms will be celebrated during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony, scheduled for Monday, October 27 at 4 p.m. during the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo (October 26 through 29 in Chicago, Illinois). 

To earn this award, funeral homes must go beyond meeting basic professional standards. They must demonstrate excellence in every dimension of service, from care of families and community outreach, to education, professional development and ethical leadership. Each Pursuit of Excellence recipient affirms the program’s Pledge of Ethical Practices, underscoring their role as trusted stewards of their communities during life’s most difficult moments. 

“The Pursuit of Excellence Award recognizes funeral homes that are shaping the future of our profession while honoring the timeless trust families place in them,” said NFDA Director of Public Relations Jessica Koth. “This year’s honorees have demonstrated not only compassion and integrity in serving grieving families, but also vision, creativity and leadership in their communities. They set the standard for excellence worldwide and inspire all of us to reach higher.” 

NFDA invites funeral homes everywhere to join this tradition of excellence and apply for the 2026 Pursuit of Excellence Award program when applications open this fall. Registration and application materials for 2026 will be available in mid-October 2025 at NFDA.org/PursuitOfExcellence. 

Best of the Best Award Recipients

Among the extraordinary group of 2025 Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients are a select few that were chosen for the Best of the Best Award. This recognition shines a spotlight on firms whose ideas are not only exceptional but transformative. These innovative programs redefine how funeral homes support families, honor traditions and serve their communities. 

• Arlington Memorial Chapels, Inc., Quezon City, Philippines, developed “Hearts That Hold,” a groundbreaking initiative to honor caregivers and funeral professionals, including the creation of a proposed National End-of-Life Care Professionals Day.
• Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, Indiana, expanded its grief program that shifts from traditional counseling to vibrant social experiences for widows and widowers, helping them heal through connection and fellowship.
• Señoriales Corporación de Servicio, Guatemala City, Guatemala created “Where Memory Shines,” a sweeping, multi-day cultural event blending art, music and light to transform remembrance into a communal celebration of love and legacy. 

The Pursuit of Excellence Work Group recognized 17 firms with a Certificate of Honorable Mention in recognition of creative and compassionate programs made significant community impact: 

• Arrington Funeral Directors & Crematory, Jackson, Tennessee
• Cemitério e Crematório Parque das Allamandas, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
• Funeza Zaragoza, Mexico City, Mexico; Funeza Azcapotzalco, Mexico City, Mexico; Funeza Vallejo, Mexico City, Mexico; Funeza Calle 7, Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico; Funeza Los Reyes, Los Reyes La Paz, Mexico; Funeza Periférico, Mexico City, Mexico; Funeza Ecatepec, Ecatepec, Mexico
• John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, Salem, Virginia
• Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory, Villa Rica, Georgia; Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory, Douglasville, Georgia
• Morada da Paz, Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
• Pray Funeral Home, Inc., Charlotte, Michigan
• Waitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Morganville, New Jersey; Old Bridge Funeral Home, Old Bridge, New Jersey; Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, Toms River, New Jersey

NFDA Hall of Excellence Inductees

The NFDA Hall of Excellence recognizes an elite group of funeral homes that have reached their tenth Pursuit of Excellence Award, underscoring their steadfast dedication to excellence, professionalism, and compassionate care year after year. This year’s inductees are: 

• Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania; Scranton Area Cremation Care, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania
• Lakeshore Memorial Services, Holland, Michigan; Ever Rest Funeral Home and Chapel, Muskegon, Michigan
• Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Homes, Stamford, Connecticut; Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Homes, Greenwich, Connecticut; Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, Monroe, Connecticut
• Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Albion, New York; Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Holley, New York; Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Medina, New York; Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Middleport, New York; Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Gasport, New York
• Soxman Funeral Homes, Ltd., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

NFDA also recognized milestone anniversaries – including firms earning their 15th, 20th, 25th and even 45th Pursuit of Excellence Award – underscoring a legacy of consistent, long-term leadership 

• 15th Award
  • Arlington Memorial Chapels, Inc., Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
  • Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, Hammond, Louisiana; Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, Louisiana; Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, Denham Springs, Louisiana
  • Waitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Morganville, New Jersey; Old Bridge Funeral Home, Old Bridge, New Jersey; Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, Toms River, New Jersey 
• 20th Award
  • Gamble Funeral Service, Savannah, Georgia
  • Roller Funeral Homes, Little Rock, Arkansas; Roller Funeral Home, Mountain Home, Arkansas; Roller Funeral Homes, Paris, Arkansas; Roller-Christeson Funeral Home, Harrison, Arkansas; Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, Arkansas; Roller Citizens Funeral Home, Marshall, Arkansas; Roller-Coffman-Crouch, Mountain View, Arkansas; Roller-Cox, Clarksville, Arkansas; Roller-Crouch, Batesville, Arkansas; Roller-Daniel Funeral Home, Search, Arkansas; Roller-England Funeral Home, England, Arkansas; Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home, Jonesboro, Arkansas; Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway, Arkansas; Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Clinton, Arkansas; Roller-McNutt Funeral Home – Greenbriar, Greenbriar, Arkansas; Roller-Owens Funeral Home, North Little Rock, Arkansas; Roller-Swift Funeral Home, Osceola, Arkansas
  • Weeks’ Funeral Home, Buckley, Washington; Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home, Enumclaw, Washington; Weeks’ Dryer Mortuary, Tacoma, Washington; Edline-Yahn & Covington Funeral Chapel, Kent, Washington; Columbia Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington; Haven of Rest Funeral Home & Cemetery, Gig Harbor, Washington; Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary, Centralia, Washington
• 25th Award
  • David C. Brown Funeral Home, Belleville, Michigan
  • Memorial Funeral Home, San Juan, Texas
• 45th Award
  • Myers Mortuary, Ogden, Utah; Myers Mortuary, Roy, Utah; Myers Mortuary, Brigham City, Utah; Myers Mortuary, Layton, Utah

2025 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award Recipients

A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors. Troy, Michigan; A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors – Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel, Royal Oak, Michigan; A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors – Price Chapel, Troy, Michigan 

Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes, Inc., Cheshire, ConnecticutAlderson-Ford Funeral Homes, Inc., Waterbury, Connecticut; Buckmiller Ford Mengacci Funeral Home, Naugatuck, Connecticut

Anderson & Sons Mortuary, American Fork, Utah

Ang Chin Moh Funeral Directors Pte. Ltd., Singapore

Arlington Memorial Chapels, Inc., Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Arrington Funeral Directors & Crematory, Jackson, Tennessee

A Sacred Choice Funeral Home, Houston, Texas

Bailey Family Funeral Homes, Wallingford, Connecticut; Bailey Family Funeral Homes/Connecticut Funeral Care, Plainville, Connecticut; Bailey Family Funeral Homes, Southbury, Connecticut

Bannan Funeral Home, Alpena, Michigan

Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Inc., Cridersville, Ohio

Bradbury Memorial Center, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, Hammond, Louisiana; Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, Louisiana; Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, Denham Springs, Louisiana 

Brunswick Memorial Home, East Brunswick, New Jersey; Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick, New Jersey 

Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, Covington, Georgia

Capillas Señoriales Casa de Homenajes, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Carmon Community Funeral Homes, Windsor, Connecticut; Carmon Funeral Home and Family Center, Avon, Connecticut; Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, Granby, Connecticut; Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, Suffield, Connecticut; Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, South Windsor, Connecticut; Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, Vernon, Connecticut; South Green Memorial Home, Hartford, Connecticut 

Cemitério e Crematório Parque das Allamandas, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Crown Point, Indiana Kuiper Funeral Home, Highland, Indiana 

Cook Funeral and Cremation Services, Grandville, Michigan; Reyers North Valley Chapel, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Cook Funeral and Cremation Services, Byron Center, Michigan; Kubiak Cook Funeral and Cremation Services, Wayland, Michigan; Kubiak Cook Funeral and Cremation Services, Dorr, Michigan; Koops Funeral Chapel, Lake Odessa, Michigan 

Copeland Funeral Service, Beaufort, South Carolina

Cornerstone Funeral Services & Cremations, Birmingham, Alabama

Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes Inc., Cebu City, Philippines; Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes Inc., Davao City, Philippines; Cosmopolitan Memorial Chapels and Crematory, Quezon City, Philippines 

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory, Farmington, Missouri

C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, Danvers, Massachusetts

David C. Brown Funeral Home, Belleville, Michigan

Duksa Family Funeral Homes, Newington, Connecticut Duksa Family Funeral Homes, New Britain, Connecticut

Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home and Crematory, Canal Winchester, Ohio; Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home and Crematory, Pickerington, Ohio

Empresa Vila – Crematório e Centro Funerário São José, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Falco, Caruso & Leonard Funeral Home, Pennsauken, New Jersey; Falco, Caruso & Leonard Funeral Home, Camden, New Jersey 

Finch & Finch Funeral & Cremation Service, Altavista, Virginia; Finch & Finch Funeral & Cremation Service, Gladys, Virginia 

French Funerals and Cremations, Albuquerque, New Mexico; French Funerals and Cremations – Lomas, Albuquerque, New Mexico; French Funerals and Cremations -Wyoming, Albuquerque, New Mexico; French Funerals and Cremations – Golf Course, Albuquerque, New Mexico; French Funerals and Cremations – Gold Course, Albuquerque, New Mexico; French Funerals and Cremations, Rio Rancho, New Mexico 

Funeraria San Vicente S.A., Medellin, ColombiaFuneza Zaragoza, Mexico City, Mexico; Funeza Azcapotzalco, Mexico City, Mexico; Funeza Vallejo, Mexico City, Mexico; Funeza Calle 7, Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico; Funeza Los Reyes, Los Reyes La Paz, Mexico; Funeza Periférico, Mexico City, Mexico; Funeza Ecatepec, Ecatepec, Mexico 

Gamble Funeral Service, Savannah, Georgia

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing, Michigan; Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Dewitt, Michigan; Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing, Michigan; Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Mason, Michigan; Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Williamston, Michigan; Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing, Michigan 

Grupo Gayosso, Mexico City, Mexico; Gayosso Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico; Gayosso Allende, Coahuila, Mexico; Gayosso Capillas El Carmen, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Gayosso Capillas Marianas, Monterrey, Mexico; Gayosso Capillas Vallarta, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Gayosso Colima, Mexico City, Mexico; Gayosso Cuernavaca, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; Gayosso Del Rio, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Gayosso Felix Cuevas, Mexico City, Mexico; Gayosso Francisco Villa, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico; Gayosso Lomas Memorial, Mexico City, Mexico; Gayosso Lopez Mateos, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico; Gayosso Lopez Mateos, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico; Gayosso Madero, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico; Gayosso Morelia, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico; Gayosso Periferico, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico; Gayosso Reynosa, Reynosa, Tamps, Mexico; Gayosso Santa Gema, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; Gayosso Santa Monica, Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de México, Mexico; Gayosso Sullivan, Mexico City, Mexico; Jardines Del Tiempo, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico; Mausoleos del Angel, Mexico City, Mexico; Valle De La Luz, Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Hantge-McBride-Hughes Funeral Chapels, Hutchinson, MN

Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Lakeland, Florida

H.E. Turner & Co. Inc., Batavia, New York; Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, Batavia, New York; Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, Oakfield, New York; Gilmartin Funeral Home, Batavia, New York; Marley Funeral Home, Attica, New York; Robinson & Hackemer, Warsaw, New York; Eaton-Watson Funeral Homes, Perry, New York

Hightower Family Funeral Homes, Carrollton, Georgia; Hightower Family Funeral Homes, Bremen, Georgia; Hightower Family Funeral Homes, Douglasville, Georgia 

Holman-Howe Funeral Homes, Lebanon, Missouri

Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, New Haven, Connecticut; Howard K. Hill Funeral Services. Hartford, Connecticut; Henry L. Fuqua Funeral Service (A Division of Howard K. Hill Funeral Services), Bloomfield, Connecticut 

Hughes Family Tribute Center, Dallas, Texas

Jardim da Saudade Assistência, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania; Scranton Area Cremation Care, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania 

The J.F. Floyd Mortuary, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Floyd’s Boiling Spring Chapel, Boiling Springs, South Carolina; Floyd’s Pacolet Chapel, Pacolet, South Carolina 

J. García López, Mexico City, Mexico

John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, Salem, Virginia

Johnston & Williams Funeral Homes, Ellensburg, Washington; Johnston & Williams Funeral Homes, Cle Elum, Washington 

Jones and Son Funeral Home, Richton, Mississippi; Jones and Son Funeral Home, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Jones and Son Funeral Home, Moselle, Mississippi; Jones and Son Funeral Home, Beaumont, Mississippi

Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory, Villa Rica, Georgia; Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory, Douglasville, Georgia 

Kemp Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Southfield, Michigan

Kerrville Funeral Home, Kerrville, Texas; Kimble Funeral Home, Junction, Texas; Krestridge Funeral Home, Levelland, Texas 

Lakeshore Memorial Services, Holland, Michigan; Ever Rest Funeral Home and Chapel, Muskegon, Michigan 

Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., Hamburg, New York; Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., West Seneca, New York 

Lane Funeral Home and Crematory South Crest Chapel, Rossville, Georgia

Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Homes, Stamford, Connecticut; Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Homes, Greenwich, Connecticut; Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, Monroe, Connecticut 

Macz Funeral Homes, Centralia, Illinois; Macz Funeral Homes, Odin, Illinois; Macz Funeral Homes, Sandoval, Illinois; Macz Funeral Home; Patoka, Illinois 

Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services, Mount Morris, Michigan; Detroit Cremation Society, Grand Blanc, Michigan 

McDougald Funeral Services, Anderson, South Carolina

Memorial Funeral Home, Edinburg, Texas

Memorial Funeral Home, San Juan, Texas

Mercer-Adams Funeral Service, Bethany, Oklahoma

Merkle Funeral Service, Inc., Monroe, Michigan; Merkle Funeral Service, Inc., Monroe, Michigan; Merkle Funeral Service, Inc., Erie, Michigan; Merkle Funeral Service, Inc., Dundee, Michigan; Merkle Funeral Service, Inc., Romulus, Michigan 

Miles Funeral Home, Holden, Massachusetts; Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, Sterling, Massachusetts; Kelly Cremation and Funeral Care, Worcester, Massachusetts 

Milward Funeral Directors, Lexington, Kentucky; Milward Funeral Directors – Southland, Lexington, Kentucky; Milward Funeral Directors – Man ‘O War, Lexington, Kentucky 

Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Albion, New York; Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Holley, New York; Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Medina, New York; Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Middleport, New York; Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, Inc., Gasport, New York 

Mitchell Family Funeral Home, Marshalltown, Iowa

Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland

Moments Funeral Home, Lucedale, Mississippi; Moments Funeral Home, Leakesville, Mississippi 

Monte Vista Funeral Home & Memorial Park. Johnson City, Tennessee

Morada da Paz, Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, Madison, Indiana

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

Myers Mortuary, Ogden, Utah; Myers Mortuary, Roy, Utah; Myers Mortuary, Brigham City, Utah; Myers Mortuary, Layton, Utah 

O’Donnell Cremations Funerals Celebrations, Salem, Massachusetts; O’Donnell Cremations Funerals Celebrations, Danvers, Massachusetts 

Oliverie Funeral Home, Manchester, New Jersey; Oliverie Funeral Home, Jackson, New Jersey 

Pantalone Funeral Home, Inc., Greensburg, PA

Paradise Memorial Funeral and Cremation Services, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Leon L. Williamson Funeral Home, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania 

PinesFuneral, Carthage, North Carolina PinesFuneral. Robbins, North Carolina; PinesFuneral, Aberdeen, North Carolina 

Pixley Funeral Home, Rochester, Michigan; Pixley Funeral Home, Auburn Hills, Michigan; Pixley Funeral Home, Keego Harbor, Michigan 

Pollock-Randall Funeral Home, Port Huron, Michigan; Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home, Port Huron, Michigan; Marysville Funeral Home, Marysville, Michigan 

Popp Funeral and Cremation Services, Viroqua, Wisconsin

Posey Funeral Directors, North Augusta, South Carolina

Pray Funeral Home, Inc., Charlotte, Michigan

Radney Funeral Home, Alexander City, Alabama; Langley Funeral Home, Camp Hill, Alabama 

Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory, Coal City, Illinois; Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory, Morris, Illinois; Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory, Gardner, Illinois; Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory, Morris, Illinois; Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory, Wilmington, Illinois 

Return Home, Auburn, Washington

Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Traverse City, Michigan

Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory – Downtown, Easley, South Carolina; Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory – Powdersville Road, Easley, South Carolina; Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons, South Carolina 

Roller Funeral Homes, Little Rock, Arkansas; Roller Funeral Home, Mountain Home, Arkansas; Roller Funeral Homes, Paris, Arkansas; Roller-Christeson Funeral Home, Harrison, Arkansas; Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, Arkansas; Roller Citizens Funeral Home, Marshall, Arkansas; Roller-Coffman-Crouch, Mountain View, Arkansas; Roller-Cox, Clarksville, Arkansas; Roller-Crouch, Batesville, Arkansas; Roller-Daniel Funeral Home, Search, Arkansas; Roller-England Funeral Home, England, Arkansas; Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home, Jonesboro, Arkansas; Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway, Arkansas; Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Clinton, Arkansas; Roller-McNutt Funeral Home – Greenbriar, Greenbriar, Arkansas; Roller-Owens Funeral Home, North Little Rock, Arkansas; Roller-Swift Funeral Home, Osceola, Arkansas 

Schramka Funeral Homes, Brookfield, Wisconsin; Schramka Funeral Homes, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; Schramka Funeral Homes, Thiensville, Wisconsin 

Señoriales Corporación de Servicio, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Soxman Funeral Homes, Ltd., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory, New Castle, Delaware; Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory, Newark, Delaware; Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory, Delaware City, Delaware; Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory, Middletown, Delaware 

St. Peter Chapels, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City, Tennessee; Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Bristol, Tennessee 

Thomas McAfee Funeral Home – Downtown, Greenville, South Carolina; Thomas McAfee Funeral Home – Northwest, Greenville, South Carolina; Thomas McAfee Funeral Home – Southeast, Simpsonville, South Carolina; Gray Mortuary, Pelzer, South Carolina 

Twiford Funeral Homes, LLC and Albemarle Crematorium, Elizabeth City, North Carolina Twiford Funeral Homes, LLC, Manteo, North Carolina 

Waitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Morganville, New Jersey; Old Bridge Funeral Home, Old Bridge, New Jersey; Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, Toms River, New Jersey 

Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, Salt Lake City, Utah; Valley View Memorial Park and Funeral Home, West Valley City, Utah; Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park South Valley, Riverton, Utah 

Weeks’ Funeral Home, Buckley, Washington; Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home, Enumclaw, Washington; Weeks’ Dryer Mortuary, Tacoma, Washington; Edline-Yahn & Covington Funeral Chapel, Kent, Washington; Columbia Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington; Haven of Rest Funeral Home & Cemetery, Gig Harbor, Washington; Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary, Centralia, Washington 

Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, Royal Oak, Michigan; Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, Utica, Michigan

About NFDA

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 NFDA.org.   

OGR Announces Nominees for Prestigious Industry Awards

Indianapolis (March 17, 2025) – The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) is proud to announce this year’s finalists for OGR’s Professional Service Awards. We congratulate these funeral homes that have exhibited outstanding compassion for the families they serve and a commitment to their community. Nominees will be recognized at the Golden Circle Celebration on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at OGR’s signature event, PROGRESS, held in Riverside, Calif.

OGR is the world’s leading professional association dedicated to making independent funeral homes exceptional. The Golden Rule Community Service Awards are awarded in recognition of a funeral home’s outstanding community service as demonstrated by activities benefiting local organizations or community events.

2025 Community Service Nominees:

• Arlington Memorial Chapels, Inc. | Quezon City, Manila, Philippines
• Veterans Funeral Care | Clearwater, FL
• Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory | Yankton, SD
• Brunswick Memorial Home | East Brunswick, NJ

The Exemplary Service Awards are given to firms for outstanding customer service provided to families during their time of loss. Nominees were selected based on comments families provided through OGR’s Family Contact Survey Program.

2025 Exemplary Service Award Nominees:

• Jakubs – Waite Funeral Home | Cleveland, OH
• Freitag Funeral Home Service | Bridgeton, NJ
• Koch Funeral Home | Ellicott, MD
• Harrod Brother’s Funeral Home | Frankfort, KY
• Moore Family Funeral Service | Tulsa, OK
• Heafey-Hoffman-Dworak-Cutler Mortuaries & Crematory | Omaha, NE
• Plummer Funeral Services, INC. | Litchfield, IL
• Stewart Family Funeral Home | Tyler, TX
• Oliverie Funeral Home | Manchester, NJ
• Moore Funeral Service | Hattiesburg, MS
• Farmer & Son Funeral Home, Inc. | Geneva, NE
• Brunswick Memorial Home | East Brunswick, NJ
• Pray Funeral Home, Inc. | Charlotte, MI
• Osborne Funeral Home | Williamsport, MD

“This type of work helps bring communities together. It is exceptional OGR members like these that embrace and encourage community involvement and excellence in service year-round,” said Wendy King CAE, CVA, OGR’s Executive Director.

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About the International Order of the Golden Rule

Since 1928, the International Order of the Golden Rule has been the leading professional association dedicated to promoting high ethical standards and outstanding service in the funeral and memorialization profession. OGR members represent the elite in the industry, consistently providing compassionate and personalized care to families in their time of need. OGR is headquartered in Indianapolis. For more information, visit www.ogr.org.

Twenty-five Funeral Professionals Selected for Prestigious NFDA Meet the Mentors Program

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is proud to announce the 25 funeral professionals selected to participate in the 2025 Meet the Mentors program. This prestigious event, made possible through the generous support of the Funeral Service Foundation, will take place April 8-10, 2025, in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the NFDA Advocacy Summit. 

Since its inception in 2011, Meet the Mentors has provided up-and-coming funeral service professionals with invaluable opportunities to learn from some of the most accomplished leaders in the profession. This year’s event will be particularly impactful, combining mentorship with real-world advocacy on Capitol Hill. 

“Meet the Mentors is a transformative experience for funeral service professionals early in their careers,” said Sara Moss, MS, FT, LFD, NFDA associate director of Education. “Bringing this program to Washington, D.C., allows our mentees to not only gain career-changing insights from our distinguished mentors but also to develop the advocacy skills necessary to shape the future of funeral service.” 

Congratulations to the 2025 Meet the Mentors Participants 

The following individuals have been selected for this year’s program:

• Craig L. Adams Jr. – Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Service, Baltimore, Maryland
• Christopher Boggs – MacNabb Funeral Home, Catonsville, Maryland
• Makenzie Briggs – Roeder Mortuaries, Omaha, Nebraska
• Jessica Cespedes – Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania
• Simone Coplin – Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, North Dakota
• Lydia D’Atri – Thomas McAfee Funeral Home Greenville, South Carolina
• Peyton Davis – Smith Family Funeral Homes – Little Rock Chapel, Little Rock, Arkansas
• Sarah Beth Drake – Cantlon Otterness & Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo, Missouri
• Amanda Earl – Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Manchester, New Hampshire
• Gregory Fountain – Newcomer Funeral Service Group, Orlando, Florida
• Jayme Fuscaldo – Jersey Memorial Group, Old Bridge, New Jersey
• Hanna McClellan – Howe-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Taylor, Michigan
• Haisten Murphree – Glover Funeral Home, Dothan, Alabama
• Shelby Ogozaly – Perman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• David Pryor – Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys, Kansas
• Stephen Rios – Altmeyer Funeral Home, Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Aiyanna Rivera – Pollock-Randall Funeral Home, Port Huron, Michigan
• Jason Sertich – Wenig Funeral Homes, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
• Tina Spedden – Lee Funeral Home, Owings, Maryland
• Loran Spence – Carmon Community Funeral Homes, Windsor, Connecticut
• Jarell Springfield – Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, Merrillville, Indiana
• Nicholas Todd – Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Amy Trigoura – Fred Hunter’s, Funeral Home, Crematory & Cemetery, Davie, Florida
• Anna Urciuoli – Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, Greenwich, Connecticut
• Gary T. Whitley Jr. – Nelms Memorial Funeral Home, Huntsville, Alabama 

An Unparalleled Mentorship and Advocacy Experience The 2025 Meet the Mentors program will feature three renowned funeral service leaders, who will share insights, career guidance and expertise with the mentees through interactive roundtable discussions and networking opportunities:

• Dr. Camelia Clarke – Co-owner of Paradise Memorial Funeral & Cremation Services and Leon L. Williamson Funeral Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A past president of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, she is also an NFDA Spokesperson Team member and actively engaged in her local community.
• Lori Sheeler – General Manager of Wilson-St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory in Greenwood, Indiana. She has served in key leadership roles, including Vice Chair of the Indiana Funeral Education Foundation and District 7 Director for the Indiana Funeral Directors Association.
• Tim Schramm – Owner and CEO of Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes in Michigan. He is a recognized expert in funeral service management and mass fatality response, currently leading the Michigan Mortuary Response Team (MI-MORT) and serving on the Funeral Service Foundation’s Board of Trustees. 

Additionally, mentees will participate in NFDA’s Advocacy Summit, where they will meet with Members of Congress to discuss key issues affecting funeral service professionals and the families they serve. This hands-on experience will provide mentees with an inside look at the legislative process and the critical role advocacy plays in shaping the future of the profession. 

For more information about Meet the Mentors, visit NFDA.org/Mentors or contact NFDA at (800) 228-6332. NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving more than 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.