2024 Agenda

Join us Saturday, October 19, for a day of giving back to the New Orleans community. This year, we are working with Rebuilding Together, a sister organization of Habitat for Humanity that helps repair existing homes in struggling NOLA neighborhoods. Volunteer and reflect the spirit of service that defines the funeral service profession.

Now in its twenty-fourth year, the Funeral Service Foundation's golf outing has raised more than $1.75 million in support of its mission of investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities.

Join funeral directors and allied professionals of all skill levels for the Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic! Held in conjunction with the annual NFDA International Convention & Expo, the shotgun scramble style tournament is one of the best networking opportunities in the profession. 

This year, we'll be hitting the links at TPC Louisiana, part of the PGA Tour's Tournament Players Club network, and host of the Zurich Classic each spring. 

Join the fun as a sponsor or underwriter! Last year alone, more than 65 companies and firms came together to support the profession on the big day.

Tour New Orleans with a local guide and see the city like a local. Visit popular sites, hidden gems and hear the stories that make the Big Easy what it is. Uncover a rich past and marvel at the vibrant community that thrives today.

Sold Out

Culinary treats await on this mouthwatering tour. Enjoy tasty cuisine at several top restaurants, as well as food you can only experience in New Orleans. Your taste buds will thank you!

Join us for an exclusive event tailored specifically for women in the funeral service. Whether you’re a past attendee of our Professional Women’s Conference or new to our community, this is your chance to reconnect with familiar faces and forge new friendships.

• Networking Opportunities: Engage with fellow funeral directors and industry professionals in a supportive and welcoming environment.
  • Inspiring conversations
  • Share experiences, challenges, and successes
• Building Camaraderie: Enjoy a relaxed setting designed to foster genuine connections and a sense of togetherness.
• Fabulous Giveaways: Get to know fellow attendees with fun games, fabulous prizes, and a little something special to take with you to enjoy during Convention!
• 2025 PWC Reveal: Find out where and when the next Professional Women's Conference will be!
• Inspiration at Its Best: Meet and learn from Leili McMurrough, the 2024 Inspiration Award winner.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to strengthen your professional network and be part of a community that celebrates and supports women in funeral service.

This event is graciously sponsored by NGL. RSVP is required - please email cvondenbergh@nfda.org for more information. Open to convention attendees only

“I am thrilled to host this premier event, offering a unique opportunity to reconnect with and meet like-minded women in Funeral Service who have become and will become lifelong friends. NGL is proud to support this effort as the ReConnect sponsor, as well as the sponsor of the NFDA Inspiration Award.

The 2024 Professional Women’s Conference sparked many important conversations about innovative solutions to current challenges in Death Care. Now in its third year, ReConnect serves as the perfect venue to continue those discussions with past PWC attendees as well as all women in funeral service and kick off your convention week with a fun, engaging start.”

Jennifer Kaset
VP, Sales and Business Development 
National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL)

"Another Life" is a movie about the ups and downs in the life of a funeral director named Danny Jefferson, a man with hearing disability who finds solace, comfort, and comedy in the back of an embalming room.

Director Dean Jones will be on hand to introduce the film and answer questions following the screening.

1380 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Float Den 
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the River City Ballroom

Mardi Gras World offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of dazzling Mardi Gras floats. Amidst amazing music, attendees can indulge in delightful hors d'oeuvres and refreshing beverages, including the iconic New Orleans Hurricane. Kick off your convention in style and connect with friends old and new during this free event!

Sold Out

Learn the historical and cultural significance of the churches and cemeteries in New Orleans and how the unique blend of French, Spanish and Caribbean influences weave their way into everyday life.

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (Room provided in registration confirmation)

Information

A moonshiner, a funeral director and a lobbyist walk into a conference...

Join us live for moonshine tales and conversation with TV star Digger Manes, NFDA Secretary Chris Christian and NFDA lobbyist Lesley Witter.

The event includes photo op, Sugarlands Distilling Co. swag and Mark & Digger's moonshine samples - and maybe a surprise or two.

Digger Manes, renowned for his role on the Discovery Channel’s hit show "Moonshiners" and his partnership with Sugarlands Distilling Co., will share his remarkable journey from working in funeral service to becoming a master moonshiner.

…buy a ticket to hear what happens.

Political Action Committee (PAC): Contributions or gifts to NFDA PAC are not tax deductible and are limited by federal law to $5,000 per person, per year. In accordance with federal law, contributions are strictly voluntary and not a condition of NFDA membership. All personal contributions to NFDA PAC are used in support of candidates for federal office. Corporate contributions cannot be used in support of candidates for federal office and are attributed to NFDA's Political Education Fund.

Join the NFDA Board of Directors as the association celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of funeral homes and funeral service professionals during the past year:

• 2024 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients
• NFDA Green Funeral Practice Certificate holders
• NFDA Cremation Certification designees
• NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultants
• Funeral Service Foundation scholarship recipients
• 2024-25 NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program participants
• 2024 Meet the Mentors program participants
• 2024 NFDA Inspiration Award recipient
• NFDA International Professional Achievement Certificate holders
• Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice Certified Funeral Service Practitioners

Sold Out

Wander the streets of the French Quarter and listen to ghoulish tales of a haunted past. The history of New Orleans never sounded so chilling.

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans

Coaches depart for the 5K at 6:15 a.m. from the Hilton Riverside New Orleans, the Sheraton New Orleans and the Marriott Warehouse Arts District.

Lace up those running shoes for a unique networking event that can only happen at the Lake Lawn Metairie. As you circle the track on the beautiful grounds of this historic cemetery, let your steps resonate with reverence for the past and appreciation for fellow striders who selflessly care for others every single day. 

When someone dies in New Orleans, a traditional New Orleans funeral service might begin with a slow march from the deceased’s home to the church or funeral home. During the march, a horse-drawn hearse might carry the casket, accompanied by a brass band playing somber dirges and hymns. This year’s NFDA Service of Remembrance will incorporate these traditions while honoring the memory of funeral service family members who died during the past year.

More Info >>

Explore Louisiana's swamps and waterways and learn the history of the bayous. This unique ecosystem is home to alligators, wild pigs, raccoons, more than 200 bird species, and more!

Curious about the darker facets of humanity? In the heart of the French Quarter, where jazz notes mingle with the scent of magnolias, lie secrets etched in blood. New Orleans, soulful and charming, has always harbored a seedy underbelly. From its origins as a refuge for the downtrodden – those released from poorhouses and prisons, seeking a fresh start – to the present day, where unspeakable acts continue to unfold, New Orleans wears its scars.

Join us as we pass historic buildings that hold more than architectural beauty. These walls whisper of violence, betrayal and the desperate cries of victims. The shadows deepen, revealing tales of passion, revenge and the macabre. As the sun sets, the past awakens, and you'll find yourself immersed in a chilling narrative – one that transcends time and leaves an indelible mark on your soul. 

Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Two Poydras Street, St. Charles Room, Third Floor

Members attending the convention from outside the U.S. are invited to join NFDA President Dutch Nie and members of the NFDA Board of Directors for a private reception.

This special event is by invitation only. Please sign up in advance.