Why do you go to the NFDA convention? Is it for the opportunity to catch up with friends, grow your education, and see what is new on the exhibit floor? Are you going to learn from your fellow funeral directors, and maybe an exhibitor or two? If you are going I bet it is because you know the NFDA convention is one of the best places to do these things.
The NFDA convention is one of the best places to recharge your relationships in the industry, grow your creativity, and find new ways to expand your business. Unfortunately we cannot all go to Philadelphia. Some of us do not have the budget, others cannot afford to take time away from their business, and these are just two of the reasons many in our industry cannot take advantage of our national convention.
If you are not going to the NFDA I want to ask you: what are you doing to gain the multitude of benefits the convention offers? Will you reach out to your friends that are going and ask them to help you learn from their experience at this year’s convention? Are you going to look to the Internet and experience this year’s NFDA online? In this day and age you know that not going to the convention does not mean you do not get to learn from it.
You can learn from the nine NFDA Pursuit of Excellence award winners that are now up for the Best of the Best Award on your computer right now. Wondering how a funeral home becomes eligible for the Best of the Best Award? According to NFDA.org, “All Pursuit of Excellence applicants submitted an essay describing the development and execution of a program or service that had a positive impact on the families they serve or their community, qualifying them for the Best of the Best Award, which recognizes the most novel and innovative programs and services in the profession.”
Ready to learn from nine of the best funeral homes in America? Go to: http://www.nfda.org/membership/recognition-programs/pursuit-of-excellence. Here you will learn how Geisen Funeral, Cremation and Reception Centre in Crown Point, IN is helping their community show their love for their pets and how this program might help you grow your human and pet service offerings. Read how Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre in Madison, IN is infusing their grief support efforts and community with day trips that bring a smile to all who participate. Let Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Johnson City, TN and Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Traverse City, MI inspire you to expand your effort to help children facing grief. Learn what Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN is doing to “go above and beyond from the cookie cutter funeral” to help their families capture more memories.
See how Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory in Marion, VA follows Mother Teresa’s advice “Don’t look for big things, just do small things with great love.” They may help you find new ways to help your community when Mother Nature is screaming outside. Let Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home and Crematory in New Castle, Newark, and Delaware City, DE inspire you to connect with young adults. They might open your mind to new ideas on how you can help your community celebrate life. Look at what Tetrick Funeral Home in Elizabethton, TN is doing to honor their communities best hospice caregivers with the “Tetrick Hospice Caregiver Award.” I bet you will love how they let the universe choose the caregiver of the year! Then you can read about how Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, MN “became the home to a very special library” by joining with the Little Free Library program started in 2009 by Todd Bol from Hudson, WI.
Even better, share what you are doing to help your families and community during their times of need. Tell us how you help people come together and celebrate all parts of life. Let me write a column about how you are reaching beyond your walls.
Please visit us in Philadelphia at the Merry Christmas From Heaven® Booth #2646. You are the reason I write this column. Please give me your thoughts so I can share them with your fellow funeral directors, cemetery managers, and aftercare providers. If you are not going to the convention, please reach out to me by email me at kristan@mooneytunco.com, give me a ring at 781-331-5308, or join in the conversation on the Let’s Chat Blog: https://www.nomispublications.com/blog.aspx.