The music license that NFDA has offered for over 20 years covers the performance of music (live or recorded) that is played at any funeral service, whether at the funeral home or at another facility as long as it is performed in connection with some type of funeral or memorial service or ceremony.

While the music license covers performance, a different license is required for a funeral home to broadcast musical performances over the internet. Funeral homes that offer funeral webcasting services are violating copyright laws when they broadcast over the internet any funeral services that contain copyrighted music.

NFDA has finalized agreements with BMI, ASCAP and SESAC to offer the only group webcasting license available to funeral homes in the market, enabling you to legally broadcast funeral services that include copyrighted music over the Internet.

Download Application for Music License & Webcasting License

NFDA Music License Only Fee & Qualifications

NFDA has expanded its music license program, offering the lowest rate available in the profession.

Because of NFDA’s commitment to allied associations, it is extending an invitation to FAMIC (Funeral and Memorial Information Council) member organizations and NFDA federated state associations to participate in this offering. To qualify for the $311 music license only fee, a participant must be a member of one of those organizations. This is the same rate that NFDA members currently receive.

FAMIC members include:

The license covers all three licensing organizations—BMI, SESAC and ASCAP. Though the music license is available to FAMIC and federated state associations, the program is administered by NFDA, and music license payments should be sent directly to NFDA. The license fee does not include membership to NFDA, which provides benefits such as The Director magazine, free marketing and public relations materials, and discounted continuing education offerings.

“This is an issue that has far-reaching effects on the funeral service profession,” says NFDA Chief Executive Officer Christine Pepper, CAE. “Now that the music licensing agencies have granted NFDA this opportunity, we can provide another option for firms in the country, particularly the smaller firm. If a significant number of funeral directors, cremationists and cemeterians respond positively, we may have even more bargaining power with the music licensing agencies, resulting in an even lower rate in the future."