For Immediate Release: May 16, 2019

Brookfield, Wis. – Embalmers of all skill levels are invited to learn from some of the funeral profession’s preeminent experts during the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) second Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar of 2019, taking place August 15-16 at John A. Gupton College in Nashville, Tenn.

The dynamic and engaging NFDA Embalming and Restorative Art Seminar offers both experienced and novice embalmers an opportunity to cultivate their knowledge and techniques; everything they learn can be immediately applied when they return to their funeral home.

The seminar will be led by some of the country’s most respected authorities on embalming and restorative art:

• Dominick J. Astorino, CFSP, MBIE, adjunct faculty at Wayne State University Department of Mortuary Science and managing director and embalmer at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons Inc. in Detroit, Mich.
• Scott Gilligan, NFDA general counsel and owner of Gilligan Law Offices in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Wallace Hooker, CFSP, MBIE, owner, funeral director and embalmer at Family & Friends Funeral Home in Wingate, Ind.
• Amanda Marie Ellis King, licensed funeral director and embalmer from Springfield, Mo.

These noted experts will lead sessions on a variety of topics, including embalming procedures and techniques for all experience levels; advanced restorative art techniques to help make the most difficult cases presentable; the application of cosmetics; and how to manage risk and reduce liability exposure.

Participants in the inaugural Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar in 2018 raved about the program. One attendee said, “I would highly recommend this conference for any funeral director – from apprentice to 50-year licensee – everyone will benefit from it, whether you learn a new embalming/restoration tip or renew your passion for what we do for families."

Attendees will save $25 when they register on or before July 16.

• NFDA member licensed funeral director 
  • On or before July 16: $225
  • After July 16: $250
• Nonmember licensed funeral director
  • On or before July 16: $375
  • After July 16: $400
• Student/Apprentice
  • On or before July 16: $100
  • After July 16: $125

Complete details about the August 2019 NFDA Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar in Nashville, including information on how to register, can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/embalmingseminar.   

There are a number of hotels located near John A. Gupton College; attendees may visit www.nfda.org/embalmingseminar for recommendations.

Keep Your Embalming Skills Sharp With NFDA

Embalmers will also have a chance to refine their skills during the 2019 NFDA International Convention & Expo, taking place October 27-30 in Chicago, Ill. Vernie Fountain, CFSP, will present a preconvention seminar on Sunday, October 27, Embalming and Reconstructive Techniques for Trauma, Including Organ and Tissue Cases (additional registration required).

Convention attendees will be able to partake in the following workshops on embalming and restorative art:

• Reconstructive Techniques for Severe Trauma presented by Jason Mishler, CFSP (Sunday)
• Post-procurement Embalming Best Practices presented by Thomas Buist (Monday)
• From the Cot to the Chapel presented by Wallace Hooker, CFSP, MBIE (Tuesday)
• Elevate Your Embalming Skills Now! Presented by Matt Smith (Wednesday)

Complete details about the 2019 NFDA International Convention & Expo can be found online, www.nfda.org/chicago2019.

Embalmers who have questions about how to approach a challenge they face in the prep room or want to share a tip that has helped them in the past can visit the online “Embalmers’ Community.” Exclusively for NFDA members, the online community is a place to share ideas and collaborate with peers. The “Embalmers’ Community” can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org (click on the “Resources” link at the top of the page; choose “Online Communities” from the menu).

For some embalmers, traveling to a conference may not fit with the demands of their business. NFDA offers several online learning courses focused on technical skills that enable funeral professionals to boost their skills wherever and whenever they have Internet access. Courses cover embalming risk management, caring for obese individuals, soft tissue repair, trauma cases and more.

A full list of NFDA online learning courses can be found on the association’s website, www.nfda.org/olc. 

NFDA developed a consumer brochure, Embalming: Answers to Your Questions. This brochure helps families understand the embalming process, the value of viewings and visitations as part of end-of-life rituals, and answers common questions they may have. The brochure can be ordered through the NFDA Resource Store, www.nfda.org/store, or by calling 800-228-6332.

Funeral directors may also want to encourage families they serve to visit NFDA’s new consumer-facing website, Remembering A Life, which serves as a guide to honoring a life well-lived, from planning a tribute to mourning a loved one. The site offers guidance on how to start the planning process, the kinds of decisions families will make, and the many options available to make a tribute personal and meaningful. The site highlights information on service options (including embalming and the value of viewing); details about cremation and burial; and prefunding options.

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.

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Contact: Jessica Koth, 262-814-1536, jkoth@nfda.org