The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) 2014 International Convention & Expo, held October 12-15 in Nashville, Tenn., drew 6,296 total attendees and 383 exhibiting companies to an event that continues to open new doors to opportunity for the funeral service community. This is the association’s second highest total attendance in the last 15 years, topped only by the 2011 NFDA Convention held in Chicago, Ill.
“This convention is one that I and our attendees will never forget,” said NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, CAE. “Topping the list of memories I will always treasure was our Service of Remembrance when Vince Gill sang his moving song ‘Go Rest High on that Mountain.’”
She continued: “We had an exceptional slate of workshops that helped attendees think about funeral service in new ways and also offered practical ideas that could be implemented immediately. The Expo Hall is a highlight for many because, in addition to connecting with their valued supplier partners, they also discover new products and services that they can offer to families in their communities. From the Welcome Party at the Wildhorse Saloon to the closing party at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, our guests had lots of opportunities to network and have fun experiencing the sites and sounds of Music City.”
NFDA Releases Cremation and Burial Report
According to a new report announced by Pepper during the Opening General Session of the NFDA Convention, the rate of cremation is projected to surpass that of burial in 2015. The 2014 NFDA Cremation and Burial Report: Research, Statistics and Projections features statistics and in-depth analysis of consumer attitudes toward cremation.
According to the report, the rate of cremation was estimated to be 45.1 percent in 2013; that year, the rate of burial was estimated to be 48.9 percent. By the end of 2015, the rates of cremation and burial are projected to be 48.2 percent and 45.8 percent, respectively. The 2014 NFDA Cremation and Burial Report: Research, Statistics and Projections is available to NFDA members at no charge. It can be downloaded from the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/tools/cremation. Members can request a printed copy by calling their member services representative.
2015 NFDA International Convention & Expo
Anticipation for next year’s NFDA International Convention & Expo is already building. The 2015 NFDA International Convention & Expo will take place October 18-21 In Indianapolis, Ind. This year, the city was named one of the New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2014” and topped the list of USA Today’s top convention cities in the United States.