About the Program
The Foundation recognizes that celebrants who serve families extends beyond licensed funeral directors. Oftentimes hospice and healthcare professionals, clergy, chaplains, educators, counselors, social workers, and others work with funeral homes to provide families with personalized and meaningful memorialization experiences.
Scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant.
The Award
Ten scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant. Offered by InSight Institute, the scholarship is available solely for the seminar held June 24-26 at the NFDA Headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Valued at up to $2,000, scholarships cover registration fees, two nights of hotel accommodations and up to $500 in travel reimbursement. Registration for the seminar opens in March 2026.
Event Dates
NFDA will host Certified Celebrant Training at its national headquarters in Brookfield, WI (just outside of Milwaukee) June 24-26, 2026.
Submission Cycle
- February 3 - April 16.
- All applicants will be notified of their status in early May.
Eligibility
- Open to NFDA members and non-members.
- Open to those in the United States or Canada who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home.
Terms & Guidelines
- Scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant.
- Scholarships are available solely for NFDA-hosted Certified Celebrant Training, in partnership with Insight Institute.
- Recipients of other Funeral Service Foundation scholarships may apply.
- Those who have already registered for the seminar may apply.
- Scholarships will be awarded without regard to race, religious beliefs, age, national origin, or disability.
- Scholarships are available to NFDA members and non-members.
- Scholarships are not renewable and a candidate may only receive this award once.
- If unable to attend designated scholarship events, the scholarship recipient will forfeit his or her scholarship for that year, but may apply in subsequent years.
- All scholarships are subject to available funds.
- All award decisions of the Funeral Service Foundation are final.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a scholarship recipient decides not to accept the award.
- Only completed applications will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- The Funeral Service Foundation reserves the right to eliminate from consideration incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- Recipients will be notified via email.
------------
What We're Looking for in a Candidate
Our scholarship evaluation is based on three core pillars that reflect a candidate's readiness to become a successful, sustainable leader in the funeral service profession. We seek to partner with candidates who demonstrate genuine passion, strategic vision, and personal commitment.
1. Merit & Professional Potential
We seek candidates who are forward-thinking and demonstrate high potential to make a lasting impact.
- Strategic Vision: Show us a clear, thoughtful plan for your professional future. Do you understand the opportunities and changes facing the profession, and can you articulate how you will apply new insights to advance your work or community?
- Unique Fit: Define the distinct skills, experiences, or unique perspectives that will enrich your service to families and elevate your potential as a leader.
- Impact & Interpersonal skills: Demonstrate how you have contributed to positive outcomes in your firm, school, or community — or share a clear plan for creating meaningful impact. We value candidates who show initiative in leading, collaborating, and uplifting others.
2. Commitment to Success & Full Potential
We assess the viability of your plan to ensure that this scholarship allows you to achieve your maximum potential without undue strain.
- Resilience & Sustainability: For professional development, articulate a proactive, personal strategy for sustainability and well-being.
- Feasibility & Dedication: Explain how our scholarship will serve as a critical resource. Show us that you have taken personal initiative in securing the resources needed to realize your goals.
- Maximizing Potential: We view this award as an investment in the most promising talent. Show us how removing financial or time obstacles will enable you to fully dedicate yourself to your studies or training, thereby maximizing your contribution and impact upon completion.
3. Authenticity & Communication
We value the personal honesty and professional maturity required to serve the public.
- Authentic Voice: Your responses should be personal, written in your unique voice, and demonstrate deep reflection. Show your ability to convey meaningful personal narratives (e.g., a defining moment, a growth experience, or a challenging transition) with maturity and sincere insight.
- Professional Poise (Video): For the video question, we assess your presence, clarity, and genuine connection to the material. Your ability to communicate effectively and engage an audience is essential for serving families and representing the profession.
- Professional Thoroughness: All applications should be complete, well-organized, and adhere to all word and time limits, demonstrating the high standard of attention to detail required in deathcare.
------------
AI Usage Policy for Scholarship Applicants
The Foundation values the authenticity and originality of every applicant's voice and experience. Therefore, while preparing your application, you may use AI tools (such as grammar checkers or editing assistants) for refining your work. Acceptable uses include checking grammar, improving sentence flow, or adjusting your personal narrative to meet word count limits.
However, all ideas, strategic analysis, and personal narratives must be original to you. It is strictly prohibited to use AI tools to generate the core content of the essays, formulate your main arguments, or select the specific personal experiences required by the prompts. Any submission found to contain non-original, AI-generated content may be disqualified, as your thoughtful, personal insight is the sole basis of our evaluation.
Certified Celebrant Training Scholarships
About the Program
The Foundation recognizes that celebrants who serve families extends beyond licensed funeral directors. Oftentimes hospice and healthcare professionals, clergy, chaplains, educators, counselors, social workers, and others work with funeral homes to provide families with personalized and meaningful memorialization experiences.
Scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant.
The Award
Ten scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant. Offered by InSight Institute, the scholarship is available solely for the seminar held June 24-26 at the NFDA Headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Valued at up to $2,000, scholarships cover registration fees, two nights of hotel accommodations and up to $500 in travel reimbursement. Registration for the seminar opens in March 2026.
Event Dates
NFDA will host Certified Celebrant Training at its national headquarters in Brookfield, WI (just outside of Milwaukee) June 24-26, 2026.
Submission Cycle
- February 3 - April 16.
- All applicants will be notified of their status in early May.
Eligibility
- Open to NFDA members and non-members.
- Open to those in the United States or Canada who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home.
Terms & Guidelines
- Scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant.
- Scholarships are available solely for NFDA-hosted Certified Celebrant Training, in partnership with Insight Institute.
- Recipients of other Funeral Service Foundation scholarships may apply.
- Those who have already registered for the seminar may apply.
- Scholarships will be awarded without regard to race, religious beliefs, age, national origin, or disability.
- Scholarships are available to NFDA members and non-members.
- Scholarships are not renewable and a candidate may only receive this award once.
- If unable to attend designated scholarship events, the scholarship recipient will forfeit his or her scholarship for that year, but may apply in subsequent years.
- All scholarships are subject to available funds.
- All award decisions of the Funeral Service Foundation are final.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a scholarship recipient decides not to accept the award.
- Only completed applications will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- The Funeral Service Foundation reserves the right to eliminate from consideration incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- Recipients will be notified via email.
------------
What We're Looking for in a Candidate
Our scholarship evaluation is based on three core pillars that reflect a candidate's readiness to become a successful, sustainable leader in the funeral service profession. We seek to partner with candidates who demonstrate genuine passion, strategic vision, and personal commitment.
1. Merit & Professional Potential
We seek candidates who are forward-thinking and demonstrate high potential to make a lasting impact.
- Strategic Vision: Show us a clear, thoughtful plan for your professional future. Do you understand the opportunities and changes facing the profession, and can you articulate how you will apply new insights to advance your work or community?
- Unique Fit: Define the distinct skills, experiences, or unique perspectives that will enrich your service to families and elevate your potential as a leader.
- Impact & Interpersonal skills: Demonstrate how you have contributed to positive outcomes in your firm, school, or community — or share a clear plan for creating meaningful impact. We value candidates who show initiative in leading, collaborating, and uplifting others.
2. Commitment to Success & Full Potential
We assess the viability of your plan to ensure that this scholarship allows you to achieve your maximum potential without undue strain.
- Resilience & Sustainability: For professional development, articulate a proactive, personal strategy for sustainability and well-being.
- Feasibility & Dedication: Explain how our scholarship will serve as a critical resource. Show us that you have taken personal initiative in securing the resources needed to realize your goals.
- Maximizing Potential: We view this award as an investment in the most promising talent. Show us how removing financial or time obstacles will enable you to fully dedicate yourself to your studies or training, thereby maximizing your contribution and impact upon completion.
3. Authenticity & Communication
We value the personal honesty and professional maturity required to serve the public.
- Authentic Voice: Your responses should be personal, written in your unique voice, and demonstrate deep reflection. Show your ability to convey meaningful personal narratives (e.g., a defining moment, a growth experience, or a challenging transition) with maturity and sincere insight.
- Professional Poise (Video): For the video question, we assess your presence, clarity, and genuine connection to the material. Your ability to communicate effectively and engage an audience is essential for serving families and representing the profession.
- Professional Thoroughness: All applications should be complete, well-organized, and adhere to all word and time limits, demonstrating the high standard of attention to detail required in deathcare.
------------
AI Usage Policy for Scholarship Applicants
The Foundation values the authenticity and originality of every applicant's voice and experience. Therefore, while preparing your application, you may use AI tools (such as grammar checkers or editing assistants) for refining your work. Acceptable uses include checking grammar, improving sentence flow, or adjusting your personal narrative to meet word count limits.
However, all ideas, strategic analysis, and personal narratives must be original to you. It is strictly prohibited to use AI tools to generate the core content of the essays, formulate your main arguments, or select the specific personal experiences required by the prompts. Any submission found to contain non-original, AI-generated content may be disqualified, as your thoughtful, personal insight is the sole basis of our evaluation.