About the Program
Designed to foster leadership development, professional growth, and mentorship connections among early-career funeral service professionals, the program is intended for NFDA-members, licensed funeral directors/embalmers age 40 or under, or newly licensed within the last five years.
Participants will also take part in NFDA’s annual Advocacy Summit, gaining firsthand exposure to national leaders and the power of advocacy.
Submission Cycle
- December 9-January 12.
- Selected participants will be notified in late January.
Eligibility
- Open to NFDA members.
- Open to early-career funeral professionals, licensed in the United States or Canada.
- First- or second-career funeral directors first licensed up to 5 years.
- Funeral directors 40 years of age or younger.
Submission Requirements
- Supply required information (including FD license number).
- Upload a brief letter of good standing from your employer stating that you are eligible to attend.
- Upload a video answering how your participation in Meet the Mentors will help you make a meaningful impact in your workplace or community.
Terms & Guidelines
- Online submissions only.
- One entry per person.
- Past Meet the Mentors attendees are not eligible to attend.
- Registration is non-transferable.
- Up to 25 participants will be selected.
- The 2026 NFDA Meet the Mentors Conference is scheduled for April 14 - 17, 2026 in Washington, D.C (alongside NFDA Advocacy Summit).
- Participants are responsible for all travel costs.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a participant decides not to accept the program award.
- Applicant must be an NFDA member at the time of application and event.
- NFDA and the Funeral Service Foundation will only confirm receipt of completed applications and reserve the right to eliminate from consideration unsigned or incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- Serious protracted illness or injury that would delay participation in the program may be considered reason for holding an award in reserve.
- Time limits and other restrictions may be set by NFDA's Board of Directors. Other leaves of absence will be considered on an individual basis.
- All award decisions of NFDA are final.
- NFDA reserves the right to cancel the program due to circumstances beyond its control. NFDA’s liability for any cancellation shall not extend to claims, including, but not limited to, travel expenses, cancellation fees, lost wages, inconvenience and other related costs.
NFDA MEET THE MENTORS
About the Program
Designed to foster leadership development, professional growth, and mentorship connections among early-career funeral service professionals, the program is intended for NFDA-members, licensed funeral directors/embalmers age 40 or under, or newly licensed within the last five years.
Participants will also take part in NFDA’s annual Advocacy Summit, gaining firsthand exposure to national leaders and the power of advocacy.
Submission Cycle
- December 9-January 12.
- Selected participants will be notified in late January.
Eligibility
- Open to NFDA members.
- Open to early-career funeral professionals, licensed in the United States or Canada.
- First- or second-career funeral directors first licensed up to 5 years.
- Funeral directors 40 years of age or younger.
Submission Requirements
- Supply required information (including FD license number).
- Upload a brief letter of good standing from your employer stating that you are eligible to attend.
- Upload a video answering how your participation in Meet the Mentors will help you make a meaningful impact in your workplace or community.
Terms & Guidelines
- Online submissions only.
- One entry per person.
- Past Meet the Mentors attendees are not eligible to attend.
- Registration is non-transferable.
- Up to 25 participants will be selected.
- The 2026 NFDA Meet the Mentors Conference is scheduled for April 14 - 17, 2026 in Washington, D.C (alongside NFDA Advocacy Summit).
- Participants are responsible for all travel costs.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a participant decides not to accept the program award.
- Applicant must be an NFDA member at the time of application and event.
- NFDA and the Funeral Service Foundation will only confirm receipt of completed applications and reserve the right to eliminate from consideration unsigned or incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- Serious protracted illness or injury that would delay participation in the program may be considered reason for holding an award in reserve.
- Time limits and other restrictions may be set by NFDA's Board of Directors. Other leaves of absence will be considered on an individual basis.
- All award decisions of NFDA are final.
- NFDA reserves the right to cancel the program due to circumstances beyond its control. NFDA’s liability for any cancellation shall not extend to claims, including, but not limited to, travel expenses, cancellation fees, lost wages, inconvenience and other related costs.