NFDA Cremation Retreat: Seize the Opportunity

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) will host its second annual Cremation Retreat March 15-16, 2017, at the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta, Ga. The one-of-a-kind NFDA Cremation Retreat offers funeral professionals from small- to mid-sized firms an opportunity to explore and reflect on cremation from a variety of perspectives, discern what cremation means to the future of their business, and explore proven strategies to increase the value – and profit – of their businesses.

Business retreats, like NFDA’s event, have become increasingly popular because they enable professionals to get away from the office and into a stress-free environment where they can immerse themselves in wholistic discussions on critical business issues.

NFDA has gathered an impressive line-up of cremation experts to lead the retreat:

• Robert Biggins, CFSP, CPC, owner of Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home in Rockland, Mass.
• T. Scott Gilligan, legal counsel for NFDA
• Mark Musgrove, CFSP, co-owner of Musgrove Mortuaries & Cemeteries in Eugene, Ore.
• Mike Nicodemus, CCO, vice president of cremation services for NFDA
• Lacy Robinson, CFSP, NFDA director of member development
• Kurt Soffe, CFSP, CCO, co-owner of Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Homes and Cremation Center in South Jordan, Utah

These experts will share insights on a variety of topics:

• Seizing the Cremation Opportunity
• Competing with Low Cost Providers and Cremation Societies
• Business Strategies and Financial Tools for Making Cremation Profitable
• Cremation Ethics and Liability Issues
• Your Guide to Cremation Arranging
• Training Staff to Serve Families Who Choose Cremation
• Marketing the Value of the Funeral in a High Cremation Market

The Cremation Retreat will also feature collaborative roundtable discussions with peers and a panel discussion during which attendees can ask the knowledgeable presenters their most pressing questions. Attendees will be able to kick back and relax – and network with fellow funeral professionals – during the Welcome Reception the evening of March 14 and during a fun Bowling and Billiards event following dinner on March 15.

If they wish, attendees can cap off their Cremation Retreat experience by earning their cremation certification. NFDA will host its Cremation Certification Program at the Emory Conference Center on March 17. Created by funeral directors, for funeral directors, this is a must-have certification for anyone who offers cremation to the families they serve – even if they do not own a crematory. For more information about this program, visit www.nfda.org/cremationcertification.

NFDA members who register for both the Cremation Retreat and the CCO seminar can save $100 on the fee for the certification seminar. Registrations must be received by March 7, 2017.

NFDA Cremation Retreat Registration Fees Includes expert presentations, handouts, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), refreshments and a special Bowling & Billiards evening.
	On or before February 20, 2017	After February 20, 2017
NFDA Member	$545	$645
Nonmember	$720	$820
Nonmember Non-funeral Director	$545	$645
Second Registrant from Same Organization	$495	$595
NFDA Cremation Certification Seminar (optional)
NFDA Member Save $100 when you also register for the Cremation Retreat (regular price: $495)	$395
Nonmember Funeral Director	$655
Non-funeral Director	$495
Student Member (no CE)	$160

There are few better places for a retreat than the serene setting of the Emory Conference Center Hotel. Nestled within 26 acres of forest preserve, this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed facility offers the tranquility of a secluded location with the convenience of close proximity to the city. NFDA has secured a limited number of rooms for the special rate of just $175 plus tax for Cremation Retreat attendees. The deadline to book a room is February 20, 2017.

Complete details about the new NFDA Cremation Retreat, including the event schedule, speaker biographies, and information about how to register and make hotel reservations, is available on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/cremationretreat.

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving 19,700 individual members who represent more than 10,000 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.