The 2026 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) International Convention & Expo gathered 5,684 funeral service professionals—including 3,585 participants and 2,099 exhibitor representatives—in Charlotte, North Carolina, from October 25–28. The event drew 415 international attendees from 45 countries and featured 387 exhibiting companies across 85,900 square feet of exhibit space.
International Collaboration and Global Perspectives
This year’s convention co-hosted the annual meeting of FIAT-IFTA (International Federation of Thanatologists Associations). The co-located event provided opportunities for domestic and international attendees to exchange operational insights and compare cultural traditions in end-of-life care. FIAT-IFTA hosted its own business meetings, an International Gala, and a leadership transition during the event.
Educational Programming and Keynote Presentations
Sponsored by CareCredit, the educational lineup covered workforce culture, regulatory changes, grief support, business strategy, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Technical sessions focused on embalming, restorative art, cremation, and decedent care.
Two pre-convention seminars provided focused training: The Art & Weight of the Arrangement Conference examined family communication dynamics, while Bridging the Gap brought funeral professionals, hospice caregivers, and end-of-life doulas together to coordinate family care.
Three general session keynotes addressed business adaptation and professional development:
- Disruption strategist Shawn Kanungo, sponsored by NGL, presented “Strategy in a World of Disruption,” offering framework models for adapting to industry changes.
- CEO Dr. Magie Cook, sponsored by ClearPoint Trust, presented “The Power of Gathering with Purpose,” focusing on organizational leadership and trust.
- Author John Kenney, sponsored by Carriage, delivered the closing presentation, “28,000 Days: What Death Teaches Us About Truly Living,” discussing perspective and personal priorities.
Expo Hall Highlights and Innovation Awards
The exposition hall housed suppliers demonstrating administrative software, memorial products, service vehicles,equipment, and personalized merchandise.
Chptr won the 2026 NFDA Innovation Award, sponsored by ASD – Answering Service for Directors, for its Chptr Local Media Distribution Network. The system allows funeral homes to publish death notices, obituaries, service details, and video content to local television, radio, digital news, and streaming channels in a single step. WellTold Films earned second place, while The Impression Vault – The Almorial and Tukios – Heardstone tied for third.
The hall also hosted the Funeral Face-off trivia competition, sponsored by Precoa. After two virtual preliminary rounds,four teams competed onsite: Aneurysm Hookers (Mandy Stafford, Return Home; Katey Houston, Parting Stone; Cassandra Foifua, Alcor Life Extension Foundation), NBElievables! (Andrew Joseph and Chris Howard, International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards; Amy Hart, Murdoch Funeral Home), Team NJSFDA (Daniel Bitecola III, Kyle Ledford, Sam Kyle, New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association), and In a Hearse Gotta Be Worse (Jack Attfield, New Comer Cremations & Funerals; Torena Bar, Maddox Funeral Home; Avery Henson, Relyea Funeral Chapel). Team “In a Hearse Gotta Be Worse” won the final match against “Aneurysm Hookers” to take the Precoa Cup.
Peer Networking and Community Initiatives
NFDA launched the Connection Hub to facilitate structured, peer-led conversations on ownership challenges, work-life balance, youth grief support, and staff mentorship. The space also included a Pursuit of Excellence Idea Exchange for sharing local marketing and community outreach strategies.
Social and community events throughout the week included:
- Welcome Party: Sponsored by Batesville and Messenger, the opening social took place at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
- Service of Remembrance: Sponsored by The Messenger Co. and Tukios, this service honored deceased industry members and marked the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. An offering collected during the service was donated to the Charlotte Regional Fire Foundation.
- Community Impact Zone: In partnership with the Funeral Service Foundation, attendees assembled support kits for Veterans Bridge Home and made fleece blankets for local shelters, including the Humane Society of Charlotte and Halfway There Rescue.
- All-Star Recognition Ceremony: The ceremony recognized designees for the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, Green Funeral Practice Certificate, Cremation Certification, Certified Preplanning Consultant status,Funeral Service Foundation scholarships, National Emerging Leaders Program, Meet the Mentors Program,Inspiration Award, International Professional Achievement Certificate, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.
Event photography is available for download at nfda.org/charlottepics.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The 146th NFDA International Convention & Expo will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from September 26–29,2027. Updates will be published at nfda.org/convention
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Convention Sponsors
NFDA thanks its corporate sponsors for supporting the 2026 convention:
- Medallion Sponsor: NGL
- Black Diamond Sponsor: Homesteaders Life Company
- Platinum Sponsors: Carriage, Federated Insurance, Tribute Technology
- Gold Sponsors: Batesville, Care Credit, ClearPoint Trust, Inman Shipping/Travel Plan by Inman, Love Urns, The Messenger Company, Physicians Mutual, Wellabe
- Silver Sponsors: ASD – Answering Service for Directors, C&J Financial, Foundation Partners, Global Payments,Johnson Consulting Group, Precoa, Ring Ring Marketing, TruStage, Tukios, Ultimate Canine
- Bronze Sponsors: BAMS, Castaway At Sea, Doric, Flute, Fortitude Research Marketing, Funeral Service Credit Union, Global Atlantic, Huntington Bank, Madelyn Co., Matthews Environmental Solutions, Nomis Publications Inc., Passare, PlotBox, Sympathy Brands, The Independent Funeral Group, Trigard, USA Today Network
About NFDA
NFDA represents 20,000 individual members across nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 international countries. Headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, with an office in Washington, D.C., NFDA provides business tools, advocacy, and professional education for end-of-life care providers. Learn more at nfda.org.
