United We Stand: Funeral Service Comes Together for NFDA?s 2011 Advocacy Summit

Representatives from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), Cremation Association of North America (CANA), National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association (NFD&MA), KAVOD ? Independent Jewish Funeral Chapels and Selected Independent Funeral Homes (SIFH) will come together with one voice in the nation?s capital during the 2011 NFDA Advocacy Summit to advance important federal issues impacting funeral homes, small business and those they serve. The 2011 Advocacy Summit will take place March 9-11 at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Members from these five associations will discuss the following issues with their congressional representatives: repealing Section 9006 of the new healthcare law which requires every business, charity and local and state government entity to issue 1099 forms to any individual or corporation that provides $600 or more in services or merchandise annually; codification of the Supplemental Security Income exclusion for irrevocable funeral and burial trusts; and reintroducing the ?Bereaved Consumers Bill of Rights Act,? which Congress did not have time to act on before its previous session ended.

In addition to issues briefings and lobbying opportunities with members of the U.S. House and Senate, NFDA will be inviting several guest speakers. Potential presenters include:

Newly-elected members of the House of Representatives

Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.): An NFDA member and CEO of Southerland Family Funeral Home in Panama City, Fla.

Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.): While not a funeral director, Hultgren is very familiar with funeral service, as his family owns and operates NFDA-member firm Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton, Ill.

Representative from the Transportation of Security Administration (TSA) who will provide an update on its pilot program to test screening methods for human remains.

Attendees will also learn the best approaches for interacting with members of Congress to ensure productive meetings.

The registration fee for the 2011 Advocacy Summit is $95 for member of NFDA, CANA, NFD&MA, KAVOD and SIFH; the registration fee for nonmembers is $160. (Note: Members of NFDA or CANA will receive the member rate automatically when they register. Members of NFD&MA, KAVOD or SIFH who are not also members of NFDA or CANA can receive the member rate by submitting the registration form by fax or mail; calling NFDA; or contacting their association for a discount code to register on NFDA?s website.) A spouse/guest registration is available for $45. For more event information or to register, visit www.nfda.org/advocacysummit or call 800-228-6332.

Attendees who plan to stay at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel must make their reservations by February 21 to lock in the reduced NFDA rate of $289 per night, plus tax. Hotel reservations can be made by visiting www.nfda.org/advocacysummit and clicking on the ?Hotel/Travel? link or by calling 800-468-3571 and mentioning the group code ?3230012? or ?NFDA Advocacy Summit.?