Funeral Service Foundation Invests $82,500 in Future Funeral Service Professionals

Spring 2026 Academic Scholarships Awarded to 27 Students Across North America

Brookfield, Wisconsin — Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the Funeral Service Foundation awarded 27 academic scholarships this spring totaling $82,500 to students across North America – including two scholarships awarded to military veterans through the Journey to Serve initiative. Since awarding its first academic scholarship in 2002, the Foundation has expanded its program to include multiple named scholarships that honor and memorialize influential funeral service professionals and organizations.

The Foundation’s academic scholarship program supports students enrolled in accredited funeral service programs across the United States and Canada. This spring’s class reflects the breadth of people drawn to this profession: career changers, legacy families, parents returning to school and veterans transitioning to civilian service.

“These scholarships represent more than financial support,” said Jeff Smith, chair of the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees. “They are a statement of belief in the next generation of funeral service professionals. Every one of these students has made a meaningful commitment to serving families at their most difficult moments, and we are honored to invest in their futures.”

The Foundation’s academic scholarship program runs in two annual cycles — spring and fall. The next academic scholarship application window opens September 15 and closes November 1. The Foundation also provides scholarships for funeral service professionals throughout their careers. Applications for NFDA International Convention & Expo scholarships open June 2 and close July 23. 

Academic Scholarship Spring Class of 2026:

Foundation ’45 Scholarship | $5,000

• Holly Burlin, Port Deposit, Maryland (Community College of Baltimore County-Catonsville – Mortuary Science Program)
• Alex Chau, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service)
• James Nixon, Tifton, Georgia (Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service)
• Natasha Rivard-Morton, North Vancouver, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service)
• Aaron Ulrich, Baltic, Ohio (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science)
  

APFSP/Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• Zoe Bates, Clifton, Illinois (Wayne State University – Mortuary Science Program)

John Carmon Scholarship | $2,500

• Courtney Burke, Hanover, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science)

CANA/Jack Springer Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• Christina Andreola, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service)
  

Foundation ’45 Scholarship | $2,500

• Leanna Hill, Tsawwassen, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service)

Funeral Directors Life Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• Cynthia Lorie Newman, Pembroke, Georgia (Ogeechee Technical College)

Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• Adeline Thornton, Painesville, Ohio (Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science)

Bob Horn Scholarship | $2,500

• Mia McAninch, Toledo, Ohio (Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science)

Mark Hornibrook Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

Funded by a generous grant from NGL Insurance Company

• Jori Melius, St. Louis Park, Minnesota (University of Minnesota – Program of Mortuary Science)
• Sara Racher, Picture Butte, Alberta (Canadian College of Funeral Service)

Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• MarTeze Hammonds, Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee (John A. Gupton College – Funeral Service Programs)

Steve Lang Scholarship (Homesteaders) | $2,500
Funded by a generous grant from Homesteaders Life Company

• Mykal Thomas, Atlanta, Georgia (Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service)

Steve Mack Scholarship (Homesteaders) | $2,500

• Sommer Neugebauer, New York, New York (American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education)

Memorial Classic Scholarship | $2,500

• Tyler Aspinwall, Screven, Georgia (Ogeechee Technical College)
• Alison Kadlec, Olivia, Minnesota (University of Minnesota – Program of Mortuary Science)
• Amy McCharles, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Mount Royal University)

Harry Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

Funded by a generous grant from NGL Insurance Company

• Aizlyn Green, Bucyrus, Ohio (Wayne State University – Mortuary Science Program)
• Kacy Tripido, Pine Bush New York (State University of New York at Canton-Funeral Services Administration Program)

Louis & Josephine Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• Tamara White, Walker, Missouri (Kansas City Kansas Community College-Mortuary Science Department)

Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• Kyle Gooch, Havre, Montana (Cape Cod Community College – Funeral Service Program)

Todd Van Beck Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• Cara Delgado, Chino Hills, California (Cypress College – Mortuary Science Department)

Academic Scholarship for Veterans: 

The Funeral Service Foundation, in partnership with the ICCFA Educational Foundation, offers academic scholarships to United States and Canadian military veterans, as part of the Journey to Serve initiative. Offered twice a year, scholarships range from $2,500-$5,000 and are available to military veterans who are 18 years of age or older at the time of application and who are currently enrolled (or accepted into) in an ABFSE-accredited funeral service program. Learn more about the Journey to Serve at www.JourneyToServe.com. 

Journey to Serve Scholarship | $5,000

• Ezell Harris, Rochester, New York (American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education)

Hunter M. Harbeson Memorial Scholarship | $2,500

• Kenneth Johnson, Chicago, Illinois (Worsham College of Mortuary Science)

In Their Words:
In their own words, scholarship recipients express what this support means to them as they prepare to serve their communities through funeral service.

“My passion has always been in providing families — both biological and chosen — with an opportunity to still gather, remember the person who has died and create a meaningful memorial service, no matter the method of disposition. I am so relieved and grateful to have this financial support as I continue building toward that vision.”

• Christina Andreola, CANA/Jack Springer Scholar

“I changed my path to funeral service because I want to be there for families during difficult times. This support not only helps me financially but also gives me confidence to keep going. I will do my best to grow and serve others well into the future.”

• Alex Chau, Foundation ‘45 Scholar

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s simply the hard truth of going back to school as an older adult… This scholarship is so much more than a ‘help’ or a ‘stepping stone’ toward completing the program. It is a huge sigh of financial relief for me as an older student as I pursue this associate degree in Funeral Directing.”

• Cynthia Lorie Newman, Funeral Directors Life Memorial Scholar

“Funeral service has been part of my life for as long as I can remember… This profession helped shape who I am long before I formally chose it as a career path — and your support is helping preserve a legacy of service that began long before me and will continue long after me.”

• James Nixon, Foundation ’45 Scholar

“Changing careers in today’s financial climate is stressful, and constantly planning where the next payment will come from takes real energy away from learning… After fifteen years in social services, stepping into this new chapter takes courage, and your support gives me the room to step forward with steadier footing.”

• Natasha Rivard-Morton, Foundation ‘45 Classic Scholar

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP OPENING SOON:

• NFDA International Convention & Expo
  Applications Open June 2 – July 23

LINKS

• Academic Scholarship Information Page + Photos of Scholars: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/scholarship-opportunities/academic-scholarships/ 

ABOUT THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOUNDATION – FuneralServiceFoundation.org
Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.