LINCOLNSHIRE, IL — March 27, 2025 — The Selected Educational Trust is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from Global Atlantic Financial Group to enhance and expand its Workforce Development offerings. With staffing recruitment, training, and retention being among the most pressing challenges for independent funeral home owners, this funding will provide critical support and resources to strengthen the profession.
Through this grant, Global Atlantic Financial Group’s financial support will allow the Trust to grow its four key Workforce Development initiatives: the Employment Center, Career Center, Mortuary Science Student Center, and Job Fairs. These programs serve as essential resources for independent funeral homes seeking to attract, train, and retain top-tier talent within the profession. “We are thrilled to receive this generous grant from Global Atlantic Financial Group to elevate our Workforce Development programs,” said Stefanie Favia, Executive Director of the Selected Educational Trust. “This partnership enables us to provide independent funeral home owners with the solutions they need to address the ongoing workforce challenges. By expanding our initiatives, we continue our mission of supporting and advancing the independent funeral service profession through education and career development.”
The Trust’s Workforce Development programs provide a comprehensive approach to staffing challenges. The Employment Center allows Selected members to post job openings with broad visibility, including direct outreach to every accredited Mortuary Science School in the country. The Career Center connects funeral professionals with potential employers while maintaining their privacy. The Mortuary Science Student Center serves as a dedicated database of aspiring funeral service professionals, helping member firms discover emerging talent. Finally, the Job Fairs facilitate direct connections between funeral home owners and Mortuary Science students, with proven success in employment placements.
As part of this initiative, the Trust will leverage its pre-existing relationships with mortuary science schools to directly reach mortuary science students and early-career professionals seeking job opportunities. New resources will be created and curated specifically for this demographic to support their professional growth.
“At Global Atlantic Financial Group, we recognize the crucial role that funeral professionals play in their communities,” said Tim Bridgers, Managing Director of Preneed at Global Atlantic Financial Group. “By providing this grant to the Trust’s Workforce Development programs, we are investing in the future of the funeral service profession, ensuring that dedicated professionals continue to provide compassionate and high-quality care to families when they need it most.”
This grant underscores the commitment of both organizations to strengthen the independent funeral service profession through meaningful career opportunities and education. For more information about the Selected Educational Trust and its Workforce Development initiatives, visit www.selectedtrust.org or contact Stefanie Favia at stefanie@selectedtrust.org.
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About the Selected Educational Trust
The mission of the Selected Educational Trust (www.selectedtrust.org) is to provide the best educational opportunities for the advancement and support of all who work within the independent funeral service profession. To fulfill this mission, the Trust provides programs which offer scholarships to mortuary science students and funeral service professionals, online education through its Institute for Exceptional Funeral Service powered by National Guardian Life Insurance Company (www.funeral-institute.org) and networking and employment opportunities through its Workforce Development Centers, now powered by Global Atlantic Financial Group.
About Global Atlantic
Global Atlantic Financial Group is a leading insurance company meeting the retirement and life insurance needs of individuals and institutions. With a strong financial foundation and risk and investment management expertise, the company delivers tailored solutions to create more secure financial futures. The company’s performance has been driven by its culture and core values focused on integrity, teamwork, and the importance of building long-term client relationships. Global Atlantic is a wholly owned subsidiary of KKR, a leading global investment firm. Through its relationship, the company leverages KKR’s investment capabilities, scale and access to capital markets to enhance the value it offers clients. KKR’s parent company is KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR).
Global Atlantic Financial Group (Global Atlantic) is the marketing name for The Global Atlantic Financial Group LLC and its subsidiaries, including Forethought Life Insurance Company and Accordia Life and Annuity Company. Each subsidiary is responsible for its own financial and contractual obligations. These subsidiaries are not authorized to do business in New York.
