Funeral service professionals play a critical role during emergency responses, yet many funeral homes are omitted from local emergency planning until after a disaster occurs. To address this issue, the Funeral Service Foundation has published A Seat at the Table: Why Funeral Service Professionals Belong in Every Community’s Crisis Response Plan, a 12-page guide designed to integrate funeral directors into local emergency management efforts.
Allan Cole, Past Chair of the Funeral Service Foundation and Chair of the Crisis Response Task Force, noted that funeral service professionals carry significant responsibilities during community emergencies by caring for the deceased and supporting grieving families. Cole stated that this experience needs to be included during pre-crisis planning rather than after an incident occurs, adding that the new booklet and upcoming panel aim to help professionals advocate for their inclusion in local emergency planning.
The guide outlines the operational strengths funeral service professionals offer during emergencies, including coordinating with coroners, hospitals, and public safety agencies, maintaining clear communication across organizations, and applying cultural competence during crisis situations.
Upcoming NFDA Panel Session
In conjunction with the publication, the Foundation will host a panel discussion at the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina. Titled Conversation Café: A Seat at the Table in Your Community’s Crisis Response, the session will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center. The event is open to Full Convention passholders and offers 1.5 CE hours approved by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APSFP) and select state licensing boards.
Moderated by Allan Cole of MacKinnon and Bowes, the panel features industry professionals with experience in mass fatality response: Bryant Hightower (Hightower Family Funeral Homes), Jimmy Lucas (Lucas Funeral Homes), Carmalita March-Harris (March Funeral Homes), Tim Schramm (Howe-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services), and Michael Soper (Legacy Funeral Group).
Panelists will share operational strategies and practical lessons for building working relationships with local agencies before disasters happen. Attendees will receive actionable guidance on strengthening emergency readiness and establishing an active role in municipal crisis management.
Availability and Resources
Both the publication and convention panel were developed by the Foundation’s Crisis Response Task Force and funded through the Foundation’s Crisis Response Fund.
The booklet can be downloaded digitally or ordered in print for free, with shipping fees applied, at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Resources-For-Professionals/A-Seat-At-The-Table.
High-resolution artwork for the publication cover is available at https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/A-Seat-at-the-Table-Cover.png.
About the Funeral Service Foundation
Established in 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation serves as the philanthropic organization for the funeral profession and has operated as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. The Foundation supports individuals and programs that strengthen funeral service operations and community support. Additional information is available at FuneralServiceFoundation.org.
