Shaun Myers, FSF Chair, (right) and FSF Immediate Past Chair Alan Creedy (left) accept a $100,000 memorial donation in honor of their deceased daughter, Shipley, from Ralph and Chari Buckner (center) of Ralph Buckner Foundation and Ralph Buckner Funeral Homes, who presented the gift at the NFDA Opening Ceremony
Brookfield, Wis. — The Funeral Service Foundation (FSF) is honored to announce a major gift from Ralph and Chari Buckner, of the Ralph Buckner Foundation and Ralph Buckner Funeral Homes of Cleveland, Tennessee. The gift memorializes their daughter, Shipley Buckner, who died recently at the age of 18 in a car accident. Shipley’s dream was to follow in her father’s footsteps by one day becoming a funeral director. As a current Trustee of the foundation, Ralph recognizes that the $100,000 gift will support the Foundation’s work to advance the funeral profession.
“Ralph Buckner’s continued major support of the Foundation demonstrates his commitment to helping move the funeral service profession forward while honoring Shipley’s memory,” FSF Chair Shaun Myers said. “Thanks to his ongoing generosity and leadership, we will be able to continue to support groundbreaking research and other grant opportunities that benefit funeral service.”
The gift was presented to the foundation by Ralph and Chari Buckner, at the Opening Ceremony, held during the 2011 NFDA/CANA International Convention & Expo in Chicago, Illinois. Ralph and Chari were recognized again at the FSF Donor Reception held at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago.
“We gave to the Foundation in Shipley’s honor because we believe so strongly in what funeral service does,” Buckner said. “I currently serve on the board of the Foundation and as a part of that commitment, Shipley’s memorial reaffirms my support of its work to support research, grants, and scholarships making our profession stronger.”
About the Funeral Service Foundation
The Funeral Service Foundation, through grants, scholarships and research initiatives, supports career and professional development in funeral service, the advancement of funeral service and allied professions, public awareness and education, and the improvement of children’s lives. For more information, visit http://www.funeralservicefoundation.org.
