Applications open March 1 for 15 scholarships supporting access to national education, networking, and innovation across funeral service.
Brookfield, Wisconsin — The Funeral Service Foundation is pleased to open applications for two key professional development scholarship opportunities beginning today: the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association (NFDMA) Annual Convention & Exposition and the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) Cremation Innovation Convention. These scholarships help funeral service professionals and students access high‑quality education, national networking and innovative learning experiences at two of the profession’s most influential gatherings.
These opportunities are made possible through the generosity of donors whose contributions strengthen every part of the Foundation’s mission, including expanding access to education, leadership development and professional training across funeral service. Their partnership ensures that professionals nationwide have the tools, skills, and connections needed to serve grieving families with compassion and excellence.
“Professional gatherings like the NFDMA Annual Convention & Exposition and the CANA Cremation Innovation Convention bring our profession together in powerful ways,” said Jeff Smith, chair of the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees. “These scholarships ensure that more students and professionals can access the kind of shared learning, networking and innovation that move funeral service forward.”
Scholarships Now Open
2026 NFDMA Annual Convention & Exposition Scholarships
The Funeral Service Foundation is proud to partner with NFDMA to offer scholarships for licensed funeral directors, embalmers, morticians, and students of funeral service to attend the association’s Annual Convention & Exposition. The event brings together funeral service professionals from across the world for networking, education and showcasing services and products related to the funeral service industry.
- Event: August 1–6, Tampa, Florida
- 10 scholarships available
- Applications Open: March 1 – April 30 at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarship-Opportunities/NFDMA-Convention
CANA’s 108th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention Scholarships
In partnership with CANA, the Foundation offers scholarships for licensed funeral directors, embalmers, morticians, crematory operators, cemeterians and students of funeral service to attend the group’s Annual Convention and tradeshow. This convention unites leaders across death care together to exchange experience and innovative thinking in cremation.
- Event: August 12–14, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- 5 scholarships available
- Applications Open: March 1 – April 30 at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarship-Opportunities/Cremation-Scholarships
Other Scholarships Currently Open
Several additional Funeral Service Foundation scholarship opportunities are open as part of the 2026 scholarship season. Full details and eligibility information can be found at:
FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarship-Opportunities
- Academic Scholarships
Applications Open February 15 – April 1
- Embalming & Restorative Art Seminar
Applications Open February 3 – March 5
- Certified Celebrant Training
Applications Open February 3 – April 16
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.
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