The 2025 Funeral Directors Convention and Expo, to be held from September 16 to 18 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, is less than a month away, and if you’re still debating whether to attend, the long list of benefits should help you decide.

From educational seminars to networking opportunities and eye-opening innovations on display at the popular Exhibit Hall, the Convention is not only well worth the price but can also improve your business and bottom line.

The good news is that there is still time to register. Online registration is available until September 2, 2025. And if you still are not sure if your schedule is clear enough to attend, on-site registration will be available at the Convention.

Here are seven reasons to attend:

1. Upgrade Your Business

Still doing your books and paperwork the same way you did 30 years ago? Let some of the vendors at the Convention show you how to save time and money with upgraded business functions. Exhibitors will be there to demonstrate how to digitize your accounting and scheduling, which can streamline some of the most time-intensive tasks for any funeral home.

Vendors can also demonstrate call centers so that you will never miss another call from a family in need. Remember: Saved time is saved money, and the less time you spend digging through your books and creating schedules, the more time you have to spend with families and growing your business.

2. Green Initiatives

Let’s face it. The funeral industry is changing, and some of the most significant new initiatives are green funerals and newer, more environmentally friendly methods of decedent care and dispositions. Seminar speakers and vendors will be on hand to discuss the growing trend of green burials and the potential for natural organic reduction in New Jersey.

Attend a seminar and then visit the Exhibit Hall to learn even more about these new initiatives that are future areas of growth for local funeral homes. You can be on the cutting edge of the industry by attending the Convention.

If you are interested in making your entire business more eco-friendly, you can even hear about stationery options that are better for the environment.

3. Vehicle Upgrades

Considering purchasing a new hearse or limousine for your business? Our vendors have you covered. Several different options for vehicle purchases can be explored at the Exhibit Hall. But even if you are not in a position to buy new, vendors can discuss refurbishing your current vehicles to lengthen their life span.

4. Help with Grief

One of the most difficult tasks for any funeral director is comforting family members. By attending the Convention, you will be able to access the latest in grief programming and grief books, all designed to improve the quality of services you offer to your families.

5. Better Wardrobes

It isn’t always easy to find the time to shop for new and appropriate clothing for use on the job. At the Convention, there is “one-stop shopping” for those with clothing needs. You can see the latest stylish options for men and women at affordable prices. Looking good while on the job adds a sense of professionalism and comfort for those you serve.

6. Printing Needs

The latest in prayer cards, ceremony stationery and funeral programs will all be on display at the Convention. By visiting these vendors, you will come away with new ideas to present to your families as they make their choices for life celebrations and memorializations.

7. Expand Your Team

Is it time for you to consider bringing on some new talent to help with your caseload? The Convention is the best place to find potential employees. During Network Bridge, for example, you will be able to talk with interns and funeral directors seeking employment. Eastwick College, Mercer County Community College and American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education will be sending interns to meet with funeral directors. Interns from all schools are invited.

This is your chance to find the best and the brightest who are entering the funeral profession, which can only help your business and the industry as a whole.

If you’re worried that you can’t make all three days, there are one-day passes available for the Convention. Just one day at the Convention could advance your business for a full year and beyond. You can take care of elective continuing education credits in the morning, get new ideas and place orders with vendors in the Exhibit Hall after lunch and find new hires for your funeral home at networking events in the afternoon.

Attending is the best way to move your business forward. Consider the Convention an investment in your future. So don’t wait: Register today! And we’ll see you in Atlantic City.

Find out more about our Convention offerings, including seminars, speaker bios and other events by visiting http://convention.njsfda.org.

The information contained in this column is a report of the actions taken by the board members who were present during the open public session portion of the meeting only. It is not a transcript of the official board minutes or an official record of attendance. It does not address board member attendance or actions taken during the executive session that typically follow the open session and are closed to the public. 

August 21, 2025

Members’ Present

Paul M. Desbiens, chair; Deborah Santangelo, vice-chair; Rabbi Jay M. Kornsgold; Jeffrey S. Kasko; Linda McGloin; and Anthony Menafro.

Four vacancies remain: three professionals and one public.

Executive Staff Present

Quin Archer, executive director; Dan Roman, deputy attorney general; Maria A. Rojas Letchford, deputy attorney general.

Public

Judith Welshons, New Jersey Cemetery Association; George R. Kelder Jr., CFSP, and Jonathan R. Bender, New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association; and 19 other members of the public.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

The Board approved the public session minutes of the June 27, 2025 meeting.

Executive Director's Report

Thirteen complaints were received in June/July for a total of 36 complaints for 2025.

Old Business

Evergreen Cemetery - Certificate of Authority Application
The chair recused himself from the discussion and Vice-Chair Debbie Santangelo took over the meeting. Evergreen Cemetery requested that the Board accept the return of the cemetery’s Certificate of Authority. Upon questioning and learning that the cemetery serves secular and multiple faith communities, the request was denied as the cemetery is required to maintain a Certificate of Authority to operate.

Ewing Cemetery Association (CA #020) - Guidance on plot transfers
At the April meeting, the Board reviewed a request for guidance from Ewing Cemetery Association regarding the merger of two religious organization bulk-sale grave owners. The Board voted to request more information regarding the actual merger of the two synagogues to determine if it truly is a merger, a dissolution or a liquidation of one organization. The Board was informed at the time that it was a merger; however, the merger never took place because one of the organizations owed funds to multiple creditors, which now triggered a dissolution and liquidation of the organization. The Cemetery Board has been informed that one scenario to pay creditors could be a public auction of the organization’s holdings, including the plots owned at Ewing. Attorneys for both parties were present. Currently the bulk plot contains only the remains of Jewish individuals. The concerns voiced to the Board were the possibility of a public auction awardee not being Jewish and/or the plots being sold at a profit. Although a public auction is a possibility being discussed, there are other avenues the temple is considering as part of the wind-down. Both parties will be informed in writing, every two months, that they must keep the Board up to date of all activities involving the approximate 1,800 plots.

Ellisdale Cemetery Association (CA #326) – Property Sale
The cemetery has sub-divided 1.7 acres of its land. The acreage has been appraised and sold for $170,000. Ellisdale Cemetery Association was seeking final approval from the Board and agreed to place $20,500 into its Maintenance and Preservation Fund. Approved.

Bulk Sales

• Restland Memorial Park t/d/b/a Eternal Sunset Memorial Park and Cemetery (CA #117) to Boshniak American Community Center (37 plots).
• Restland Memorial Park t/d/b/a Eternal Sunset Memorial Park and Cemetery (CA #117) to Dar UI Islah Muslim Society of Bergen County (400 plots).

The Board approved both bulk sales and the cemetery is required to deposit 15 percent of the sale into its Maintenance and Preservation Fund.

New Business

Cemetery Board meeting dates for 2026 were approved as circulated.

Colonial Memorial Park, Inc. (CA #016) - Crematory Permit Application
Louis Ciccalese requested that the Board approve the cemetery’s pending permit for the installation of a crematory within a mausoleum soon to be constructed. When questioned by the Board if all other required permits were complete, Mr. Ciccalese stated “yes.” A member of the public then informed the Board that the crematory has not been approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Louis Ciccalese acknowledged that to be true; however, he stated that the application was on file with the DEP, was a mere technicality and should be in his hands within the next 20 days. Mr. Ciccalese also stated that he was deeply concerned that a bill pending in Trenton could restrict any cemetery’s ability to construct a crematory in the future and that any unnecessary delay by the Board on his application could endanger the project.

The Board voted to enter Executive Session.

Following discussion, the Board re-entered the Public Session of the meeting and noted that a letter would be sent to Louis Ciccalese stating that once the DEP approval has been received by the Board and reviewed by the chair, the Board approvals or denial will be given in writing prior to the next meeting in October.

Mercer Cemetery at Trenton (CA #266) - Request for the Use of the Word “Cemetery”
Mercer Cemetery requested permission to create a fund-raising group using the cemeteries name, “Friends of Mercer Cemetery at Trenton.” The Board granted its permission to proceed.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cemetery (CA #228) – Request for Name Change
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cemetery asked that it be permitted to drop “Episcopal” from its name. After considerable discussion it was determined that many more questions needed to be asked and answered prior to the Board considering this request. The executive director will reach out to the cemetery to provide clarity for the discussion.

Bulk Sales

• Hollywood Memorial Park Company (CA #101) to Church of Pentecost USA (28 plots). Approved.
• Laurel Grove Cemetery Company (CA #030) to Islamic Congregation of North Jersey (51 plots). Approval denied.
• Laurel Grove Cemetery Company (CA #030) to Islamic Foundation of New Jersey (75 plots). Approved.
• Marlboro Memorial Inc (CA #395) to Dibra Community Center of New Jersey (1,302 plots). Approval denied.
• Restland Memorial Park (CA #117) to The Long Island Muslim Society, Inc (150 plots). Approved.
• Restland Memorial Park t/d/b/a Eternal Sunset Memorial Park and Cemetery (CA #117) to Albanian American Cultural Center (295 plots). The Board approved the bulk sale, contingent upon the cemetery providing a written explanation regarding the pricing structure, specifically addressing the consistency of pricing for individual versus bulk sales within the section.
• Restland Memorial Park t/d/b/a Eternal Sunset Memorial Park and Cemetery (CA #117) to National Islamic Assn Inc (57 plots). The Board approved the bulk sale, contingent upon the cemetery providing a written explanation regarding the pricing structure, specifically addressing the consistency of pricing for individual versus bulk sales within the section.

The bulk sales that were approved require a 15 percent deposit of the sale into its Maintenance and Preservation Fund of each cemetery.

For Your Information

• Franklin Memorial Park Association (CA #126). The Board was notified as required of pending civil litigation involving the cemetery.
• Colonial Memorial Park, Inc. (CA #016). Pre-sale Mausoleum extension has been granted for six months.
• Fox Chase Wetlands. Notice of no public access. A landowner currently engaged in the farmland preservation process has identified an abandoned cemetery located within the property. The landowner has requested the Board’s assistance in locating the cemetery’s owner and in pursuing the establishment of a public easement for access to the cemetery. The Board has no information to share at this time and suggested that the landowner continue investigating local maps.

Public Comment

The Board formally acknowledged the chat messages submitted by members of the public during the public session. The comments primarily addressed concerns related to Colonial Memorial Park Inc., including the approval of a crematory permit prior to the filing of an application with the DEP. Additional concerns were raised regarding the clearing of land in advance of crematory approval, which the public asserted constituted a violation of N.J.A.C. 13:44J-13.8. Board Member Anthony Menafro responded to the concerns, stating that land clearing is not addressed within the statute.

Further, members of the public expressed concern regarding the timing of the acknowledgment of public comments following the Board’s action on the matter. Board Member Jeff Kasko noted that the Board would take into consideration the practice of receiving and reviewing public comments prior to the rendering of decisions in the future.

Having no additional public business, the Board re-entered executive session.

The next scheduled Board meeting is Thursday, October 16, 2025.

By Eastwick College

In a world where compassion, professionalism and dignity are paramount, few careers demand as much heart and skill as funeral service. Eastwick College is rising to meet that challenge with a program that not only prepares students for the technical and emotional demands of the field, but does so with excellence, flexibility and a deeply human touch.

A Program Built on Excellence

Eastwick College marked its 40th anniversary with a celebration honoring decades of academic excellence and community spirit, while the funeral program–established in 2014–continues to have a reputation for being one of the most comprehensive in the region. The program offers 12-week terms that allow students to progress efficiently. The evening schedule is an advantage, making it possible for students to balance their education with personal and professional responsibilities.

Top-Notch Faculty, Real-World Wisdom

What truly sets this program apart is its faculty. These are not just educators–they're seasoned professionals who bring decades of experience in funeral homes and numerous industry leadership roles. Their dedication to mentorship and hands-on learning ensures that students graduate not only with knowledge but with confidence and compassion.

Students often speak of the professors as life-changing influences: instructors who challenge them intellectually, support them emotionally and inspire them to uphold the highest standards of care for the families they’ll serve.

Curriculum That Balances Science and Emotion

The curriculum is a masterful blend of anatomy, embalming techniques, restorative art, ethics, grief psychology and business management. But it’s not just about textbooks and tests–it’s about preparing students to be pillars of strength in moments of profound loss. Through simulations, case studies and community engagement, students learn how to navigate delicate conversations, honor diverse cultural traditions and provide comfort with grace.

A Campus That Feels Like Home

The college itself is a beacon of support. With modern facilities, a tight-knit student community and resources tailored to all learners, it’s a place where ambition meets empathy. Whether you're just starting out or pivoting into a new chapter, the environment fosters growth, resilience and purpose.

A Career That Matters

Graduates of Eastwick College’s Funeral Service Program leave not only with an associate in applied science degree, but with a vocation. They go on to serve in funeral homes, crematories, cemeteries and grief support organizations–bringing solace to families during their most vulnerable moments. If you’re looking for a career that combines science, service and soul–and a college that will support you every step of the way–the Funeral Service Program at Eastwick College is more than an academic path. It’s a journey toward making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, one family at a time.

Visit Eastwick College at Booth 609 in the Exhibit Hall at the 2025 Funeral Directors Convention and Expo, held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City from September 16 to 18. Register for the event here.

This article includes promotions from sources outside of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.

If you haven’t registered to attend the 2025 Funeral Directors Convention and Expo, to be held from September 16 through September 18, you only have a few days left to make your plans through the convenience of the internet.

Online registration for the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association’s flagship event, held this year at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, will end at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2. Those seeking to register online can do so here.

For those unable to commit to attending at this time, on-site registration will be available on Tuesday, September 16 and Wednesday, September 17 at the Convention Registration Desk, located across from the Hollywood East and West Ballrooms.

From education opportunities to networking events and other unique experiences, such as mini golf at the Exhibit Hall and curated events for mortuary school students, the 2025 Convention promises to be one that attendees will remember for months to come.

Tickets for the late-night Boardwalk Bayou at The Balcony Convention party, featuring New Orleans-inspired food, drinks and live jazz music from the Ocean Avenue Stompers, can be purchased separately at the time of registration.

More information on the Convention, including a list of scheduled speakers, featured events and details about the Hard Rock, can be found on convention.njsfda.org.

A cemetery in Great Britain is considering taking only cremated remains as it runs out of room for burials. A California memorial park faces complaints over what families say is poor maintenance. And alkaline hydrolysis is being to gain traction in Maryland. These stories and more are in the week in funeral news.

NEWS

Ashes-Only Burial Plan for Crowded Cemetery
By MSN
A crowded cemetery could soon be restricted to ashes-only interments, a council has proposed. Quob Cemetery in Hampshire, United Kingdom, has less than 20 years of burial space left, West End Parish Council said. Read more here.

First Jewish Burial in Cleveland, OH: Tale of Tragedy, Tension, Kindness
By Arnold Berger (Cleveland Jewish News)
This is the little-known story of a challenging day in the first year of our Cleveland Jewish community. It’s an old tale, enriched by new information. “Where can I find a Jew?” It was August 6 or August 7, 1840 in Cleveland, OH, then a town with about 6,000 residents. The Christian driver of a horse-drawn wagon asked the question. In his wagon lay the body of a Jewish peddler. Good people in the rural area where the body had been found, knowing there were Jews here, brought his body here so he could be buried in the custom of his people. Read more here.

Local Funeral Director Killed in Lawnmower Accident
By Benjamin Cox (WLDS)
A local funeral director was killed this afternoon in Greene County, IL, in a lawnmower accident. Greene County EMS and the White Hall Fire Department were dispatched to a rural residence after it was reported that a male subject had been mowing near a creek and the mower toppled and rolled on top of him into the creek. Read more here.

Complaints Mount Against California Cemetery over Unkempt Headstones and Grounds
By Jane Kim (KGTV)
A woman is pushing back after she said the Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary in Bonita, CA, is treating her mom's grave with improper care. This comes as the cemetery said they're trying to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who visits the grounds. Read more here.

TRENDS

In Maryland, There’s Now a Greener Way to Handle Dead Bodies
By Dana Munro (The Washington Post)
Inside a white brick building in West Baltimore, a long silver chamber full of water seesawed back and forth over a platform. Within it, a body dissolved. Skin, flesh and organs turned into amino acids and sugars with each tip of the chamber. In a matter of hours, all that remained were bones and the leftover watery solution. This process, which is called alkaline hydrolysis, but is known more colloquially as water cremation, has been gaining popularity across the country since it was first used in the funeral industry in 2011, according to the Cremation Association of North America. Read more here.

Funeral Service Providers Note Increased Interest in Cremation in Canada
By CBC
As they approach the end of their lives, many people are deciding they don't want a funeral or any kind of memorial service. But the absence of a gathering can make grieving more difficult for their families and friends. Watch video here.

Funeral professionals are facing declining consumer satisfaction with their experiences during the making of funeral and final disposition arrangements, according to a recent survey.

The average consumer rating for the profession declined between 2021 and 2025, The Foresight Companies’ Funeral and Cemetery Consumer Behavior Study found. In 2021, consumers gave the overall funeral profession a 64 percent satisfaction rating. But in 2025, that rating was down to 61 percent. When rating professionals, 77 percent were satisfied in 2021, but that rate declined to 72 percent in 2025.

“Although the decline may appear small, the goal for any industry is to get better over time, not worse,” the study said.

Some of the dissatisfaction stems from what consumers feel is a lack of information and transparency concerning their options when it comes to funeral arrangements. Only 37 percent of those surveyed said they were adequately educated about their options.

While consumers’ observations on education and transparency are consistent, funeral professionals, who were also polled, seem unaware of the issue.

For example, 88 percent of funeral professionals say they offered adequate information about preplanning arrangements, but only 31 percent of consumers said they were satisfied with what they were provided, a gap of 57 percentage points.

Other areas where a large gap between what funeral professionals say they provide and what consumers say they have received are in understanding and providing the latest technologies, information about urn options for cremated remains and information about keepsakes and memorial products. In each case the gap was greater than 40 percentage points.

“The gap between what consumers know and what we THINK they know is profound, the study found.

The study queried consumers on a variety of issues, with many indicating a diverse set of concerns, but when aggregated, the most pressing need is for improvement in customer service, the survey found. Nearly four in 10 consumers cited “the need for our profession to be better,” the survey discovered.

While most funeral professionals gave themselves high marks for their performance, the FCCBS noticed a subset of professionals that gave themselves lower grades. Those conducting the study returned to that subset with a more specific set of questions. That subset once again identified improving customer service as the most pressing need within the profession.

The survey also noted a decline in consumers’ perception of the trustworthiness of funeral professionals.

The survey points to several steps that funeral professionals can take to increase consumer satisfaction and trust.

Education. Don’t assume that consumers will know what you are taking about. Take pains to break through any professional jargon and interpret things in consumer-friendly terms. Also, don’t be afraid to repeat information.

“If you think a single conversation and one email will do the trick, you’re wrong,” the study concluded.

Gather feedback. Gauging consumer satisfaction is fiscally prudent. Finding out where you are succeeding with the families you serve and where you are falling short provides benchmarks. Addressing concerns can lead to an increase in consumer loyalty.

“The annual cost of a simple customer feedback program can be paid for with a single additional preneed sale,” the survey said.

Add pricing online. While some funeral homes already do this, the study indicates that putting the General Price List online is now a consumer preference. Beyond adding a GPL, however, funeral homes should make their online pricing “consumable and understandable,” the survey said.

“While many locations are concerned that putting easy-to-understand pricing online will lead to a race to the bottom, a vast majority of customers simply want the confidence that they’re not being taken advantage of,” the survey concludes.

Foresight is a funeral home and cemetery consultant service. The survey was conducted by Fortitude, a research and marketing firm.