Membership in the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association offers funeral professionals considerably more than a connection to their statewide professional organization.

From regulatory guidance and continuing education to insurance programs, business resources and legislative advocacy, the association provides services designed to help funeral homes operate effectively and stay informed.

During this time when funeral directors begin renewing their memberships, it's worth taking a closer look at what NJSFDA membership brings to your business.

Much of the association's value comes from keeping members informed about developments that affect their businesses and professional responsibilities. Through its online news resource, The FORUM, and its weekly Bulletin newsletter, the NJSFDA regularly communicates changes in state regulations, industry practices and other matters of importance to funeral service.

For example, the association has provided extensive coverage of changes in licensing for funeral directors, giving guidance on the impact of the new regulations on current and future licensees. The NJSFDA has also explained the new natural organic reduction law and provided articles and seminars to educate members.

The association also remains on top of technological developments in the industry, introducing a mobile app that provides vital information to funeral directors at their fingertips to help navigate regulatory requirements and the everyday demands of running a funeral home.

The NJSFDA offers a broad range of programs, services and resources that can provide tangible value to participating funeral professionals.

NJSFDA App

The NJSFDA app provides mobile access to vital tools and information that funeral directors need to do business. Mobile access to The FORUM puts all the latest news on your cell phone or tablet as you’re on the go. A membership directory includes contact information and the ability to connect with other funeral directors throughout the state.

Important alerts can also be sent to your phone, keeping you abreast of any developments that can affect your business. Governance resources and listings of the NJSFDA’s board and committee members can also be found on the app.

Continuing Education at Reduced Rates

The New Jersey Funeral Service Education Corporation conducts continuing education seminars throughout the year at locations across the state. NJSFDA members receive reduced registration rates compared with nonmembers.

Programs cover subjects including OSHA requirements, ethics, preneed arrangements and applicable laws and regulations. With funeral director licenses scheduled for renewal in 2027, the New Jersey Funeral Service Education Corporation now offers quality continuing education webinars on mandatory topics, delivered on demand. These webinars can be accessed at any time and from any device, providing the most convenient way to complete required coursework to maintain their professional credentials.

New Jersey Prepaid Funeral Trust Fund

The New Jersey Prepaid Funeral Trust Fund, also known as Funeral Planning CHOICES, provides funeral homes with a secure pooled trust for handling funds associated with both revocable and irrevocable preneed arrangements.

Participation allows funeral directors to deposit funds on behalf of individuals making advance funeral arrangements while helping ensure compliance with applicable preneed requirements. Deposited funds earn competitive interest, and the money is readily accessible when arrangements become at-need.

Recent enhancements to the Funeral Planning CHOICES dashboard allow participating funeral homes to complete many traditionally paper-based trust administration functions electronically. Funeral directors can now establish trust accounts online while meeting with consumers. 

In addition to online account creation, the enhanced platform supports a variety of electronic account maintenance functions, including address changes, irrevocable conversions, refund requests and account transfers. Consumers may also make additional deposits electronically, reducing administrative work for the funeral home. 

These digital tools help reduce data entry errors, improve processing efficiency and provide a modern, professional experience for both funeral directors and the families they serve.  

Funeral Planning CHOICES continues to offer convenient online account access, electronic claims submission and monthly electronic preneed ledgers. 

Group Health Benefits

Eligible NJSFDA members have access to comprehensive, competitively priced and self-funded group health coverage through Association Member Trust, a nonprofit, multi-association benefits organization.

Participants benefit from network services and modern claims administration provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

Property, Casualty and Other Insurance

Through Thanexus Financial Services LLC, members can obtain access to a variety of insurance products, including property and casualty, commercial auto, comprehensive umbrella policies as well as employment practices liability, cyber, flood, wind/hail and personal lines coverage. property and casualty coverage, and commercial and personal automobile insurance.

The agency provides comprehensive insurance coverage for funeral service professionals, with programs specifically designed to protect and support your business.The agency offers optional coverage designed to address the needs of funeral service businesses. Its salaried, noncommissioned professionals work with highly rated insurance carriers to provide underwriting options.

The FORUM and Bulletin

Staying current with developments in funeral service is easier with access to the NJSFDA's online news and information resource, The FORUM.

The digital publication provides timely reporting, industry updates and feature articles covering issues relevant to funeral professionals. Members can also keep up with the latest coverage through The Bulletin, the Association's weekly email newsletter, which includes links to recently published FORUM articles and is distributed each Tuesday.

Manager of the Day Assistance

Questions and unexpected challenges are part of operating a funeral home. The NJSFDA's Manager of the Day Program gives members access to guidance on funeral service practices and industry-related concerns.

The service is available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members can reach the Manager of the Day by calling 800.734.3712 or emailing njsfda@njsfda.org.

Directors Choice Credit Union

NJSFDA membership also provides eligibility to join Directors Choice Credit Union, a nonprofit financial cooperative serving the business and personal banking needs of funeral directors, funeral home owners, employees and their families.

Funeral Matters

Funeral Matters provides funeral homes with tools to strengthen their communication with consumers and adapt their businesses to changing expectations.

The program helps staff develop their knowledge and communication skills while allowing prospective customers to research and price funeral arrangements online. Pricing can be based on average costs or a funeral home's own General Price List.

Funeral Matters also includes an automated reporting system that gives funeral home management access to performance measurements and comparisons with other participating firms. Eligible member funeral homes can subscribe to the service for a fee.

Legislative Advocacy Through NJFD-PAC

The association's political action committee, NJFD-PAC, represents the interests of funeral service professionals before state legislators and other government officials.

Through its advocacy efforts, the PAC works to ensure the profession has a voice in legislative and regulatory matters affecting funeral homes. Members also have opportunities to meet with lawmakers and other officials, learn about pending legislation and hear directly about issues under consideration in Trenton.

Members-Only Resources Online

The NJSFDA website provides members with access to information they need to manage their professional responsibilities. Resources include OSHA guidance, state laws and regulations governing mortuary science, and other industry-related materials.

Rather than spending time searching through multiple government websites and other sources, members can find important information in one convenient location.

Forms and Business Resources

The association's online resource center includes downloadable forms and tools intended to simplify some of the administrative work involved in operating a funeral home.

Available materials include insurance assignment forms, right-to-control and consent-for-services documents, unclaimed cremains forms and other resources funeral directors and owners can use in their daily operations.

Marketing Support

Funeral homes interested in promoting advance funeral planning can take advantage of NJSFDA marketing materials available at no additional cost.

The association provides brochures and display materials that members can use to educate consumers about preplanning and encourage conversations within their communities.

Annual Funeral Directors Convention and Expo

The NJSFDA's annual Funeral Directors Convention and Expo brings together funeral professionals from New Jersey and surrounding states for education, networking and an opportunity to explore developments in funeral service.

The event features opportunities to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas and learn about new products, services and industry advancements. Members also receive reduced registration rates for Convention activities.

The 2027 Convention is scheduled for September 14 through 16 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

Timely Industry and Compliance Alerts

Keeping up with deadlines and operational developments can be challenging. NJSFDA email alerts and articles published in The FORUM help members stay aware of matters that could affect their businesses.

Notifications may include reminders about required compliance documents, as well as information about potential delays in processing electronic death certificates and other developments requiring funeral home attention.

These notifications are also available on the app.

Thanexus Cooperative

NJSFDA members also can participate in Thanexus, a national funeral practice management cooperative serving independently owned funeral homes.

Thanexus provides access to human resource services, marketing communications and insurance programs, offering participating firms additional resources to support their operations. A new website also provides more information concerning the benefits of Thanexus.

Renew Now!

Make sure you renew your membership by paying your dues before December 31, 2026. But you should also take a moment to share the benefits of membership with your fellow funeral directors.

Members are encouraged to introduce licensed colleagues to the NJSFDA and your district to promote the benefits and goodwill that come with membership. Doing so will ensure that the NJSFDA can continue to offer its services and advocate for you and the entire funeral industry.

The benefits outlined here represent just some of the resources available through membership in the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.

Whether the need involves regulatory guidance, professional education, financial services, business support or legislative representation, the association works to provide resources that help funeral professionals meet the challenges of their profession.

Membership is more than an annual expense. It is an investment in the resources, information and collective representation that support funeral service throughout New Jersey.

For information about renewing an existing membership or helping a colleague become an NJSFDA member, contact the association's Membership Services Department at 800.734.3712.

Samuel C. Arnold, President

One truism is “the only constant in life is change.” This is self-evident in today’s funeral industry. This truth is reflected in the attitudes and behaviors in our society.

Modern consumers are fundamentally transforming the funeral service industry, shifting away from traditional standardized services toward personalized, cost-conscious and technology-driven experiences. These are the shopping trends of the modernized funeral consumer:

• 69 percent of consumers conduct in-depth online research before making arrangements
• 90 percent prefer funeral homes that post their general price lists directly online
• 92 percent place high trust in online reviews and shift away from traditional religious services

Also, more than 62 percent of consumers have attended a service led by someone other than a traditional faith-based leader and 48 percent are open to hiring a certified celebrant.

With the rise of cremation and alternative dispositions, cremation continues to surpass traditional burials as the more common choice in the U.S., driven heavily by cost difference and changing personal philosophies. There is growing interest in eco-friendly options such as green burials, human composting and water cremation, also called aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis.

Here are some generation-specific preferences:

Millennials (born 1986-1996): View preplanning as a form of self-care and wellness and look for flexible payment models (e.g. full payment, subscriptions or installment options).

Gen Z (born 1997-2012): Expect a mobile-first, digital store front, demand ultra-personalization and heavily value community or life-celebration memorials.

Understanding the mindset of the modern-day funeral consumer has become the primary path to success in the funeral industry. To be more specific, funeral professionals must decode the evolving mindset of the funeral consumer, while staying abreast of ever-changing trends that can present challenges when assisting with funeral arrangements.

Expectations are more likely to be met when there is a connection between the funeral professional and consumer during their time of grief.

A major university is conducting research on musculoskeletal disorders and the professions most susceptible to these injuries. Funeral directors are being invited to participate in a study examining the physical demands of funeral service and the impact they have on long term musculoskeletal health.

The Ohio State University’s Engineering Laboratory for Human Factors/Ergonomics/Safety is seeking input from funeral directors to help identify workplace practices that may contribute to injury risk and develop strategies to improve safety in the workplace.

The survey asks questions about a variety of issues, including work history and the handling and preparation of human remains. Demographic questions are also included.

“Whether or not you experience musculoskeletal discomfort, your participation in this study is important,” an OSU call for participants stated. “In order to understand the factors that can contribute to work-related musculoskeletal discomfort, it is important to have participation of as many funeral service industry members as possible who perform any decedent handling activities, including those who do and do not experience musculoskeletal discomfort.”

The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete and participation is voluntary. Responses will be kept confidential. Participants may also choose to enter a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

To take the survey, click here.

Students enrolled in an accredited funeral service program could be eligible for an Order of the Golden Rule Foundation scholarship to help with the cost of their education.

The OGR Foundation is now taking applications for its 2027 Awards of Excellence scholarship, in which a total of $10,000 in financial assistance will be distributed to deserving students.

Eligible students must be enrolled in a funeral service program and be scheduled to graduate in 2027. Those wishing to apply can do so here. The deadline for applying is midnight on December 31, 2026.

OGR Foundation Board Chair Jamie Wieting said the awards are designed to assist the next generation of funeral industry leaders.

“Supporting these future professionals is an investment in the continued strength of independent funeral service,” Wieting said.

Awardees will also receive complimentary registration, travel expenses and accommodations at the OGR’s annual conference in Orlando, FL, to be held from May 17 to 19, 2027.

Founded in 1928, the OGR has had a mission of promoting high ethical standards and outstanding service in the funeral profession.

Private equity firms are buying up funeral homes in Vermont. A nonprofit company is working to provide appropriate grave markers for Jewish U.S. veterans buried overseas. And a professor gives insights into what our funeral traditions and cemeteries say about our culture. These stories and more area in the week in funeral news.

NEWS

Private Equity Firms Are Quietly Buying Local Funeral Homes
By Ken Picard (Seven Days)
Increasingly, when funeral directors retire, they either close their doors, or they sell to a private equity firm that likely operates dozens of other death-related businesses across multiple states. Read more here.

Morgue Mix-Up Disrupts Family Plans for Jewish Mourning Tradition
By Dee DePass (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
A Minneapolis, MN, woman is suing Abbott Northwestern Hospital, claiming a mix-up robbed the family of following Jewish traditions after her mother’s death. The daughter’s lawsuit accuses Abbott’s Minneapolis campus and a cremation business of breach of duty after Suzanne Trumbull died at the Minneapolis hospital and her body was put in a bag marked with another patient’s name and cremated without the family’s permission. Read more here.

Family Seeks Answers After Woman’s Remains Disappeared
By Bailey Wilson (KLFY)
A Louisiana family is searching for answers after the remains of their 72-year-old loved one went missing following her death in May 2026. Sharon Jeansonne died on May 26, 2026. Her family arranged for her cremation through New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service, but months later, they still have not received her remains. Read more here.

Family Waits More Than Nine Months for Headstone of Loved One Buried in Indiana Cemetery
By Ella Rhoades (WTHR)
More than 200,000 people are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN, under the colored trees where families can grieve their loved ones. “We’ve been having such a hard time trying to get this right,” said LaTonya Jackson. Jackson and her nephew Michael Williams said their mom and grandmother, Linda Durgan, doesn't rest in peace, and their grief hasn't found peace either. Read more here.

Giving Heroes Their Rightful Honor
By William Weinberg (Jewish United Fund)
Today, some 200,000 U.S. servicemembers are buried or memorialized in American military cemeteries overseas, most laid to rest under rows of white marble gravestones. In some cases, however, those gravestones do not reflect a soldier’s heritage or faith. Due to misidentification or accidents of fate, an unknown number of Jewish service members were buried under Latin Crosses. For 12 years, a nonprofit organization has worked to right these wrongs. Read more here.

What Cemeteries, Burial Practices Can Teach Us About the American Experience
By Emma Zerman (Bryant University)
In Colonial America, cemeteries were small, often located on a family property or tied to a house of worship, such as a churchyard. It was common to have plots with generations of people from the same family because loved ones were usually responsible for managing funeral preparations and burials. The Civil War, however, sunset this tradition as families became overloaded with casualties and, many times, people died far from home. Read more here.

George R. Kelder Jr., CFSP

There are a few things in life that are best not left until the last minute. Estate planning comes to mind. So does getting your continuing education credits in before the February 28, 2027 deadline. And for those of us who have ever waited until December 20 to start Christmas shopping, we know exactly how well procrastination works.

Planning for the future of a complex organization, however, is not something you want to put off until the last minute.

Under the guidance of your association Executive Committee, plans have been underway for many months regarding my retirement as executive director of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.

The date is still more than a year away. So I am not packing boxes, cleaning out my desk or purchasing a cottage in Ireland just yet. There is plenty of work to do, and I intend to keep doing it.

But after joining the NJSFDA in 1989, I have come to appreciate that one of the most important responsibilities of leadership is making certain an organization is prepared for what comes next. That responsibility does not begin when someone announces a departure. It begins long before that, with planning, mentoring, sharing knowledge and giving capable people the opportunity to grow. That is exactly what we have been doing.

The NJSFDA was founded in 1902. Think about that for a moment. This organization has served New Jersey's funeral service professionals through generations of change, economic challenges, legislative battles, technological advances and more than a few debates about how things ought to be done.

It has survived because its purpose has always been bigger than any one individual. The people occupying the offices, serving on committees, leading the boards and working behind the scenes have changed over the years. The responsibility to represent and serve our members has not.

That is why I want you to understand something important: Preparing for a leadership transition is a sign that we are taking our responsibilities seriously.

We have talented people on our staff who understand this organization, know our membership and are being given opportunities to develop the skills and experience necessary for the next chapter. Training and preparation are already part of the process. There is institutional knowledge to share, relationships to strengthen and plenty of lessons that only experience can teach.

No one should expect an organization to stand still simply because a familiar face has been there for a long time. Nor should anyone assume that a change in leadership means starting over. The objective is to build on what works, recognize what needs improvement and make certain that the people who follow us are prepared to meet the challenges ahead.

Over the coming months, I intend to write more about our people, our history and the work required to keep this association strong. Not every member sees what happens behind the scenes, and that is understandable. Most of you have businesses to run, families to care for and communities depending on you. You expect your association to be there when you need it.

That expectation will not change.

I have always believed that our members deserve honesty, preparation and a clear understanding of where their association is headed. You should not have to wonder whether the organization will be ready for the future. We have a responsibility to make sure it is.

There is work to do between now and then, and we intend to do it. The best way to honor the organization that has been such a significant part of my professional life is to help ensure that it remains strong long after I have turned over the keys.

Besides, if nearly 125 years of NJSFDA history have taught us anything, it is that this association has a way of carrying on.

And that is precisely how it should be.