One of the great advantages of attending the 2026 Funeral Directors Convention and Expo in Atlantic City is the opportunity to nurture existing relationships and make new friends during the Convention’s many social events.

This year, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association is even more dedicated to helping you form connections and broaden the community you need to make your business as successful and profitable as possible during the event, held this year at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City from September 15 to September 17.

From browsing the Exhibit Hall to cheering on funeral service program students competing in the popular Mortuary School Olympics, there will be plenty of time to shake hands, catch up and get acquainted with your fellow Convention attendees.

What’s in It for You?

Those connections you make can help you refine your business offerings, provide you with the latest products to streamline your workflow and introduce you to new technologies that can save you time. And, as every business leader knows, time is money.

In addition, you may meet promising new industry leaders who can help your business and personal interactions with new perspectives. In short, you can grow–personally, professionally and financially.

So here are some of the events during which you can meet, greet and enjoy the company of those who share your desire to see the funeral profession be the best it can be.

General Session

On Wednesday, September 16 at 10:45 a.m., the NJSFDA will hold its annual business meeting, featuring the installation of the new association President, Samuel C. Arnold. Also, NJSFDA Executive Director and CEO George R. Kelder Jr., CFSP, will deliver his annual state of the industry remarks, featuring the highlights of a busy year for the association. Members who are not registered for the Convention may request a badge to attend the General Session at no charge. 

Exhibit Hall Opening Reception

Join your colleagues for the opening of the Exhibit Hall at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 16 in the Etess Area. This is an opportunity to take a first look at the products and services offered by our exhibitors and see what is trending in the industry. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served along with open bars scattered throughout the Exhibit Hall.

Convention Party

Always a highlight, the annual Convention party this year will feature Dexter Allgood with his R&B band providing strong vibes and soulful live music from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16 at The Balcony at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Come for the music and enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while reconnecting with old acquaintances and developing new friendships. Separate ticket purchase and ID required.

Service of Remembrance

Join us in the Brighton Ballroom at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, September 17 as we remember NJSFDA members who have died this past year. Everyone is welcome to attend this personalized commemorative event to share memories with families and friends. Anyone not registered for the Convention may request a badge to attend the Service of Remembrance at no charge. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor the community of which you are a vital part.

Mortuary School Olympics

Back with new challenges this year, watch as students from American Academy McAllister Institute, Eastwick College and Mercer County Community College compete in funeral service assignments, trivia games and physical challenges for a chance to be recognized as “champions” of the Mortuary School Olympics, held in the Brighton Ballroom at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, September 17. Cheer on these future funeral service professionals and make sure to greet those who will be future industry leaders.

The Last Call

Taking the place of the Funeral Directors Round-Up in 2026 is The Last Call, offered at the conclusion of Convention for everyone to wrap up the event, say goodbye and promise to take the next step in building lasting relationships for your business and professional life. This event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 17 at the Center Bar at Hard Rock Cafe.

In addition to these formal events, coffee and refreshments will be available in Fort Pierce B on September 16 and September 17, providing even more opportunities for conversation.

Mark Your Calendars!

By attending the Convention, the benefits, as well as the advantages they provide, are yours. Investing in your business through attending from September 15 to September 17, 2026, could realize a significant return in both your professional advancement and bottom line.

Stay tuned to The FORUM and your email for more details on this important event.

We’ll see you at the Hard Rock!

A New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association member firm has been honored by the International Order of the Golden Rule for exemplary service to consumers.

Brunswick Memorial Funeral Home in East Brunswick was named one of the 2026 Exemplary Service recipients, which were presented on May 6, 2026 at the OGR’s celebration dinner in Louisville, KY.

Brunswick was one of four firms nationwide to receive the OGR recognition.

The award is given to firms that “have displayed outstanding professionalism and exemplary service to the families they serve,” according to the OGR. Feedback gathered through the order’s family contact survey program is used to determine awardees.

“They couldn’t do enough for us,” one family wrote concerning Brunswick. “From the day we met with them after my husband’s passing to the day I picked up his ashes, they were superb.”

In May 2025, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association unveiled its new app, which provides members with information they need to conduct business at their fingertips.

A year later, 638 members have downloaded the app, allowing them access to the NJSFDA’s member directory, The FORUM, digital alerts, events listings, classified ads and more on their smart phones. The app has quickly become a “must have” for members.

It will become even more indispensable in the future. With the 2026 Funeral Directors Convention and Expo fast approaching, attendees will be able to use the app to access schedules, locations and more for the many events the NJSFDA is holding from September 15 to September 17, 2026 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

If you don’t have the app on your smart phone yet, here’s how you can get it:

1. Download the NJSFDA app by searching “NJSFDA” in the App Store or Google Play
2. Log in using your NJSFDA website credentials. If you need assistance with logging in, call Membership Services at 800.734.3712

Here are some of the features included in the app:

The FORUM

Access The FORUM by clicking the button at the bottom navigation bar. Members can now stay on top of industry developments, trends and insights, and they’ll be able to like, comment, share and save articles right in the app.

This puts information that can help your business right at your fingertips, allowing you to access important stories right on your cell phone or tablet.

Classifieds

The app’s new Classifieds section is designed for job seekers and buyers alike. Funeral directors and interns can search and apply for positions directly in the app, and users can explore opportunities to acquire funeral homes.

2026 Convention and Expo

The Events section of the app will be integral for those attending the 2026 Funeral Directors Convention and Expo. Attendees will be able to view the schedule of speakers and events and access a virtual floorplan of the casino to navigate where the featured events, seminars and exhibitor booths are located.

They will also be able to access seminar materials, evaluations and polls, all from their phones. There’s also built-in functionality to engage with speakers and exhibitors during the Convention. The Convention information will be available only to those registered for the event.

Member Directory

Members can connect immediately using intuitive, one-tap functionality. From any directory profile, users can call or email a colleague, send a direct message through the app or access turn-by-turn directions to a member’s funeral home.

Officers, Boards, Committees and Celebrants

This module centralizes all leadership information in one place. It provides a complete listing of officers, trustees, board members and committee members, along with a historical roster of Past Presidents and a directory of certified celebrants.

Pertinent Member Resources in One Place

Governance materials are housed directly in the app, ensuring all members have access. This includes key resources such as the NJSFDA Constitution and Bylaws, dues schedule and district map, all organized for quick reference and easy navigation.

This upgrade will replace a static annual publication with a living digital tool that enhances accuracy, strengthens communication and expands the resources available to our members.

As the NJSFDA app turns one year old, it has become more inviting and essential for members. If you haven’t yet downloaded it, follow the above instructions and do it today. You will find it a valuable tool for connecting with your community and accessing information vital to your business.

Reforms to mortuary laws and regulations in Colorado are yielding some early results. Four employees of an Apache tribe in Arizona are on leave as part of an investigation into funds missing from a fund established to help with funeral costs. And a carpenter in Canada’s Yukon is crafting custom caskets for indigenous people. These stories and more are in the week in funeral news.

NEWS

A Gentler, Greener Alternative to Traditional Funeral Options
By The Story Exchange
Death is never easy for people to navigate, emotionally or logistically. One particularly sensitive topic: How to handle the body. When Candis Best lost her sister, she initially considered traditional cremation but struggled with the idea of setting a loved one’s remains on fire. Through research, she learned about water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), an eco-conscious alternative that uses warm water, alkaline compounds, heat and gentle circulation to replicate the natural decomposition process. Read more here.

Father’s Cremated Remains Stolen from Local Artist in Washington
By Jack Bilyeu (KIRO 7)
A local artist is asking for the public’s help after a thief stole her work and her father’s ashes from a car in Tukwila, WA. She told a local television station she is out thousands of dollars after the theft, but her biggest priority is getting her father’s remains back. Read more here.

Meet the Yukon Carpenter Who Is Crafting Caskets for Indigenous People
By Sara Connors (APTN News)
It’s a typical day at Roland Asp’s workshop in Whitehorse, Yukon. A member of the Tahltan Nation and a Red Seal carpenter, the 74-year-old retiree can make just about anything. These days, he’s turned his attention to a unique niche: caskets. Read more here.

Lawsuit Claims Florida Cemetery Hid Damage to Infant’s Casket and Remains
By Lisa Zahner (Vero News)
The City of Vero Beach, FL, is currently defending itself in nearly a dozen open civil lawsuits, but none as potentially troubling for top city officials as a complaint from the parents of an infant interred at Crestlawn Cemetery in 2007. Read more here.

Four Employees of Apache Tribe in Arizona on Leave Amid Probe into Missing Funeral Funds
By Justin Lum (Fox 10)
An active internal investigation is underway within the San Carlos Apache Tribe regarding hundreds of thousands of dollars missing from a fund designated to help families pay for the funerals of deceased loved ones. Read more here.

Mortuary Reform in Colorado Aims to Stop Abuse
By Glenn Wallace (Axios)
Colorado's new mortuary inspection system is tightening oversight of the funeral industry after years of misconduct. Read more here.

The price of manufacturing caskets has risen 4.2 percent in the past year, a hike that has caused funeral homes to increase the prices they are charging consumers as well.

The Producer Price Index for burial casket manufacturing, calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, increased from 499.088 in April 2025 to 520.014 in April 2026, according to May 13, 2026 statistics released by the federal reserve. The PPI does not correspond directly to dollar figures. Instead, it is set from a base of 100 established in 1984. A figure of 520, therefore, means that prices are 5.2 times what they were in 1984.

Key Takeaways

• Casket manufacturing costs rose 4.2 percent, driving higher funeral home retail prices
• Tariffs and fuel costs increased raw material, transportation, and operational expenses industrywide
• Funeral homes face added compliance costs when updating legally required consumer price lists

The increase in casket manufacturing costs is in part attributable to the tariffs introduced by the administration of President Donald J. Trump in April 2025. Among those goods taxed were metals and some woods often used in the construction of caskets.

If the PPI increase was treated strictly as a pass-through cost from manufacturer all the way to consumer, the price of an average casket, calculated at $3,786 in the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association 2025 Biennial Statistical Pricing Survey, would increase by $159.

Funeral homes, in response, have been raising their retail prices for caskets. An informal study of Thanexus firms indicates that 40 percent of stakeholders have submitted increases in their price lists since January 2026.

The increase in the costs of raw materials has hit the casket industry hard. In October 2025, Private Label, a company that advertised low-cost caskets, announced it was winding down operations by the end of 2025. The firm specifically cited “global economic volatility” and increasing tariffs on raw materials from overseas.

“These conditions make it increasingly difficult to guarantee affordable, stable pricing and dependable supply,” Private Label said in a message to its customers at the time.

The PPI statistics show that a significant jump was recorded in December 2025 as the impact of tariffs and energy costs began to hit the manufacturing sector. But the increase in prices manufacturers charge for caskets is not the only cost for funeral directors.

While many companies, including manufacturers can tack on a tariff surcharge to their pricing, funeral directors are legally prevented from doing so.

By federal rule, every change in prices charged by a funeral home requires the creation and issuance of a new price list, with an effective date. This effects the General Price List, Casket Price List and Outer Burial Container Price List.

The cost of creating and issuing new price lists is not insignificant. And uncertainty over the economy may necessitate more price increases. Inflation surged in April 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, largely because of disruptive increases in fuel costs.

“Over 40 percent of the April advance in prices for final demand goods can be attributed to a 15.6 percent increase in the index for gasoline,” the BLS stated.

Diesel fuel has surged as well, meaning that prices for the transport of manufactured goods will also increase.

The New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association recommends that those looking to increase their prices order limited numbers of copies of their price lists. By doing this, funeral home owners and managers will be able to adjust pricing in the future without wasting too many resources on outdated price lists.

By Allyse R. Worland, CFSP

For years, funeral service has repeated the same refrain: “We can’t find good people.” But after nearly two decades in this profession as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, a multi‑location general manager, an educator and someone who has mentored many apprentices and new licensees, I can tell you with absolute clarity: We don’t have a talent shortage. We have a culture shortage.

And until we address that, recruitment strategies, sign‑on bonuses and job postings won’t fix what’s actually driving people away.

Why Listen to Me?

Because I’ve lived both sides of this profession. I’ve worked in funeral homes where the culture was so dysfunctional that an umbrella was once thrown at my head because it wasn’t packed into the hearse “correctly.” And I’ve led teams in multi‑location operations where morale was strong, turnover was low and people wanted to stay.

I’ve trained apprentices who were bright, compassionate and motivated, only to watch them leave the profession entirely because of toxic environments that drained the joy out of the work.

I’ve also rebuilt teams, redesigned workflows and coached leaders into creating cultures where people thrive, families feel the difference and the business grows because of it.

My perspective, which I will explain during my seminar at the 2026 Funeral Directors Convention and Expo, isn’t theoretical. It’s lived, tested and proven across multiple states, multiple ownership models and multiple generations of funeral professionals.

What’s the ROI for Attending This Session?

If you’re an owner, manager, or decision‑maker, the return on investment is immediate and measurable:

1. Reduced turnover, which saves you real money. Replacing a funeral director can cost one and a half to two times their annual salary when you factor in recruiting, onboarding, lost productivity and lost continuity with families. Healthy culture cuts that dramatically.
2. Higher morale equals higher quality of service. When your team feels supported, families feel it. Your reputation strengthens. Your online reviews improve. Your community trust deepens.
3. Better recruitment without spending a dollar. Great culture becomes your most powerful marketing tool. Word travels fast in this profession, especially about the places people don’t want to work.
4. Leadership skills you can implement the moment you get home. This session isn’t about theory. You’ll walk away with practical tools for communication, accountability and culture‑building that you can use immediately.
5. A competitive advantage in a shrinking workforce. The funeral homes that thrive in the next decade will be the ones that invest in culture now. This session shows you exactly how to do that.

Why This Session Matters Now?

Funeral service is at a crossroads. We can continue blaming the workforce, or we can finally address the environments we’re asking people to work in.

This session is for leaders who are ready to:

• Build teams that stay
• Create workplaces people are proud to be part of
• Strengthen their reputation in the community
• Improve quality of care
• Secure the future of their business

If we want to attract and retain the next generation of funeral professionals, we must become the places where people can thrive, not just survive.

That’s the work. That’s the opportunity. And that’s the future this profession deserves.

Allyse R. Worland, CFSP, is a licensed funeral director who works with funeral homes on topics such as team building and care center improvements. Her seminar, The Real Shortage in Funeral Service Isn't Licensees, will be held from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, September 16 and from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. Registration for the event is now open. Register for the 2026 Funeral Directors Convention and Expo by July 1 and receive an automatic 10 percent discount.