In today’s world, with countless causes vying for our attention and support, it can be challenging to decide where to allocate charitable dollars effectively. As business owners in the death care space, we have a unique opportunity to invest in our own profession by supporting the Funeral Service Foundation. The foundation provides essential resources, education, grants and scholarships that directly benefit the funeral service community. Do you want to help our country during times of need and help fellow funeral directors? By supporting the Foundation, you can make a lasting impact right where it matters most.
As a longtime advocate of the Foundation, ASD has witnessed firsthand the positive changes and advancements it brings to the funeral service community. Recently, our family-member owner, Kathy Kelley, took on an even more active role by becoming a trustee. This commitment underscores the value we see in the Foundation’s mission to educate current and aspiring morticians, inform the public about the vital role of deathcare professionals, and provide crucial grants in the wake of mass fatality events.
“Many funeral directors don’t think twice about giving back to their communities, so for me, being a part of the funeral service foundation and having the opportunity to give back our profession and investing in our future as a community is second nature,” shared David Lee Hernandez Jr, Founder of Jersey Memorial Group. “The FSF is a multifaceted organization provides education scholarships, philanthropic grants, provides funds in emergencies and invests in professional development. You name it, the FSF is on it.”
By standing with the Funeral Service Foundation, you can help ensure a strong, well-informed, and resilient future for our profession. Read on to discover 6 important reasons why we think you should support this invaluable organization.
1. Empower the next generation of funeral directors
ASD first became involved in the Funeral Service Foundation when we learned about the organization’s commitment to providing academic scholarships to those looking to pursue a career in the deathcare space. We believe it is crucial to promote and inspire more individuals to consider joining the funeral profession. While this business may not possess a glamorous allure, it plays an indispensable role in our society. The Funeral Service Foundation is committed to offering assistance and backing to those remarkable individuals who decide to embark on the less conventional path of pursuing a career in mortuary science. Given the recent scarcity of licensed funeral directors, this mission has never been more important.
As a funeral home owner, you have likely experienced firsthand the impact of the funeral director workforce shortage. This issue demonstrates the necessity of supporting the Funeral Service Foundation to ensure the future of our profession. By contributing to the foundation, you help fund educational initiatives, academic and professional scholarships, as well as programs that attract and train new talent. This investment not only addresses the current workforce gap but also secures a robust pipeline of qualified professionals who are essential for maintaining the high standards of service our communities depend on.
2. Help others during times of crisis
One of the most impactful yet lesser-known initiatives of the Funeral Service Foundation is its essential Crisis Response Fund. Within hours of an emergent situation, the foundation can activate this fund, providing a dedicated fundraising platform and facilitating the swift deployment of resources and support. The Foundation has funded significant projects such as the Hurricane Katrina Memorial in 2010 and has offered aid following various natural disasters and crises. Additionally, the fund has enabled the creation and distribution of free community resources. As a funeral director, this is such an essential mission to support. It provides immediate and meaningful assistance in times of crisis, reflecting your core values of compassion and service.
Most recently, the Foundation was mobilized to assist when funeral homes throughout Iowa were devastated by catastrophic flooding last month. Collaborating closely with the Iowa Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) and Homesteaders Life Company, the Foundation granted the IFDA $20,000 for their Flood Relief Fund and is accepting online contributions at: Crisis Response Fund – Iowa Donations – Funeral Service Foundation. All proceeds from this fund directly support funeral service professionals and the communities they serve. Through these efforts, the Foundation not only helped provide much-needed financial assistance but also highlighted the critical importance of the funeral service profession during times of crisis.
3. Elevate the funeral service profession
With so much negativity surrounding the funeral profession reinforced by exaggerated entertainment tropes and one-sided news coverage, having an organization that is devoted to showcasing the best of funeral service is so vital. This is one area where the Funeral Service Foundation has truly been instrumental in helping to tell our side of the story. By supporting the Foundation, you can help to uphold and enhance the reputation of the funeral service profession as a whole. This collective effort demonstrates a commitment to high ethical standards and community service, which can positively influence public perception.
4. Lift Up Grieving Communities
Funeral directors must often bear witness to life’s most tragic stories. They see firsthand what causes great suffering and often feel compelled to make a difference. This is reflected in the Funeral Service Foundation’s mission to create free Family and Community Support Resources that can help families to understand that they are not alone in their grief. Sharing these trusted resources enables funeral directors to establish strong, trusted relationships while building support around grieving families. The Foundation’s resource literature often addresses urgent and frequently overlooked grief needs, such as coping with loss during the pandemic or supporting grieving children.
5. Small Donation = Big Impact
If you have ever seen the big checks that are often used at Funeral Service Foundation funding events, you may believe that you have to make a large donation to help the foundation. However, any size donation is appreciated and immediately put to good use to support the mission. Understanding that every donation dollar helps, the foundation offers a variety of ways you can show your support.
- Online donations: Visit https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/donatenow/ to make a donation online any time. You can also select a project designation to ensure your donation is applied to a specific mission.
- Major gifts: Many companies in the funeral profession, including ASD, have supported the foundation by committing to make a major gift over a period of time, emphasizing the need for larger dollars to make a significant impact for the benefit of the funeral service profession. Making a one-time or pledged gift over 5 years is a wonderful way to show your support for the Foundation and impact areas that you care deeply about.
- Memorial gifts: A gift made to the Funeral Service Foundation in memory of a colleague, friend or family member provides a lasting contribution to the profession of funeral service.
- Honor gifts: Celebrate a special occasion, a professional achievement, a milestone anniversary, a retirement or simply let someone know they are in your thoughts by making an Honor gift donation in their name to the foundation.
- Cremation recycling: The Foundation’s Recycling Redefined program allows funeral homes to share proceeds from recycling the precious metals left behind after cremation.
6. Personal and Professional Fulfillment
Giving back to the Foundation can bring a sense of personal and professional fulfillment. Knowing that your contributions are making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and the future of their profession can be a powerful motivator and source of pride. You may even decide to become involved with the organization in another capacity, such as volunteering your time, joining a committee, or serving as a trustee. Engaging with the foundation in these ways can deepen your connection to its mission, expand your professional network, and further amplify the positive impact you can make.
Supporting the Funeral Service Foundation is more than just a charitable act; it’s an investment in the future of our profession. As funeral directors and business owners, we have the power to make a substantial difference by ensuring that essential resources, education, and support are available for those in our field. Join us in standing with the Funeral Service Foundation and helping to make a lasting impact.
Related Reading
Kathy Kelley of ASD Appointed Trustee of Funeral Service Foundation to Enhance Educational Efforts in the Funeral Profession
Supporting Mortuary Science Students and the Next Generation of Funeral Directors
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