Become a Certified Celebrant!

The Foundation recognizes that celebrants who serve families extends beyond licensed funeral directors. Oftentimes hospice and healthcare professionals, clergy, chaplains, educators, counselors, social workers, and others work with funeral homes to provide families with personalized and meaningful memorialization experiences.

Scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant.

Ten scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant. Offered by InSight Institute, the scholarship is available solely for the seminar held June 25-27 at the NFDA Headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Valued at up to $2,000, scholarships cover registration fees, two nights of hotel accommodations and up to $500 in travel reimbursement. Registration for the seminar opens on March 25, 2025.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

SUBMISSION PERIOD
February 17 – April 15, 2025

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS INCLUDED
Answering five questions in no more than 250 words per question and submitting a brief video, no longer than two minutes.

Learn More

  • Scholarships are available to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and are interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant.
  • Scholarships are available solely for NFDA-hosted Certified Celebrant Training, in partnership with Insight Institute.
  • Recipients of other Funeral Service Foundation scholarships may apply.
  • Those who have already registered for the seminar may apply.
  • Scholarships will be awarded without regard to race, religious beliefs, age, national origin, or disability.
  • Scholarships are available to NFDA members and non-members.
  • Scholarships are not renewable and a candidate may only receive this award once.
  • If unable to attend designated scholarship events, the scholarship recipient will forfeit his or her scholarship for that year, but may apply in subsequent years.
  • All scholarships are subject to available funds.
  • All award decisions of the Funeral Service Foundation are final.
  • Alternates may be selected in the event that a scholarship recipient decides not to accept the award.
  • Only completed applications will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
  • The Funeral Service Foundation reserves the right to eliminate from consideration incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
  • Recipients will be notified via email.
Celebrant Training Brookfield group photo 2023 Square Crop

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Caroline Bailey
Blessing Way Enterprises, LLC Supply, NC

Norval Brown
Cary United Methodist Church Cary, IL

Gina Hansen
Forest North Funeral Chapel Staten Island, NY

Karrie Houtz
Brandt Funeral Home

Wayne, OH

Robert Little
Guibord-Pearsons & Sayles Funeral Home St.Johnsbury, VT

Lily Meade
SCI- Denver Mortuary Science
Wheat Ridge, CO

John Montney
O’Guinn Family Funeral Home
Clio, MI

Brian Pinter
Nolan-Fidale Funeral Homes
Aston, PA

Cassandra Springborn
Haskell Funeral & Cremation Services
Princeville, IL

Kimberly Wolfe
Hooper Memorial Home, INC
Harrisburg, PA