Robert Staddon

On Tuesday, March 30, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced the immediate lifting of the statewide mandate to wear masks. As a result, it is no longer required for masks to be worn in public spaces. The decision to require masks to be worn can still be made by funeral...

Additionally, it was announced today that all Arkansans aged 16 and over are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Hutchinson encouraged all adults who have not yet received the vaccine to sign up to receive it, as this is the pathway for us out of the...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released the details of its policy for the reimbursement of expenses used to pay for the funerals of those whose death was due to COVID-19, occurring on or after January 20, 2020. This policy states that they " will...

On Friday, February 26, 2021, Governor Hutchinson announced that, with the exception of mask wearing, the Public Health Directives regarding COVID-19 have been downgraded to guidelines. Masks must be worn in all public indoor spaces where social distancing of six feet...

The SBA has established a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and non-profits with fewer than 20 employees. The 14-day exclusivity period started on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 9 a.m. and will end on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, while the other...

The following documents provide clarified guidance on the vaccination process in Arkansas and across the US.The CIWA document lists the different groups included in the various Phases being used for the vaccination distribution. P.3 states that it is intended to be...

If you received either a PPP loan or funds from the Ready for Business program, then you will want to be aware of the forgiveness and eligibility terms. Read more below. Forgiveness for the PPP Loan can be applied for before the loan matures. This is either a 2- or...

Due to shortages of N95 respirators, the FDA approved the use of KN95 and other alternative respirators. However, officials have discovered that counterfeit respirators have flooded the marketplace. Additionally, some respirators that were pulled for random testing...

Though their time on this earth was brief, their lives were meaningful, their memories are cherished, and their impact will last a lifetime. While they cannot stand beside us to share their stories, we will be their voices to raise awareness, provide support, and...

Today, the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) released the “Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine,” which includes funeral directors in the highest priority phase for vaccine allocation. This significant step would not have...

SFLIC achieves its 60th year of conducting business with a portfolio of final expense whole life and preneed insurance and service designed exclusively for the funeral profession. Read more below! SFLIC-Press-Release-60th-Ann.-to-ARDownload

The Leadership and Changing Behavior webinar, hosted by our valued partners Federated Insurance, is taking place on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Places are free, although guests are required to register in advance here. Read more below!...

As Last Responders, fatalities management workers are often the invisible faces of COVID-19. To date, there has been very little research to understand the consequences of COVID-19 on these workers. A team at the University of Iowa has written a research study to...

Governor Hutchinson today ordered a state-wide mandate for face coverings, beginning on Monday, July 20th, in response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, and in conjunction with healthcare experts. Masks covering the mouth and nose...

By SESCO Management Consultants In light of the racial and political tensions in our society today, In light of the racial and political tensions in our society today, SESCO notes that employers need to address inappropriate employee posts on private Facebook and...

AFDA has been able to secure the following PPE for our members at the exclusive prices below. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please get in touch with us by email at [email protected], detailing the items and volumes that you require. There is no...

The Arkansas Funeral Directors Association has worked closely with the Arkansas Department of Health in order to create a single plan, accepted by the Department, that would allow all funeral homes in the state to have either two-thirds capacity or 100 people present...

Updated May 29th A liability waiver for families to sign (Updated May 29th) Public Health & Safety Notice - May 20th, 2020 Public Sign for Public Gatherings in Arkansas (Updated May 14th) Public Sign for Large Public Gatherings in Arkansas (Updated May 14th) COVID...

The Small Business Administration is accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution,...

Based on available scientific evidence, the Arkansas Department of Health has deemed it necessary and appropriate to take the following further action to ensure that COVID-19 remains controlled and that residents and visitors in Arkansas remain safe. Please read the...

In this Funeral Home + Cemetery Management issue the focus is on members who manage combination funeral home and cemetery operations. Read about innovations and strategies from members, efforts to assist members through the COVID-19 pandemic and why this crisis is an...

Governor Asa Hutchinson announced on Monday May 4th that funerals will be permitted to take place in indoor venues with fewer than 50 people in attendance beginning on May 18th. $40m of new funding has been made available for Arkansas businesses to prepare for...

The CDC has offered guidance for completing a death certificate of a COVID-19 death. You may download it here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvss/vsrg/vsrg03-508.pdf On April 16, 2020, the CDC hosted a webinar on completing the death certificate for COVID-19 deaths....

On March 19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance to states naming mortuary workers as “critical infrastructure workers. Many states have adopted the DHS recommendations. One thing this order suggests is that critical infrastructure workers should...

On Wednesday March 25th, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that there will be a state mandate to ban all public gatherings of over 10 people.  This will become enforceable by law.  The official directive can be read below with more information available here....

A message from Kenny Culpepper, President of AFDA, to thank and commend all funeral homes for their diligent service and support during this very uncertain time. He makes some crucial recommendations for funeral directors, including practical advice to pass onto...

Dear AFDA members, We recognize that we are all dealing with an unprecedented situation. Not only is it unprecedented but it is evolving quickly. AFDA has been in close contact with national and state leaders to discuss the impact of this virus upon our members, the...

We regret to inform you that the Annual AFDA convention, scheduled to be held April 17-18th in Hot Springs has been canceled as precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Our board did not come to this decision lightly. It was initially our...

DEERFIELD, ILL. —February 12, 2020—Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educational Trust announced the recipient of the 2020 scholarship to the Selected Leadership Academy. This scholarship, valued at more than $5,000, was generously sponsored by a grant from...

DEERFIELD, ILL. — February 5, 2020—Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educational Trust has just appointed Bea Pedersen as its first-ever Executive Director. Ms. Pedersen has served the Trust for the past two years in the role of Development Director, a position for...

DEERFIELD, ILL. —January 26, 2020— Thanks to a generous offer from long-time supporter, Physicians Mutual, the Selected Educational Trust raised nearly $10,300 – a record high in donor revenues for the month of December from generous donors eager to help the Trust...

HOPE, AR – April 4, 2019 Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home, owned by Vickers and Thomas Fuqua, recently donated a 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Hearse to the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Funeral Service Education Program. The Fuquas own and operate Texarkana Funeral Homes...

BOBBY BURNS, Funeral Director at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe, has recently been elected President of the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association for the year 2018. Burns is in the fifth year of the six-year tenure as a chapter officer. He previously served as...

This past weekend, the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association held our annual convention March 31 - April 1 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Rogers, Arkansas. The convention kicked off with a cocktail reception and was followed by an awards banquet held in the Commerce...

If an email seems suspicious, chances are it is. AFDA was recently alerted to a suspicious email that read: HELLO,I FOUND YOUR CONTACT IN THE FUNERAL HOME DIRECTORIES. I JUST LOST MY MUM. SHE DIED ON A BUSINESS TRIP TO LONDON.I WANT YOUR FUNERAL HOME TO TAKE CARE OF...

With the new year, it’s important to set and keep goals for your funeral home, but remember to take care of yourself, too. Funeral directors have a busy schedule that can get rather hectic. By finding ways to relieve stress both physically and mentally, funeral...

2017 is the perfect time for your business to grow and succeed! Here are some marketing tips to get your business moving in 2017. Lets Get DigitalIf your business isn’t invested in Digital Marketing, then you are way behind and being missed by most potential...