Blog

When a family chooses to donate a loved one’s body for education or research, they do so with the hope that they will help others. Regrettably, many are unknowingly contributing to a for-profit industry in which the body of their loved one could be traded as raw...

The Arkansas Funeral Directors Association installed Scott Berna of Fayetteville as its new president. Berna was installed as AFDA president during an association board of directors meeting in Little Rock last month. AFDA Board takes oath of office Berna had...

After an extended two-year term as president of AFDA, Kenny Culpepper passed the gavel onto his successor, Scott Berna. The COVID pandemic, amidst great local and international turmoil, meant that the AFDA Executive Board remained unchanged last year. After a...

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is launching the National Emerging Leaders Program today to help funeral service professionals develop leadership skills that will serve them well in any setting they may find themselves – their funeral home, their...

Get the skills you need to drive change in your business, participate in state and national associations and inspire others in your community. In this new program from NFDA, all funeral service professionals are invited to participate in the National Emerging Leaders...

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...