NEW: When Words Matter: A Funeral Director’s Guide to Clear & Compassionate Communication (2025)

This first resource of its kind in the funeral service profession is is grounded in original consumer research and designed to bridge the communication gap between funeral professionals and the families they serve.

Across Borders, Across Traditions: A Global Study of Funeral Preferences (2025)

This first-ever global survey of consumer opinions on funerals will help the global funeral service community better understand consumer attitudes and opinions in their own countries, and how they compare with other countries around the world.

Changing Consumer Preferences: A Generational Perspective on Attitudes Toward Funeral Service (2025)

A first-of-its-kind, this study examines consumer attitudes toward funeral service across generations and offers critical insights to help funeral service professionals adapt to evolving consumer expectations.

Business Practices Study (2025) 

As the rate of cremation increases, funeral directors must adapt. This study explores how their cremation-related business practices are evolving in a changing marketplace.

Consumer Awareness and Preferences Survey (2025)

NFDA goes directly to consumers to understand their evolving preferences regarding funeral service and shares key lessons with funeral professionals in this report.

Employer/Student Satisfaction Study (2022)

Recruiting and retaining qualified professionals is a top concern for funeral directors. This study evaluates whether job seeker and employer expectations are congruent, realistic and achievable.

Value of a Funeral Study (2022)

The COVID-19 pandemic led to profound changes in how people experienced funerals and memorial services. This study examines whether these changes will take root.

Howard C. Raether Library

NFDA maintains the Howard C. Raether Library, a unique collection of books, periodicals, proceedings and other materials dealing specifically with funeral service and related death care topics. Located at NFDA in Brookfield, Wisconsin, the library is a non-lending research collection, open to students and researchers by appointment only. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday- Friday. Contact NFDA at 262-789-1880 or NFDA@NFDA.org for details.