2026年NFDA国际会议暨展览会在夏洛特举行，聚焦殡葬习俗与社区回馈

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is observed on Nov. 1-2, particularly in Mexico and Mexican American communities, to honor and celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones. For funeral professionals, understanding death traditions like this, along with best strategies for comforting the bereaved, is an integral part of their profession — and a big focus of this year’s National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) International Convention & Expo.

The event — which is the largest gathering for people in the funeral service field — brought together more than 5,550 attendees and approximately 375 exhibitors at the Charlotte Convention Center on Oct. 25-28. During that time, participants had access to engaging education sessions covering a wide range of topics, including funeral customs from around the world.

“As our world gets smaller and we see people from other countries moving to the U.S., funeral directors want to be able to meet those families where they are and ensure that they’re following customs as closely as they can,” said NFDA’s Director of Public Relations Jessica Koth. “This is a great way for our members to learn about those customs and traditions.”

Other education sessions covered technical subjects like embalming and restoration art, funeral home marketing and best practices for business operations. In addition, there were multiple sessions on how AI can be incorporated into funeral home operations in ways that help professionals focus more of their time on working with grieving families.

Making an Impact in the Community

Every day, people in the funeral profession make a profound impact in their communities as they support people in mourning. For the second year, the NFDA International Convention & Expo has incorporated a natural extension of this community dedication into the event through its Community Impact Zone, where attendees participate in service projects to give back to the show’s host city.

In conjunction with the Funeral Service Foundation, NFDA members supported Veterans Bridge Home — which provides resources to veterans and their families in Charlotte — by assembling care kits. The event also raised money for the Charlotte Regional Fire Foundation, a group that offers assistance to Charlotte Fire Department’s employees and retirees in need.

This community spirit did not end with the humans of Charlotte: Another Community Impact Zone activity supported animal welfare organizations. Just as funeral professionals bring a sense of warmth and comfort to the people they work with, expo attendees made fleece blankets to shelter and foster animals being served by the Humane Society of Charlotte and Halfway There Rescue.

Koth says Community Impact Zone activities are a natural way for NFDA members to thank host cities for their hospitality.

“Funeral homes are very much involved in the fabric of their communities back in their hometowns,” Koth said. “This was a way of giving back to the community of Charlotte for everything they’ve done to host our event.”

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