Northeast Funeral Service Partnership Programs

Advance Your Career with the 2026 Northeast Funeral Service Leadership Academy

The New York State Funeral Directors Association is now accepting applications for the 2026 Northeast Funeral Service Leadership Academy — a premier leadership development program created specifically for funeral professionals who are ready to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact on the profession.

Presented for the third time through the Northeast Funeral Service Partnership, a collaboration among the funeral director associations of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, the Academy is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in funeral service.

Beginning in October 2026, participants will engage in a dynamic combination of in-person and virtual learning experiences focused on the real-world skills today’s funeral professionals need most.

Topics include:

  1. Leadership development
  2. Public speaking and presentation skills
  3. Community engagement
  4. Effective communication
  5. The role and importance of professional associations
  6. Industry trends and emerging issues

Participants will also collaborate on a capstone group project addressing a current challenge facing funeral service, culminating in an online presentation in April 2027.

Graduates of the Leadership Academy will leave better prepared to:

  1. Step confidently into leadership roles within their funeral homes
  2. Strengthen relationships between their funeral homes and the communities they serve
  3. Become active volunteers and future leaders within their state associations

 Tentative 2026–2027 Course Schedule

  1. October 2026 — In-Person Kick-Off Session at NYSFDA Headquarters, Albany, NY
  2. November 2026 — Online: Role of Associations & Board Responsibilities
  3. December 2026 — Online: Effective Communication
  4. January 2027 — Online: The State of the Funeral Profession
  5. February 2027 — Online: Self-Care for Leaders
  6. March 2027 — In-Person: Final Project Development
  7. April 2027 — Online: Final Project Presentations

Because this program requires a meaningful commitment beyond day-to-day funeral home responsibilities, applicants are strongly encouraged to secure the support and endorsement of their owner or manager prior to applying.

Download the application today. Applications are now being accepted, with a submission deadline of August 31, 2026. Please return them to Kelly Deitz at kelly@nysfda.org.