CT Funeral Directors Assn. Awards Funds To Future Director

Press release from Connecticut Funeral Directors Association:

August 17 2020

WETHERSFIELD, CONN., – The Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) has selected Emma Campbell of West Hartford as the recipient of its 2020 Scholarship Award for Connecticut high school seniors who are pursuing careers in funeral service.

Campbell graduated with Honors from Hall High School in West Hartford this June and, this Fall, she will enter the Funeral Service Program at Goodwin University in East Hartford, Conn. The Connecticut Funeral Directors Association awarded her $750 in scholarship funds to be used toward her education and professional training. Instead of CFDA’s traditional presentation ceremony at its summer membership meeting (canceled due to COVID-19), leaders of the association presented Campbell with the funds and a bouquet of flowers outside, on the front lawn of her home.

“We created this scholarship award to help ensure that there will continue to be qualified professionally educated and trained funeral directors who will serve families and individuals in the future,” explains John F. Cascio, Executive Director of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association. “This year’s scholarship award presentation is bittersweet as it is made to Emma Campbell in memory of Alexander J. Scott, CFSP, CPC, CCSP, the 2020 President of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association who died unexpectedly in June. Alex was a tremendous advocate for encouraging young people to enter our profession,” says Cascio. “He believed it was the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association’s responsibility to support those who want to provide this important care and service.”

All funeral directors/embalmers in the State of Connecticut must be licensed. The licensure requirements include a degree in mortuary science or funeral service from an accredited college or university, successful completion of the National Conference Board Examination, and a one-year apprenticeship under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director/embalmer.

To be eligible for the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association’s 2020 scholarship award for high school seniors pursuing careers in funeral service, candidates had to meet the following criteria:

· Be a high school senior to graduate in June 2020;

· Be a legal resident of the State of Connecticut;

· Be pursuing a career as a funeral director; and

· Had maintained at least a B grade point average in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

All candidates were required to submit the application form and a current high school transcript and an essay responding to the question: Why are You Pursuing a Career as a Funeral Director?

For more information about the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, visit www.ctfda.org or call 860-721-0234 or 800-919-2332.

The 131-year-old Connecticut Funeral Directors Association is comprised of funeral directors at more than 220 funeral homes. Based in Wethersfield, Conn., the professional organization is committed to the promotion and advocacy of high ethical standards in funeral service. This includes the development and presentation of ongoing professional training opportunities for practitioners and educational programs for association members and the public. For more information about the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association or its holiday collection drive, call 860-721-0234 or 800-919-2332, or visit www.ctfda.org

This press release was produced by the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association. The views expressed here are the author’s own.