Iowa Funeral Directors Association

04/05/2026

We hope you all have a wonderful Easter Sunday!

04/03/2026

📢IFDA Speaker Spotlight📢

Michael Triplett has served as Legislative Counsel for the Iowa Funeral Directors Association since 2006. He received a bachelors and law degree from The University of Iowa. He has over 30 years of experience at the Iowa Legislature. Michael Triplett also assists IFDA with our federal advocacy. He continues to be a powerhouse for our Association. We are very excited to have him back again this year for convention.

Michael Triplett will be presenting Iowa Laws and Rules on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

More spotlights to come! Click the link below to register today!🎉
https://iafda.org/2026-convention-registration/

04/02/2026

📢IFDA Speaker Spotlight📢

An entrepreneur for 30 years, primarily in the hospitality industry, Bob Pacanovsky, and his team created over 7,000 meetings, events, and receptions (including catering 25 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction events), and had one opportunity to create both a “wow experience” and a lasting impression (or a Black Tie Experience) on his clients and guests.

Now as a keynote speaker and strategic trainer, he uses his two decades of work to teach companies and organizations how to focus on Hospitality, Service Excellence, and Selfless Leadership to create Black Tie Experiences for every client and guest.
Bob has worked with organizations and associations across the country in industries such as professional services, travel/tourism, healthcare, hospitality, association management, education, banking, and more. He has achieved Professional Membership in the National Speakers Association (NSA).

Bob lives in Akron, Ohio, and is a graduate of The University of Akron with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. He is a passionate volunteer and has served on numerous non-profit boards, including the Alzheimer’s Association, OPEN M (a Christian Ministry), Jennings Senior Living, Goodwill Industries, Humane Society of Summit County, and others.

Bob Pacanovsky, the IFDA 2026 Convention Keynote Speaker, will be presenting on Tuesday, April 14th at 9 a.m. (The 5 Essential Laws of Hospitality) and Wednesday, April 15th at 8:30 a.m. (The Big 4 to Creating More Storytellers).

More spotlights to come! Click the link below to register today!🎉
https://iafda.org/2026-convention-registration/

03/27/2026

📢IFDA Speaker Spotlight📢

Leili McMurrough, J.D., is President and Program Director of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois. A licensed funeral director, embalmer, and attorney, she brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to funeral service education and workforce development.

Leili has served in national leadership roles within the profession, including as Chair of the Committee on Accreditation for the American Board of Funeral Service Education. She is also a trustee of the Funeral Service Foundation and a frequent speaker on topics including workforce development, leadership, and the future of funeral service. Her work focuses on strengthening funeral service education and addressing the profession’s evolving workforce challenges.

Leili will be presenting The Future of Funeral Service Depends on Retention: Education and the Next Generation of Directors on Tuesday at 8 a.m.

More spotlights to come! Click the link below to register today!🎉
https://iafda.org/2026-convention-registration/

03/18/2026

📢 IFDA Convention Keynote Speaker, Bob Pacanovsky will present The 5 Essential Laws of Hospitality, Tuesday, April 14th at 9:00 AM and The BIG 4 to Creating More Storytellers for your Organization on Wednesday, April 15th at 8:30 AM!📢

How often does your brand get talked about? When people talk about your organization to others, do they become passionate storytellers, sharing their positive experiences? Customer service is undoubtedly important, but it's not enough.

To truly captivate customers and turn them into brand ambassadors, you need to master the art of hospitality. While customer service brings people in, hospitality is essential as it keeps them coming back. By focusing on the emotional connection and personalized experiences that hospitality offers, you'll create a lasting impression and foster customer loyalty, retention, and revenue growth. And you'll discover these 5 Laws of Hospitality and how to apply them to your business and transform your customers from a “state of satisfaction” to a “state of loyalty”.

We are thrilled to host Bob Pacanovsky at the 146th Annual IFDA Convention! Register today to attend the Black-Tie Experience and many more amazing speakers. 🎉

Prairie Meadows Convention Center | Altoona, IA | April 13-16, 2026
Click here to register: https://iafda.org/2026-convention-registration/

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/13/2026

Attention Mortuary Science Students, Interns & Newly Licensed Funeral Directors:

We are pleased to extend an invitation to all students and interns to attend our 146th Annual Convention, taking place April 13th through April 16th at the Prairie Meadows Convention Center.

This annual gathering is a distinguished event that brings together funeral service professionals from across the Midwest and the profession to engage in continuing education, professional development, networking, and collaboration. It offers a unique opportunity for emerging professionals to connect with experienced leaders in the field, gain valuable industry insight, and further strengthen their professional relationships.

In addition to all the convention programming, we are especially excited to host a private session on April 15th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, designed open dialogue and ask questions. Following this session, attendees are warmly invited to a reception from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Presidential Suite with members of the IFDA Executive Committee. This reception will provide an excellent opportunity to engage with leadership and peers in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Complimentary refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served during the reception.

Attendance at convention is FREE for all students and interns, and we strongly encourage you to take part in this pivotal opportunity to grow professionally, expand your network, and become more involved within the funeral service community.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with the link below.

April 15, 2026: Private Session from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Presidential Suite Reception from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Located at The Prairie Meadows Convention Center Contact Us at 515.270.0130 or admin@iafda.org with any comments or questions. If you are a Newly Licensed Funeral Director and are in need of ad...

03/11/2026

To the dedicated funeral directors and morticians, we express our gratitude for your unrelenting commitment to serving others with compassion, empathy, and unwavering dedication during life's most difficult moments, and we honor the remarkable devotion that defines your daily work.

02/04/2026

We invite you to join us for the 2026 IFDA Convention, taking place April 13–16, 2026!🎉

Our annual IFDA convention features our Midwest Premiere Expo, where you can connect with leading vendors and explore the latest products and services in our industry. Attendees will also have the opportunity to earn continuing education credits by participating in a variety of featured speaker sessions designed to inform, inspire, and support professional growth.

We look forward to welcoming you for several days of learning, networking, and collaboration with colleagues from across the association.

Please click the link below for additional details and registration information. The full event schedule will be available soon.

REGISTER HERE: https://iafda.org/2026-convention-registration/

01/17/2026

The internet is down at the office which also means the phone lines. If you have immediate needs you can email admin@iafda.org and I will be able to get the notifications from my phone. We hope to have this resolved this weekend and will update when it has been taken care of. Thank you for your patience. - Danielle

01/16/2026

IFDA is pleased to share that David Iles has been promoted to General Manager of Iles Funeral Home.

David’s leadership, professionalism, and commitment to serving families with care and integrity reflect the values of our profession. His experience and dedication have played an important role in the success of his firm, and we are confident he will continue to lead with excellence in this new role.

Please join us in congratulating David on this well-deserved promotion and in wishing him continued success.

01/16/2026

Congratulations to John Wild of Iles Funeral Home on his well-earned retirement. Thank you for a career marked by dedication, compassion, and unwavering service to funeral service and the families you have supported over the years. Your commitment has made a meaningful difference in countless lives, and your professionalism and care have left a lasting impact on our profession. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter!

The IFDA Team

12/30/2025

Do you have Mortuary Science textbooks that are no longer in use? 📚

While students can get their books digitally, many students prefer to have physical books. Consider donating your gently used textbooks to support incoming students as they begin their education and professional endeavors! Your books can make a real difference for the next generation of funeral service professionals.

✔️ Textbooks published within the last 3 years
✔️ Schools Supported: DMACC, Worsham, Cincinnati, Kansas City & Dallas + More to Come!

📍 Drop off your textbooks at the IFDA Office
📞 Call 515.270.0130 for other delivery options