National Home Funeral Alliance
Supporting Home Funeral Education
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Despite the rise in professional death care, it is and has always been legal in every state for families to care for their own loved ones at home from death to final disposition. In fact, up until the latter part of the 19th century, funerals were family, church, and community-centered affairs. The family washed and laid out the body, dressed or draped it, often with the help of a birth midwife and church members. Today there is renewed interest in reclaiming this right and privilege in ways that bring meaning and comfort to all.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
National Home Funeral Alliance
The NHFA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all-volunteer organization that is the leading body of home after after-death care support and education in the US. Created in 2010, our members come from all 50 states, five provinces, and seven countries. Many of us are home funeral guides who also identify as licensed funeral directors, ordained ministers, educators, body workers, licensed social workers, registered nurses, therapists and counselors, directors of nonprofits, attorneys and physicians. Many simply want to support the movement from institutionalized care back to family care of our own dead.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The NHFA is working to reintegrate home funerals into American culture; stepping back from sterile, institutionalized death care, and acknowledging the innate rights of families and communities to care for their own dead in a personal, respectful, and environmentally sound manner.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Throughout the history of the NHFA, our organization has been deeply rooted in community-based action, sharing resources, forging connections with other kindred organizations, and trading wisdom. It is this ever-expanding spider web of connections that allows us to act locally, but with a national reach.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have created and sustain a robust network of ethical, responsible and knowledgeable Home Funeral Guides whose primary focus is to educate communities and empower family members to shape and direct the after death care of their loved one as supported by state law.
Additionally, the NHFA recommends standards of practice that inform its members’ personal conduct and provide clear direction for the correct and ethical behavior of Home Funeral Guides in service to those choosing family-directed funerals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since its inception in 2010, the NHFA has grown in leaps and bounds. Here are just a few highlights:
- The NHFA has produced a full library of self-published, engaging, easily digestible, and uplifting educational materials covering a range of home funeral care topics.
- A well-attended, sponsor-supported biennial conference addressing home funeral care and its role in the modern world.
- Counseled hundreds of families across the country; aiding them in actualizing a home funeral honoring their loved one.
The project pipeline in 2019 presents a greater breadth of programming, including a new podcast, innovative video content, and an online portal for members on the NHFA website.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
National Home Funeral Alliance
Board of directorsas of 11/15/2018
Sarah Crews
Dani LaVoire
Advocacy
Angie Ward
Advocacy; Finance
Kim Adams
Events
Tim Howell
Communications
Barbara Trites
Membership
Anna Benton
Communications; Membership
Jannika Coons
Communications; Fundraising
Susan Coffee
Fundraising
Board leadership practices
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes