Iowa Funeral Directors Association

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

12/30/2025

The IFDA is proud to announce that the Suit Closet Donation Program is now accepting both male and female suits to support Mortuary Science students, interns, and newly licensed funeral directors through April 1, 2026! 🎉

If you live nearby we encourage you to drop off your suits to the IFDA office otherwise contact us at admin@iafda.org or 515.270.0130 for other delivery options. All sizes and styles are welcome and appreciated.

Your contribution and all other suit donations will be available at the IFDA Annual Convention this year on April 13-16th. Your donation is greatly appreciated and we thank you for your contribution to help others!

12/24/2025

The IFDA office will be closed December 25th & 26th, and Jan 1st & 2nd. If you are a member and need assistance during the holidays, please email us and one of us will get back to you. If you are traveling, we wish you safe travels. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year. ☃️🎄❄️🎅

11/26/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

In a world that often shies away from conversations about death, there exists a group of professionals who walk directly toward it not out of obligation, but out of compassion. Funeral directors are among the quiet heroes of our communities, offering guidance, dignity, and care during life’s hardest moments. This Thanksgiving season and every season we have so much to be thankful for in them.

When families are facing loss, funeral directors step in to carry burdens that few could bear. They manage the countless unseen details: coordinating services, preparing loved ones for viewing, handling legal paperwork, and ensuring every ceremony feels personal and meaningful. Behind every calm, organized service lies hours of emotional labor work that helps families begin healing.

Funeral directors often meet people at their most vulnerable. They don’t just plan funerals; they create space for love, grief, and remembrance. That requires an extraordinary blend of professionalism and empathy.

It’s not just about logistics it’s about presence. Funeral directors are the steady hands when some stumbles, the calm voices when emotions run high, the ones who gently say, “I’ll take care of that for you.”

For many, this calling is more than a job. It’s a ministry. It demands emotional strength, compassion, and the ability to balance sensitivity with structure. Each day, funeral directors walk alongside pain while quietly ensuring every goodbye is handled with grace.

The world rarely sees the midnight calls, the emotional exhaustion, or the way funeral directors quietly absorb others’ pain while managing their own. Yet, they continue to show up for every family, every story, every farewell. Their work isn’t celebrated enough, but its impact is profound.

When we pause to give thanks, we should remember those who make it possible for others to say goodbye with peace. Funeral directors embody service, compassion, and resilience qualities that deserve recognition and deep gratitude.

To every funeral professional who shows up day after day for families in their darkest hours: thank you. Thank you for your calm presence, your steady heart, and your unwavering dedication to helping others find comfort in loss. Your kindness leaves an indelible mark on every life you touch. We are grateful to work with you!

In observance of the holiday the IFDA office will be Closed November 27th.

The IFDA Staff

11/13/2025

OSHA compliance is critical for funeral homes, but finding the time for required training can be difficult. Our new online OSHA training program provides high-quality, funeral home specific courses with the flexibility for staff to learn on their own schedule. Enrollment will be for the full package of five classes, ensuring both value and simplicity for participants.

INITIAL COURSE OFFERINGS
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Formaldehyde
- Hazard Communication
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Respiratory Protection

PROGRAM DETAILS
- Registration Window: November 13 - December 31 (next year the registration will open earlier)
- Access Period: December 1, 2025 - December 1, 2026
- Renewal: Annual renewal options available for continuing compliance
- Format: 100% online, self-paced, accessible anytime
- Designed For: Funeral home staff, managers, and owners

Association Cost for 5 classes
400+ enrollers $35/person members and $60/person non-members

The classes will be offered as packages, allowing for streamlined enrollment and easy access.

To register for the OSHA class please use the link below.

OPEN REGISTRATION - November 13, 2025- December 13, 2025 Bloodborne Pathogens, Formaldehyde, PPE, Respiratory Protection, Hazard Communication. All classes are recorded with a quiz provided. Course availability will begin December 1 and will be available until November 30, 2026

11/11/2025

On this Veterans Day, we pause to honor and thank our courageous veterans—for their service, their sacrifice, and their unwavering commitment to our country. Their dedication has helped preserve the freedoms we all cherish, and we are deeply grateful.

Whether you served at home or abroad, in times of peace or conflict, your contributions have made a lasting impact. Today and every day, we salute you.

To our valued IFDA members and all who have served—Thank You.