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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Bursi Phone: (877) 402-5900 13625 Bishop’s Dr. Brookfield, WI 53005 jbursi@funeralservicefoundation.org Funeral Service Foundation Invests $82,500 in Future Funeral Service Professionals Spring 2026 Academic Scholarships Awarded to 27 Students Across North America CANA Scholarship in the News! Read about the Spring 2026 awardee of the CANA/Jack Springer scholarship below. BROOKFIELD, WI— Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the Funeral Service Foundation awarded 27 academic scholarships this spring totaling $82,500 to students across North America – including two scholarships awarded to military veterans through the Journey to Serve initiative. Since awarding its first academic scholarship in 2002, the Foundation has expanded its program to include multiple named scholarships that honor and memorialize influential funeral service professionals and organizations. The Foundation’s academic scholarship program supports students enrolled in accredited funeral service programs across the United States and Canada. This spring’s class reflects the breadth of people drawn to this profession: career changers, legacy families, parents returning to school and veterans transitioning to civilian service. “These scholarships represent more than financial support,” said Jeff Smith, chair of the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees. “They are a statement of belief in the next generation of funeral service professionals. Every one of these students has made a meaningful commitment to serving families at their most difficult moments, and we are honored to invest in their futures.” The Foundation's academic scholarship program runs in two annual cycles — spring and fall. The next academic scholarship application window opens September 15 and closes November 1. The Foundation also provides scholarships for funeral service professionals throughout their careers. Applications for NFDA International Convention & Expo scholarships open June 2 and close July 23. Academic Scholarship Spring Class of 2026: Foundation '45 Scholarship | $5,000 Holly Burlin, Port Deposit, Maryland (Community College of Baltimore County-Catonsville – Mortuary Science Program) Alex Chau, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service) James Nixon, Tifton, Georgia (Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service) Natasha Rivard-Morton, North Vancouver, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service) Aaron Ulrich, Baltic, Ohio (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science) APFSP/Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Zoe Bates, Clifton, Illinois (Wayne State University – Mortuary Science Program) John Carmon Scholarship | $2,500 Courtney Burke, Hanover, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science) CANA/Jack Springer Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Christina Andreola, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service) Foundation '45 Scholarship | $2,500 Leanna Hill, Tsawwassen, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service) Funeral Directors Life Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Cynthia Lorie Newman, Pembroke, Georgia (Ogeechee Technical College) Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Adeline Thornton, Painesville, Ohio (Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science) Bob Horn Scholarship | $2,500 Mia McAninch, Toledo, Ohio (Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science) Mark Hornibrook Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Funded by a generous grant from NGL Insurance Company Jori Melius, St. Louis Park, Minnesota (University of Minnesota – Program of Mortuary Science) Sara Racher, Picture Butte, Alberta (Canadian College of Funeral Service) Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 MarTeze Hammonds, Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee (John A. Gupton College – Funeral Service Programs) Steve Lang Scholarship (Homesteaders) | $2,500 Funded by a generous grant from Homesteaders Life Company Mykal Thomas, Atlanta, Georgia (Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service) Steve Mack Scholarship (Homesteaders) | $2,500 Sommer Neugebauer, New York, New York (American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education) Memorial Classic Scholarship | $2,500 Tyler Aspinwall, Screven, Georgia (Ogeechee Technical College) Alison Kadlec, Olivia, Minnesota (University of Minnesota – Program of Mortuary Science) Amy McCharles, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Mount Royal University) Harry Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Funded by a generous grant from NGL Insurance Company Aizlyn Green, Bucyrus, Ohio (Wayne State University – Mortuary Science Program) Kacy Tripido, Pine Bush New York (State University of New York at Canton-Funeral Services Administration Program) Louis & Josephine Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Tamara White, Walker, Missouri (Kansas City Kansas Community College-Mortuary Science Department) Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Kyle Gooch, Havre, Montana (Cape Cod Community College – Funeral Service Program) Todd Van Beck Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Cara Delgado, Chino Hills, California (Cypress College – Mortuary Science Department) Academic Scholarship for Veterans: The Funeral Service Foundation, in partnership with the ICCFA Educational Foundation, offers academic scholarships to United States and Canadian military veterans, as part of the Journey to Serve initiative. Offered twice a year, scholarships range from $2,500-$5,000 and are available to military veterans who are 18 years of age or older at the time of application and who are currently enrolled (or accepted into) in an ABFSE-accredited funeral service program. Learn more about the Journey to Serve at www.JourneyToServe.com. Journey to Serve Scholarship | $5,000 Ezell Harris, Rochester, New York (American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education) Hunter M. Harbeson Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Kenneth Johnson, Chicago, Illinois (Worsham College of Mortuary Science) In Their Words: In their own words, scholarship recipients express what this support means to them as they prepare to serve their communities through funeral service. “My passion has always been in providing families — both biological and chosen — with an opportunity to still gather, remember the person who has died and create a meaningful memorial service, no matter the method of disposition. I am so relieved and grateful to have this financial support as I continue building toward that vision.” Christina Andreola, CANA/Jack Springer Scholar “I changed my path to funeral service because I want to be there for families during difficult times. This support not only helps me financially but also gives me confidence to keep going. I will do my best to grow and serve others well into the future.” Alex Chau, Foundation ‘45 Scholar “It’s unfortunate, but it’s simply the hard truth of going back to school as an older adult… This scholarship is so much more than a ‘help’ or a ‘stepping stone’ toward completing the program. It is a huge sigh of financial relief for me as an older student as I pursue this associate degree in Funeral Directing.” Cynthia Lorie Newman, Funeral Directors Life Memorial Scholar “Funeral service has been part of my life for as long as I can remember… This profession helped shape who I am long before I formally chose it as a career path — and your support is helping preserve a legacy of service that began long before me and will continue long after me.” James Nixon, Foundation ’45 Scholar “Changing careers in today’s financial climate is stressful, and constantly planning where the next payment will come from takes real energy away from learning… After fifteen years in social services, stepping into this new chapter takes courage, and your support gives me the room to step forward with steadier footing.” Natasha Rivard-Morton, Foundation ‘45 Classic Scholar FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP OPENING SOON: NFDA International Convention & Expo Applications Open June 2 – July 23 LINKS Academic Scholarship Information Page + Photos of Scholars: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/scholarship-opportunities/academic-scholarships/ ABOUT THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOUNDATION Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Bursi Phone: (877) 402-5900 13625 Bishop’s Dr. Brookfield, WI 53005 jbursi@funeralservicefoundation.org
Funeral Service Foundation Invests $82,500 in Future Funeral Service Professionals Spring 2026 Academic Scholarships Awarded to 27 Students Across North America
CANA Scholarship in the News! Read about the Spring 2026 awardee of the CANA/Jack Springer scholarship below.
BROOKFIELD, WI— Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the Funeral Service Foundation awarded 27 academic scholarships this spring totaling $82,500 to students across North America – including two scholarships awarded to military veterans through the Journey to Serve initiative. Since awarding its first academic scholarship in 2002, the Foundation has expanded its program to include multiple named scholarships that honor and memorialize influential funeral service professionals and organizations.
The Foundation’s academic scholarship program supports students enrolled in accredited funeral service programs across the United States and Canada. This spring’s class reflects the breadth of people drawn to this profession: career changers, legacy families, parents returning to school and veterans transitioning to civilian service.
“These scholarships represent more than financial support,” said Jeff Smith, chair of the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees. “They are a statement of belief in the next generation of funeral service professionals. Every one of these students has made a meaningful commitment to serving families at their most difficult moments, and we are honored to invest in their futures.”
The Foundation's academic scholarship program runs in two annual cycles — spring and fall. The next academic scholarship application window opens September 15 and closes November 1. The Foundation also provides scholarships for funeral service professionals throughout their careers. Applications for NFDA International Convention & Expo scholarships open June 2 and close July 23.
Academic Scholarship Spring Class of 2026:
Foundation '45 Scholarship | $5,000
APFSP/Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
John Carmon Scholarship | $2,500
CANA/Jack Springer Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
Foundation '45 Scholarship | $2,500
Funeral Directors Life Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
Bob Horn Scholarship | $2,500
Mark Hornibrook Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Funded by a generous grant from NGL Insurance Company
Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
Steve Lang Scholarship (Homesteaders) | $2,500 Funded by a generous grant from Homesteaders Life Company
Steve Mack Scholarship (Homesteaders) | $2,500
Memorial Classic Scholarship | $2,500
Harry Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500 Funded by a generous grant from NGL Insurance Company
Louis & Josephine Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
Todd Van Beck Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
Academic Scholarship for Veterans:
The Funeral Service Foundation, in partnership with the ICCFA Educational Foundation, offers academic scholarships to United States and Canadian military veterans, as part of the Journey to Serve initiative. Offered twice a year, scholarships range from $2,500-$5,000 and are available to military veterans who are 18 years of age or older at the time of application and who are currently enrolled (or accepted into) in an ABFSE-accredited funeral service program. Learn more about the Journey to Serve at www.JourneyToServe.com.
Journey to Serve Scholarship | $5,000
Hunter M. Harbeson Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
In Their Words: In their own words, scholarship recipients express what this support means to them as they prepare to serve their communities through funeral service.
“My passion has always been in providing families — both biological and chosen — with an opportunity to still gather, remember the person who has died and create a meaningful memorial service, no matter the method of disposition. I am so relieved and grateful to have this financial support as I continue building toward that vision.”
“I changed my path to funeral service because I want to be there for families during difficult times. This support not only helps me financially but also gives me confidence to keep going. I will do my best to grow and serve others well into the future.”
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s simply the hard truth of going back to school as an older adult… This scholarship is so much more than a ‘help’ or a ‘stepping stone’ toward completing the program. It is a huge sigh of financial relief for me as an older student as I pursue this associate degree in Funeral Directing.”
“Funeral service has been part of my life for as long as I can remember… This profession helped shape who I am long before I formally chose it as a career path — and your support is helping preserve a legacy of service that began long before me and will continue long after me.”
“Changing careers in today’s financial climate is stressful, and constantly planning where the next payment will come from takes real energy away from learning… After fifteen years in social services, stepping into this new chapter takes courage, and your support gives me the room to step forward with steadier footing.”
FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP OPENING SOON:
LINKS
Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.