Timothy Copeland, MS - NFDA Trainer & National Speaker

09/18/2026

Another great stop for the NFDA Cremation Certification Program!
This week I had the opportunity to spend the day with the Funeral Service Program at Milwaukee Area Technical College, presenting the NFDA Cremation Certification Program (CCP).
One of the things I enjoy most about presenting the CCP is the opportunity to connect with future funeral service professionals. The students at MATC brought great energy, thoughtful questions, and a genuine willingness to engage in conversations about cremation, professional responsibility, and the important role they will soon play in serving families.
My sincere thanks to Program Director Gabe Schauf and Instructor Kelly Monroe for welcoming me to MATC and for their support of NFDA and the CCP. It is always encouraging to see educators who are so committed to creating meaningful learning opportunities for their students and preparing them for the realities of funeral service.
And, of course, thank you to all of the students and other participants who joined us. Your participation made the program much more than a day of instruction—you made it a day of conversation, connection, and shared learning.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to visit programs like MATC and spend time with the next generation of funeral service professionals. Thank you for making me feel so welcome!

09/18/2026

On September 9, I had the real pleasure of sharing the NFDA Cremation Certification Program (CCP) at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, South Carolina. What a fantastic day that was! I genuinely appreciate everyone—students and attendees alike—who took the time to join me. Your active participation, insightful questions, and enthusiastic engagement truly made the day memorable. These programs shine brightest when they become conversations, and this group certainly made that happen. A heartfelt thank you to Dedrick Gantt, Program Director of Funeral Service Education, for being such a warm and welcoming host, and for your ongoing support of NFDA. Dedrick’s continual efforts to bring NFDA back to Piedmont Technical College each year really show his deep dedication to funeral service education and to preparing the future generation of professionals. It’s always a pleasure to connect with students and professionals who are truly passionate about learning, growth, and serving families with care. Thank you, Dedrick, Piedmont Technical College, and everyone who participated for making September 9th such a special and memorable day. I’m already excited about the next opportunity to come together!
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09/03/2026

What a great day at Brightpoint Community College in Chester, Virginia!

Last Thursday, August 27, I had the opportunity to bring the NFDA Cremation Certification Program (CCP) to Brightpoint—and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of participants.

The energy, questions, conversation, and engagement throughout the day were terrific. One of my favorite parts of teaching the CCP is spending time with funeral service professionals and students who genuinely want to learn, share their experiences, and become even better at what they do.

A big thank you to everyone at Brightpoint Community College for welcoming me and NFDA so warmly. The hospitality was wonderful, and the participants were simply outstanding!

Another great CCP, another great group of people, and another reminder of just how fortunate I am to do this work.

Thank you, Brightpoint! I had a great time in Virginia!

09/03/2026

On August 20 and 21, I had the pleasure of leading another NFDA Cremation Certification Program (CCP)—this time virtually—and what a great group of people joined us!

One thing I continue to appreciate about teaching the CCP is the people I get to meet along the way. Even through a computer screen, this group brought great questions, conversation, engagement, and enthusiasm to our time together. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the two days such an enjoyable experience.

I also want to give a very special thank you to Nicole Krause. Nicole, your support, encouragement, and friendship mean more to me than you probably realize. Having great people beside you makes the work that much more rewarding.

I am truly blessed to do work I care so deeply about—and even more blessed to do it alongside such wonderful people.

Thank you to everyone who joined us August 20–21. I hope you took as much away from our time together as I did!

08/19/2026

If you're inclined, there's still time to sign up and get in!!

Seminar fee includes CCP manual, seminar presentation, continental breakfast and lunch, exam and scoring, CE processing and certificate.

07/28/2026

What a privilege it was to spend the day at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS), representing the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and presenting the NFDA Cremation Certificate Program.
From the moment I arrived, I was met with tremendous hospitality, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to educating the next generation of funeral service professionals. My sincere thanks to Dr. Barry Lease, President and Chief Executive Officer, for his leadership, vision, and gracious welcome.
I am especially grateful to the faculty and staff members I had the pleasure of meeting:
• Dean Michael S. Burns, Dean of Faculty and Students
• Katelynn Schooley
• Nick Ricci
• Patrick McGowan
• Cecilia Obermeier
• Annie L. Cerutti
Each of you exemplifies the dedication and passion that make PIMS such an exceptional institution. While I wasn't fortunate enough to meet everyone on campus, it was immediately apparent that the professionalism, warmth, and commitment I experienced are woven throughout the entire PIMS community. The culture of excellence is unmistakable, and I have no doubt that every member of the faculty and staff shares in that commitment to serving students and our profession.
And, of course, I would be remiss if I didn't recognize the school's most beloved team member—Winifred "Winnie" Valentine, Director of Love and Emotional Support for Students. Winnie reminded all of us that sometimes the greatest lessons in compassion come on four paws.
It was an honor to spend time with both students and funeral professionals discussing cremation protocols, ethics, family engagement, risk reduction, and the importance of continuing education. These conversations strengthen our profession and ultimately benefit the families and communities we are privileged to serve.
A special thank you to the PIMS team for the wonderful feature on Instagram. The video captured the enthusiasm of the day and, more importantly, the passion we all share for advancing cremation education and professional excellence. I truly appreciate the care and creativity that went into highlighting the program and our shared commitment to raising the standard of funeral service.
🎥 Their post can be viewed here:
https://lnkd.in/ggWwCvPh
Thank you again to everyone at PIMS for making me feel so welcome. I look forward to returning and continuing our partnership as we invest in the future of funeral service education.
Please tag:
Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS)
Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Barry Lease
S. Burns
Obermeier
L. Cerutti
Schooley
Ricci
McGowan

07/13/2026

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Birmingham—and the state of Alabama—for the very first time. What a wonderful introduction it was!
Jefferson State Community College hosted an outstanding day of learning that brought together funeral professionals for two educational opportunities. Many attended a four-hour NFDA Cremation Certificate Program Refresher, while others completed the full NFDA Cremation Certificate Program as they worked toward earning their Certified Crematory Operator (CCO) designation.
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Jzyk Ennis and the Jefferson State faculty, especially Michelle Beasley, for their incredible hospitality. The genuine Southern warmth and kindness made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived. It was clear how committed they are to providing exceptional education for the funeral profession.
The students and professionals were highly engaged throughout the day, asking thoughtful questions and contributing to meaningful discussions. Their enthusiasm for learning and commitment to serving families with excellence made the experience especially rewarding.
I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to Charles Perine, Executive Director of the Alabama Board of Funeral Service. Charles shared his wisdom, experience, and unwavering conviction to continually strengthen our profession. His leadership and dedication to raising standards in funeral service are truly appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make my first visit to Alabama such a memorable one. I look forward to returning to Jefferson State Community College next year and continuing our shared commitment to excellence in funeral service education. certificateprogram

06/02/2026

I just returned from a trip to American Crematory Equipment in Cypress, California, where I had the pleasure of visiting and spending time with Mike Burwell, CEO, Drew Osberg, COO, and the entire outstanding team.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to American Crematory Equipment for the invitation, for hosting me, and for making me feel at home. More importantly, I want to welcome them to the Cremation Certificate Program as our newest sponsor. Thank you for supporting NFDA and our upper-level educational goals.
Partnerships like these help strengthen education, advance professional standards, and support those working in cremation and funeral service every day.
It is truly a pleasure to welcome American Crematory Equipment as a program sponsor and to work alongside an organization that shares a commitment to excellence, innovation, and service.
Thank you, Mike, Drew, and the entire ACE team, for your hospitality, your dedication to our profession, and your ongoing support of cremation education. I look forward to continuing our work together.

05/26/2026

Another outstanding day with the NFDA Cremation Certificate Program on May 20 at Wayne State University’s Mortuary Science Program in Detroit.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who participated — from the students joining us both in the classroom and from home, to the funeral professionals who traveled significant distances to attend and further their education in cremation and funeral service. Your commitment to learning, growth, and serving families with excellence continues to inspire me.
A special thank you as well to Wayne State University and Nathan Skelton for once again being such gracious and welcoming hosts. The partnership, hospitality, and dedication to education truly make these programs meaningful and successful.
It was a privilege to spend the day learning, discussing, and growing together with such an engaged group of professionals and future professionals. We even had a moment to get in a FIRE DRILL, a first for me!!

05/12/2026

It was a pleasure spending time in the beautiful town of Oneonta, New York, presenting to the Leatherstocking Funeral Directors Association on such a wonderful day in the heart of New York State.
One of the things I value most about my role as trainer with the National Funeral Directors Association is the opportunity to share that our educational outreach extends far beyond any one program or certification. While many know me through the Cremation Certificate Program, this visit focused on several deeply important and timely conversations within funeral service:
• Mindfulness and Funeral Directors
• Su***de Survivors
• Ethics and Communication in Funeral Service
The engagement from the group was exceptional. The discussions were thoughtful, interactive, and filled with professionals who were genuinely willing to explore new perspectives and challenging topics that impact both funeral directors and the families we serve.
Days like this are a reminder that continuing education is not simply about meeting requirements—it is about strengthening ourselves, supporting one another, and continuing to evolve as compassionate professionals.
Thank you again to everyone at the Leatherstocking Funeral Directors Association for the warm welcome, meaningful conversations, and dedication to learning.
***deAwareness