Become a GFDA Member
Stronger Together. Advancing Our Profession
An Invitation to Be Part of Something Bigger
Dear Funeral Service Professional,
In funeral service, we dedicate our lives to caring for others. We stand beside families during their most difficult moments, honor the lives of those they love, and carry on traditions that have shaped our profession for generations.
But who is standing beside us? For more than 127 years, the Georgia Funeral Directors Association (GFDA) has been doing just that.
As Georgia’s oldest and largest funeral service association, GFDA is dedicated to protecting, promoting, and strengthening our profession while providing funeral service professionals with the resources, education, and relationships they need to succeed.
Whether you operate a family-owned funeral home, work for a larger firm, or are beginning your career in funeral service as an individual, we believe and know there is a place for you within GFDA.
Why Become a GFDA Member?
Membership is more than having your name on a roster. It is an investment in yourself, your business, your professional development, and the future of funeral service in Georgia. As a member, you can take advantage of:
- A Stronger Voice for Our Profession: Legislative advocacy, regulatory updates, and representation on issues that directly affect funeral service in Georgia.
- Affordable Continuing Education: More than 18 hours of continuing education offered annually through GFDA events, with discounted registration for members.
- Meaningful Connections: Opportunities to network, learn from one another, and build friendships with funeral service professionals from across the state.
- Important Industry Information: Legislative reports, regulatory updates, business resources, member news, job opportunities, and timely announcements delivered directly to your inbox.
- Greater Visibility for Your Firm: A listing in GFDA’s online membership directory, including your firm’s contact information and a direct link to your website.
- Additional Member Resources: Access to purchase NFDA music and music webcasting licenses through GFDA, Georgia’s only NFDA state-affiliated association.
More Than Meetings. More Than Membership.
Throughout the year, GFDA brings funeral service professionals together through educational programs, networking opportunities, and events designed to strengthen our industry.
In 2027, we look forward to the Southeastern Funeral Service Summit, Spring Social, Annual Summer Convention, and District Meetings.
These gatherings are about more than earning continuing education hours. They are about sharing experiences, learning from one another, building relationships, and reminding ourselves that we are part of a profession that is stronger when we stand together.
A Special Invitation to Join for 2027! From November 1–30, 2026, GFDA is offering a 5% discount on 2027 membership dues.
This is a wonderful opportunity to become part of an association dedicated to supporting you and your business.
As GFDA President, I believe our future depends on bringing funeral service professionals together, welcoming new ideas and generations, and continuing to build upon the foundation established by those who came before us.
We may serve different communities, operate different types of firms, and have different experiences, but we share a common purpose: serving families with dignity, compassion, and professionalism.
I would personally like to invite you to become part of the GFDA family. Your voice, your experience, and your involvement can help shape the future of funeral service in Georgia.
Please complete and return the applicable membership application in the drop down window(s) below to the GFDA office. We would be honored to welcome you and hope to see you at one of our upcoming events!
Sincerely,
Casey Brannen-Strickland
President, Georgia Funeral Directors Association
Brannen Family Funeral Services
Glennville, Georgia
For membership forms, open the drop down windows below.
Use one form per firm location, supplier representative, individual member, student member, or retired member.
**November 1–30, 2026, GFDA is offering a 5% discount on 2027 membership dues.**
Firm Member - Funeral Establishments
Any funeral establishment holding a current license issued from a state licensing agency is eligible for Firm Membership in this Association. Firm Members shall have voting privileges in the Association, by either open or secret ballot, but no Firm Member shall be entitled to vote by proxy.
All votes made by a Firm Member shall be cast by the Associate Member who has been designated by the Firm Member as its authorized representative. Each Firm Member is entitled to one vote on matters coming before the membership. Each person on record as the firm's representative shall hold a current funeral directors license.
2027 FIRM MEMBERSHIP FORM**One form per funeral home location**
Associate Member
If you are employed by a Member Firm, you are already an Associate Member. Your funeral home will send us your name each year and you will receive your membership card. No separate membership or form is required.
Associate Members: All funeral directors and embalmers who are duly licensed under the laws of the State of Georgia and who own or are employed by a Firm Member shall be recognized as an Associate Member and shall be entitled to receive those benefits that the Association makes available to such Associate Members. Associate Members shall not be entitled to vote, but may speak on the floor of the annual conference. Associate members may hold office and serve on committees. If an Associate Member no longer owns or is no longer employed by a Firm Member, the Associate Membership shall immediately terminate. If they move to a different member firm, they are also members there. Otherwise, they may join under the Individual Member category.
Affiliate Member - Sales, Manufacturers, Affiliated Industries
Any funeral supply salespersons, manufacturers, representatives, or allied industry representatives cooperating with the funeral service profession in Georgia shall be eligible for Affiliate Membership in this Association. Affiliate Members shall not be entitled to vote or hold office, but may speak on the floor of the Annual Conference. Only Affiliate Members whose dues are in good standing will be eligible to attend District Meetings and the Annual Conference of this Association.
2027 AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP FORM**One form per supplier representative**
Individual Member
Any funeral director or embalmer who is duly licensed and neither owns nor is employed by a licensed funeral establishment shall be eligible for Individual Membership in this Association. Individual Members shall not be entitled to vote or hold office, but may speak on the floor of the Annual Conference. Only Individual Members whose dues are in good standing will be eligible to attend the District Meeting and the Annual Conference of this Association.
Student, Retired, Honorary Members
No membership fee is required; however, we do ask Retired, Honorary, and Students to return forms to ensure the accuracy of our records and for the indication they wish to continue their membership.
Student Members: Any mortuary school student or apprentice registered with the State of Georgia shall be eligible for Student Membership in this Association. Student Members shall not be entitled to vote or hold office, but may speak on the floor of the Annual Conference. Student Member privileges shall terminate upon such student's completion of the requisite education program or period of apprenticeship.
Retired Members: Any Affiliate or Associate Member who has retired from active employment shall be eligible for Retired Membership in this Association. Retired Members shall not be entitled to vote or hold office, but may speak on the floor of the Annual Conference.
Honorary Members: Any person, upon recommendation of the Membership Committee, who has been an Associate or Affiliate Member of this Association for a period of no less than five years, or any other person who has rendered distinguished service to this Association or to the general good of the funeral service profession, may be eligible for Honorary Membership in this Association, if nominated and given favorable consideration by two-thirds of the Firm Members present at the Annual Conference. Honorary Members shall not be entitled to vote or hold office, but may speak on the floor of the Annual Conference. Honorary members should keep their contact information up to date, but do not need to register each year as their appointment is lifetime.
