WETHERSFIELD— Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) has extended its application deadline for its new scholarship program for Connecticut high school seniors who plan to pursue careers as funeral directors. The new due date for submission of applications is Monday, June 15, 2020. The initial deadline was April 10.

“The Connecticut Funeral Directors Association created this new scholarship program earlier this year to encourage young people to consider careers in funeral service, helping to ensure that there will be qualified professionally educated and trained funeral directors in the future,” says John F. Cascio, CFDA’s Executive Director. “Our statewide professional organization will award three (3) graduating high school seniors with $500 in scholarship funds to be used toward their education and professional training in funeral service.”

“Now, more than ever, funeral directors are proud to serve families and individuals during their most difficult times, and we want to support young people who also want to provide this expertise, care, and service,” explains Alexander J. Scott, CFSP, CPC, CCSP, a licensed funeral director and the President of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association. “With the last few months being extremely difficult and stressful for everyone, we are concerned that many students could have missed our initial application deadline, so we have extended the process through June 15.”

All funeral directors/embalmers in the State of Connecticut are licensed. Licensure requirements include a degree in mortuary science or funeral service from an accredited college or university, successful completion of the National Conference Board Examination, and a one-year apprenticeship under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director/embalmer. The Connecticut Funeral Directors Association works closely with the Funeral Service Program at East Hartford’s Goodwin University, one of many in the US that has this type of program. The Connecticut Funeral Directors Association’s members offer professional guidance and career opportunities for the school’s students and faculty.

To be eligible for the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association’s scholarship funds award for high school seniors pursuing careers in funeral service, candidates must meet the following criteria:

*Be a high school senior who will graduate in June 2020;

*Be a legal resident of the State of Connecticut;

*Be pursuing a career as a funeral director; and

*Have maintained at least a B grade point average in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

All candidates must submit the application form and a current high school transcript and an essay responding to the question: Why are You Pursuing a Career as a Funeral Director? The application form must be neat and legible, and filled out completely.

The new deadline for applications for the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association’s “Family Support Services Scholarship” program is Monday, June 15, 2020. To download an application and get contest rules, go to www.ctfda.org. To ask questions about this scholarship program and request an application to be mailed, call the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) at 860-721-0234 or 800-919-2332.

The 131-year-old Connecticut Funeral Directors Association is comprised of funeral directors at more than 220 funeral homes. Based in Wethersfield, Conn., the professional organization is committed to the promotion and advocacy of high ethical standards in funeral service.