Fun Photos from the NFDA Convention & Expo

Oct 22, 2015 | 0 comments

The expo at the National Funeral Directors Association convention, the largest funeral expo in the world, is colorful, unpredictable and an amazing collection of all things funereal. Here are a few fun photos from the event – blog posts on specific items of interest to come!

The convention started with an opening reception on Sunday evening at the Indiana Museum. Downtown Indianapolis was flooded with Colts fans attending the big game that night, playing against the New England Patriots. This guy, Super Fan, was hailed by the locals as anticipation built for the game. The Patriots won.

The Colts Super Fan

The Colts Super Fan is well known for his dressing-up antics for each home game.

Inside the Indianapolis Convention Center, this beautiful early automobile hearse had an Indiana license plate from 1912.

Old White Hearse

This hearse is circa 1912 and in beautiful condition.

Since the convention took place at the site of the famed Indianapolis 500 race, many of the booths had an automobile racing theme. The booths for the newly-merged industry giants Matthews Aurora were impressively decked out. Here, a huge electric car race track attracted attendees and gave them a fun activity to keep them there.

The Matthews Aurora race track

The Matthews Aurora race track at one of their booths.

A close up of the detail – check out the miniature people in the stands!

Matthews Aurora race track stand

Matthews Aurora race track stand.

A number of booths were devoted to men’s clothing. Since funeral directors need to look their best, tailors offered made-to-order suits, taking measurements right on the spot. There were booths with shirts and accessories, and one booth had just ties. The gentleman holding a handful of ties, John Herr, Jr., with Herr-Riggs Funeral Home in Middleton, Ohio, said, “I go through ties like some people go through underwear.”

John Herr Jr. with ties

John Herr Jr. with ties.

Tuesday was Wear Pink Day, to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Even the Living Statue Guy at Astral Industries’ booth was decked out in pink.

Astral Living Statue in Pink

Astral Industries’ Living Statue Guy in Pink.

At long last, The Doyenne of Death (yours truly) meets Ask a Mortician Caitlin Doughty in person! We’ve spoken numerous times, including on A Good Goodbye Radio. She’s the author of the NY Times bestseller, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons From the Crematory and attended courtesy of the fine folks at Qeepr.

Gail Rubin and Caitlin Doughty

Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death, and Caitlin Doughty, Ask a Mortician star and founder of The Order of the Good Death.

More to come soon on caskets, urns, disposition methods, clothing the dead, and stuff you wouldn’t believe!

 

A Good Goodbye