7th NHFA Biennial Conference October 4-6, 2019 Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Center Chaska, Minnesota
Conference Registration is Now Closed!
Our 2019 Conference is dedicated to blending the work of the head, the hands, and the heart, in the realm of the home funeral. We will explore the spirituality inherent in our work. We will share art and ritual, learning how to better express and confront the intense emotions surrounding after-death care.
Your participation is what will drive our success, and that is why we are working harder than ever before to bring in expert voices and trainers, and to provide safe spaces for complex conversations and deep beneficial learning. There is plenty of fun and reflection to be had, but we want to make sure that you are leaving this year's conference feeling stronger, smarter, better-equipped, and more prepared to approach your work.
Our 2019 Conference will be held amid the 130 acres of natural beauty surrounding Lake McKnight at Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center. Located just 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and the Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport, this location is a convenient and picturesque place for us to do great works together.
We are elated to announce an incredible guest lineup for this year's conference. 13 speakers from across the death care community will converge for one powerful weekend to share in the art and ritual of family-directed funeral care.
Discover a tranquil lakeside getaway at Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center, located just 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.
Nestled on 130 acres of scenic meadows and trails in Chaska, Minnesota, our full-service property is an ideal setting for productive business meetings, relaxing retreats and weekend escapes.
From delicious on-site dining, to all-inclusive meeting packages, we make it easy to host seamless gatherings at Oak Ridge. When it's time to unwind, guests can take advantage of our hiking trails, complimentary fitness center, sauna and numerous recreational activities. The comfortable rooms and suites at Oak Ridge feature sweeping views of our lovely lakefront grounds and convenient amenities, such as personal Keurig coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, room service, plush bedding and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.
The conference center offers free parking, as well.
Meals and Continuous Snacks Prepare for 6 delicious buffet-style meals. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. Be sure to indicate food restrictions and allergies when completing your registration form. There are continuous morning and afternoon snacks outside our main conference room. We will not go hungry!
Book Your Transportation Oak Ridge is 1/2 hour away from the Minneapolis / St Paul Airport Super Shuttle, Inc: NHFA Discount Fare $37.00 First Passenger, Each Additional Passenger $9.00 ($74 roundtrip)
Ricky Rides Carpooling Service: Use Ricky Rides, a free carpooling service, to meet other attendees with similar travel plans, and match up with rides to save costs and headaches. Our event page is available here.
Dressing for the Weather Historically, the average temperature in Minneapolis during early October is in the 60 to 65° range. Be sure to dress for cooler evenings, and bring comfortable walking shoes for the many trails around the lake as well as the labyrinth. Be sure to check out www.weather.com for the latest updates.
Refund Policy for Conference Registration There will be no penalty for cancellations received on or before the date 30 days prior to the first day of the conference. The full amount paid minus a $50 processing fee will be refunded. A cancellation fee of 50% of registration costs plus a $50 fee will be applied for cancellations received between 29 to 14 days before the conference. No refund will be issued for cancellations received less than 14 days before the first day of the conference. Late requests for refunds due to a family emergency only will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All cancellations must be sent in writing via e-mail to the conference registrar, kim@homefuneralalliance.org.
NHFA is not responsible for problems beyond our control such as weather conditions, air or ground travel delays, etc. No refunds will be given in these situations.
Refunds will not be issued for late arrivals, unattended events, early termination of attendance, or no-shows. In the event that NHFA cancels an event, we will refund all fees collected in full.
What to expect at an NHFA conference: Regardless of how much you already know about home funerals, you’ll feel at home here. NHFA conferences are all different, fostering sharing between people of new ideas and old, all with one goal in mind: building momentum of the movement for the benefit of families who wish to care for their own after death.
Having chosen our venue carefully for good food and comfortable yet informal accommodations, we come relaxed and open, hoping to leave with inspiration and information to sustain ourselves and hone our message.
You’ll meet people from all over the US, Canada, and other parts of the world. You’ll meet home funeral guides, end of life guides, celebrants, nurses, body workers, hospice workers, finance gurus, writers, filmmakers, beggars, bankers and thieves – there are no boundaries or requirements for engaging in this diverse and rich gathering. Whatever your passion around home funerals, there’s a seat at the table for you.
Hear what participants in previous conferences had to say about their experience: “It was wonderful connecting and reconnecting with like-minded beings.”
“This was a valuable conference for me. I am fairly new to this field so there was lots of helpful information for me.”
“It surpassed expectation. It was delightful, informative, heartbreaking & fun all at the same time. Impressively organized!”
“Presenters spoke to a perfect variety and balance of topics with equally diverse yet gratifyingly impassioned and powerful delivery styles. What a collection of wisdom and experience!” “My expectations were exceeded. I learned a great deal, and the community was wonderful, open, smart and generous.”
“I feel more courageous and connected with after death care in general - and really excited to reconnect with some awesome people I met.”
“My first conference and everything was wonderful.” “Thank you so much! I didn’t know what to expect, but it was an honor to be surrounded by so many beautiful, strong, compassionate women (and men); I am inspired.”