Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

The 2025 Annual Meeting is a time to learn and share valuable information as well as develop and rekindle lifelong friendships that only occurs when Selected members gather.
For immediate questions, email Selected Headquarters or call 800-323-4219.

Categories:

• General Meeting Information
• Registration
• Hotel and Location Information
• Education

GENERAL MEETING INFORMATION

• Where and when is the 2024 Annual Meeting being held?
  The 2025 Annual Meeting will be held September 28 – October 1 at The Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans.


• What is the dress code for the Annual Meeting?
  Recommended attire for all meeting sessions and functions (including the Welcome Celebration) is business casual. We recommend bringing a sweater/jacket in the event the temperature is cooler than expected for both outdoor evening activities and indoor meeting rooms.


• What format is the Annual Meeting presented in?
  We are excited to bring members, Preferred Partners and guests together in person for the Annual Meeting! However, since we realize some participants may be unable to travel, we also are offering virtual livestream access (virtual sessions will not have playback functionality).
  
  NOTE: Please be aware that not all sessions and activities available to our in-person participants will be available to our virtual participants.


• Where can I find more information about the Annual Meeting?
  For full details about the meeting, visit the 2025 Annual Meeting webpages.


• Is membership in Selected required to participate in the Annual Meeting?
  As always, non-members are welcome to register and participate in continuing education sessions. We do, however, have some specific ""members-only exchange" sessions as noted in the agenda.


• Will Preferred Partners be participating in the Annual Meeting?
  Yes! Preferred Partner display tables and booths will be available during specific times, providing the opportunity to meet with and learn how their offerings can help support our member firms. This opportunity is only available to in-person participants (visit the 2025 Annual Meeting webpages for details on specific Preferred Partners who will be at the meeting). Anyone can visit Selected’s Preferred Partner webpages at any time for details on all our Preferred Partners.


• What software do I need to install on my computer if I choose to participate virtually?
  Annual Meeting sessions are offered as a livestream via Zoom. Participants should open the link provided by Selected prior to the meeting to ensure they have the latest updates installed. All livestream participants that registered will receive an email from Selected before the meeting with the access information, so it is critical to provide the correct email address(es) during registration.


• Who do I contact for technical questions if I am a virtual livestream participant?
  Participants should visit Zoom’s Support Center or contact Zoom.


• Will Selected have member services available during the Annual Meeting?
  Yes! Headquarters staff will be available onsite during the Annual Meeting. The Registration hours for each day are listed on the Schedule at a Glance and will be printed in the onsite Annual Meeting Official Program. Headquarters staff also will be available to answer questions by calling 800-323-4219 or by email at info@selectedfuneralhomes.org.

REGISTRATION

• How do I register for the Annual Meeting?
  Selected members can register online for both in-person and virtual livestream options.
  Non-members should email Selected or call 800-323-4219 to request a registration form.


• Are there registration fees for the Annual Meeting?
  Yes!
  
  The in-person registration fee for the first participant from a firm is $1,124 with a limited-time Early Bird registration discounted rate of $1,024 available until August 25, 2025. The registration fee now includes the price of the Welcome Celebration on Sunday (a savings of $25). Each additional participant from the same firm is $824 with the Early Bird rate and $874 after August 25, 2025..
  
  Registration includes admission to meeting sessions, hospitality breaks, two lunches, two breakfasts and the Welcome Celebration on Sunday. In addition, there are meal options for spouses/guests not registering to attend meeting sessions.
  
  NOTE: Premium Members automatically will be given the first-person meeting registration and Welcome Celebration free as part of their Premium Membership benefit. This will appear as a credit when the registration for the first person with the firm is entered.
  
  The virtual registration fee is $199 for the first participant. This includes Continuing education credit.
  
  Non-members should email Selected or call 800-323-4219 for registration fee details.


• How were the registration fees for the Annual Meeting determined?
  Selected strives to keep meeting registration fees stable. In fact, the Annual Meeting registration fees have remained consistent for more than 10 years, due primarily to the sponsorship support from our Preferred Partners. Selected remains committed to making the Annual Meeting as affordable as possible for members while covering meeting costs.


• Is there an Early Bird rate to register?
  Yes! In-person participants that register on or before August 25, 2024 will receive the Early Bird first person rate of $1,024 for a savings of $100! Each additional participant will register at a rate of $824 for a savings of $50 with the Early Bird discount.
  
  There is no Early Bird discount for the virtual livestream registration.


• Is there a discount for registering multiple staff members?
  Yes! There is a reduced in person registration fee for additional participants from the same firm. Each additional participant from the same firm is $824 with the Early Bird rate and $874 after August 25, 2025.
  
  For registration details, visit the 2025 Annual Meeting registration webpage.


• Can I register a spouse or guest?
  Yes! Spouses and guests are welcome to attend certain meals and events at the Annual Meeting. Be sure to select "Spouse/Guest" under the participant type when you register.


• Can children attend the Annual Meeting?
  Yes! There is a children’s price (12 and under) of $95/child to attend the Welcome Celebration and $65/child (12 and under) for breakfasts and lunches throughout the meeting. Visit the 2025 Annual Meeting registration webpage for details.


• What is the refund policy if I cancel or can’t participate?
  If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to send a substitute. Simply notify Selected Headquarters to provide the name and contact information of the substitute.
  
  Cancellation of in-person registration received prior to August 25, 2025 will result in a full refund, less a service charge of $100. Selected regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows or cancellations after August 25, 2025.
  
  Cancellation of virtual registration received prior to September 24, 2025 will result in a full refund, less a service charge of $50. Selected regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows or cancellations after September 24, 2025.
  
  Any requests for exceptions to the cancellation/refund policy must be submitted in writing by the registrant with appropriate documentation no later than October 6, 2025. After that time, no refund considerations will be made.


• Is there a deadline to register?
  There is no deadline for in-person registrations. Registrations will be accepted onsite during the meeting.
  
  The deadline to register for the virtual livestream is Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

HOTEL AND LOCATION INFORMATION

• Where is the Annual Meeting hotel?
  The Ritz-Carlton is located at 921 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70112
• Is there a room block for meeting participants?
  Selected's specially negotiated rate of $299/night + taxes and fees (run of house rooms) at The Ritz-Carlton is available until Monday, August 25, or until our room block fills (whichever comes first). Members are strongly encouraged to book a reservation as soon as possible for best availability. Once our room block fills, the hotel will determine if rooms are available and at what rate. Selected reserves the right to cancel any hotel reservation in the room block that is not connected to a registered meeting participant.
  
  Click here to book your room reservation.
• Is there parking at the hotel?
  There is no self-parking at The Ritz-Carlton. Valet parking options include:
  
  
  • Overnight Parking: $57
  • Oversized Vehicles Parking: $75
  • EV Vehicles Overnight Parking: $77
  • Sprinter Van Parking: $150
  
  To find other parking options, please visit: premiumparking.com/city/new-orleans


• What about protocols?
  Selected strives to hold safe, welcoming and enjoyable events, recognizing it is not possible to remove all risks. Selected expects and appreciates that participants at all Selected meetings will be mindful and respectful of others.
  
  To review all Selected’s policies, click here.

EDUCATION

• How many continuing education credits can I qualify for?
  Selected is applying to the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice for 10.0 contact hours of continuing education credit which equals 1.0 CE Units in Category B (provider #1024), and has applied to all states requiring CE. Selected cannot guarantee approval in states. For a list showing approval status, click here.
  
  Canadian Provinces
  Selected does not make application to Canadian Provinces for continuing education credit. However, Selected can provide a letter verifying attendance at the meeting as well as the application submitted to the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice for individual use if desired. Contact Selected Headquarters for more details.


• When will the full meeting agenda be posted?
  The in-person and virtual livestream meeting schedules are posted on the Annual Meeting homepage and will be printed in the Annual Meeting Official Program distributed onsite at the meeting.


• Does each individual registering for the virtual livestream registration need their own registration?
  Yes! Each virtual registration includes continuing education for one participant. The email address provided during registration will receive the access information prior to the meeting.


• How do I verify my attendance on the virtual livestream to receive CE credit?
  Each participant will be asked to provide your name, the state(s) in which you require credit, and your Funeral Director Number and/or Embalmer Number to the Meeting Host in the chat during the meeting. This is how Selected will verify your attendance.


• Do I get CE if I only participate in a few sessions (either at the in-person meeting or on the virtual livestream)?
  It is the participant’s responsibility to confirm that the session(s) has been approved by your state and/or that your state offers CE credit for individual sessions. Some states require attendance for the entire meeting to receive credit and do not award partial credit.


• Will recorded sessions be posted? Can I receive CE for viewing the recorded sessions?
  Session recordings will be available on the Annual Meeting Archive webpage 3-4 weeks after the conclusion of the meeting. Continuing education credit cannot be granted for watching sessions on-demand at a later date. Credit only will be issued for participation in live sessions and will be verified via chat information provided during the session as outlined above.


• If I am participating via the virtual livestream, will I have the opportunity to ask questions during a session?
  Virtual livestream participants will not have the ability to ask questions. However, questions can be submitted to meetings@selectedfuneralhomes.org and will be shared with the specific speaker for potential follow up after the meeting. However, Selected cannot guarantee all speakers will respond to questions.


• During what hours do live sessions take place?
  The full agenda including the in-person and virtual livestream meeting schedules will be printed in the Annual Meeting Official Program and is available on the Annual Meeting homepage.


• Will virtual livestream participants have access to all sessions during the meeting?
  The virtual livestream participants will not have access to all breakout sessions, Conversations Cafés or other specific sessions and activities. Please review the Virtual Livestream Schedule at a Glance for the full agenda.


• When will I be able to view session content after the Annual Meeting is over (contributed material, session recordings, etc.)?
  As at previous Annual Meetings, available slides, handouts, session recordings and other materials will be available on the Annual Meeting Archive webpage 3-4 weeks following the conclusion of the meeting.


• How long will the content (contributed material, photos, etc.) from the Annual Meeting be viewable?
  As in previous years, the Annual Meeting Archive webpage on Selected's website retains all information for the three most recent Annual Meetings.