CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Mitchell Family Funeral Home was the only funeral home in Iowa to recently earn this year’s Pursuit of Excellence Award, given by the National Funeral Directors Association, at a convention and expo held in New Orleans October 20-23. Left to right: owner Marty Mitchell, funeral directors Jordan Cline and Luis Guajardo, and National Funeral Directors Association President Dutch Nie.

Funeral homes provide more than burial services. They offer grieve support, community outreach and staff undergo continuing education like those in other fields do. This year, Mitchell Family Funeral Home has become the only funeral home in the State of Iowa to be recognized with the Pursuit of Excellence Award from the National Funeral Directors Association, at a convention and expo held in New Orleans October 20-23. The award has been given for the past 44 years.

“It’s definitely been something that we have been wanting to win,” said funeral director Jordan Cline. “It was the right year for us to work towards applying. We felt there were strong criteria. This was the first time we’d really gone for the application process, and the first time we were able to receive the award. That was pretty exciting for all of us here.”

Other entities honored this year come from all across the United States, plus Brazil, Singapore, the Philippines, Mexico, South America, and other locales.

Qualifications for the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award includes a funeral home demonstrating proficiency in key areas of funeral service such as: compliance with state and federal regulations; staff participation in ongoing education and professional development; offering outstanding programs and resources to bereaved families; maintaining an active level of involvement in the community; active participation in and service to the funeral service profession; and promoting funeral home services through a variety of marketing, advertising and public relations programs. Participants are also required to adhere to a Pledge of Ethical Practices, according to information obtained from NFDA.

“This year’s Pursuit of Excellence honorees stand out as an extraordinary group of funeral service professionals. They not only serve grieving families with the utmost dignity and compassion, but also actively engage in making meaningful contributions to their communities,” said NFDA Director of Public Relations Jessica Koth, who oversees the Pursuit of Excellence Award program. “The Pursuit of Excellence Task Force was deeply impressed by the quality and creativity of this year’s entries. We commend these firms for their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service, and we are honored to have them as a part of the NFDA family.”

Owner Marty Mitchell said winning the award wouldn’t have happened without the support from the people of Marshalltown and surrounding communities over the years.

Cline added that attending the convention and expo allowed him and his colleagues the chance to hear guest speakers and attend programs.

“We’re always trying to find ways that we can better benefit the community, whether that’s through service, or if we see a need, we like to help fulfill that wherever we can,” Cline noted.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home has sponsored free swim days at the aquatic center, kennels at the Marshalltown ARL, sports teams and race cars, and more. It also sponsors scholarships for Mortuary of Science Students at Marshalltown Community College and Des Moines Area Community College.

In 2017, Mitchell founded the Iowa Funeral Museum and Education Center with the goal of preserving the history of funeral service in Iowa. It is free admission and located at 1201 Iowa Ave. W. near the funeral home’s office. It is open by appointment only.