The Scholarships For End-of-life professions Information Hub

Find A Scholarship

The following list includes scholarships to support future professionals in end-of-life care.

Are you offering a scholarship for people pursuing a career in end-of-life care? We’d love to include it. Or, do you know of a scholarship we missed?

Funeral Service Scholarships

American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
Location: Woodbury Heights, NJ
Phone: 816-233-3747
Email: exdir@abfse.org
Website: www.abfse.org
Amount: $500 to $2,500 (50–60 scholarships annually)
Eligibility: Students enrolled in ABFSE-accredited programs who have completed at least one term. Selection based on financial need, academic performance, recommendations, extracurriculars, and clarity of application.

Funeral Service Foundation
Location: Brookfield, WI
Phone: 877-402-5900 or 262-789-1880
Website: www.funeralservicefoundation.org
Programs: Academic scholarships for ABFSE students, professional development scholarships for women, Meet the Mentors funding
Eligibility: Full- and part-time students and professionals continuing education in funeral service.

International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Phone: 479-442-7076
Website: theconferenceonline.org
Eligibility: Administers scholarships through ABFSE.

International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR)
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Phone: 800-637-8030
Email: info@ogr.org
Website: www.ogr.org
Eligibility: Mortuary science students entering final year, “B” average or higher, community involvement, and commitment to learning.

Jewish Funeral Directors of America
Location: Sterling, VA
Phone: 703-391-8400
Website: www.jfda.org
Amount: $500–$1,500
Eligibility: Open to all mortuary science students. Essay contest announced after Thanksgiving.

National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association (NFDMA)
Location: Union City, GA
Phone: 800-434-0958
Website: nfdma.com
Eligibility: Mortuary science students who’ve completed one of the last three quarters. Must have a GPA of 2.5+, strong attendance, and demonstrated professionalism.

National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
Location: Brookfield, WI
Phone: 800-228-6332
Website: www.nfda.org
Eligibility: Scholarships administered through the American Board of Funeral Service Education.

Death Doula Scholarships

INELDA – International End of Life Doula Association
Website: inelda.org/scholarship-program
Amount: Partial tuition coverage
Eligibility: Aspiring doulas from underrepresented or underserved communities. Application includes personal background, goals, and community impact.

Loving Life Doula Scholarship Fund
Website: lovinglifedoula.com
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: BIPOC and LGBTQ+ aspiring death doulas. Funds apply to certification programs and continuing education.

Hospice, Palliative Care, & Nursing Scholarships

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF)
Website: advancingexpertcare.org/hpnf/scholarships
Amount: $500 to $2,000+
Eligibility: Hospice and palliative care nurses (RNs, APRNs, LPNs) seeking continuing education, conference travel, or certification.

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)
Website: aahpm.org
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Physicians, fellows, and medical students pursuing education or research in hospice and palliative medicine.

Sigma/HPNF End-of-Life Nursing Care Research Grant
Website: www.sigmanursing.org
Amount: Up to $10,000
Eligibility: Registered nurses with a master's or doctoral degree, or enrolled in a doctoral program, conducting research to advance end-of-life nursing care.

AAHPM – Leadership Scholars Fund
Website: www.aahpm.org
Amount: Up to $5,000 over two years
Eligibility: AAHPM members committed to developing leadership skills in hospice and palliative care.

AAHPM – International Physician Scholarship
Website: www.aahpm.org
Amount: Up to $5,000
Eligibility: Physicians residing in low and middle-income countries, providing financial support to attend the AAHPM Annual Assembly.

Grief Counseling & Thanatology Scholarships

Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)
Website: adec.org
Programs: Offers student scholarships to attend their annual conference
Eligibility: Students pursuing grief counseling, death education, or thanatology-related degrees

MISS Foundation – Counseling Intern Scholarship
Website: missfoundation.org
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Graduate students or interns pursuing grief support roles, especially perinatal or child loss

Other Scholarships

Not every scholarship is nationally promoted or easy to find, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Many state funeral associations, local hospice networks, and professional organizations quietly offer scholarships, grants, or reimbursement programs for people entering the field.

Whether you're looking to become a licensed funeral director, a hospice nurse, or a certified end-of-life doula, it’s worth checking locally.

Start with our state-by-state directory:
????Browse Funeral Industry Associations, Organizations, & Industry Groups by State

You’ll find direct links to organizations that often post local scholarship opportunities, licensing support, and professional development funds.

Also check with:

• Local funeral homes (especially family-owned businesses)

• County hospice or palliative care programs

• Community foundations and nonprofit boards

• Colleges offering mortuary science or nursing degrees

Pro tip: If an organization doesn’t mention scholarships publicly, a quick email or call asking if they ever help with costs can go a long way.

Event Scholarships & Conference Discounts

Not all scholarships come with a formal application or a big announcement. Sometimes, they come as a simple “yes” when you ask for help.

If you're looking to attend a training, workshop, or conference in the end-of-life space, remember: a discount or waived fee is a form of scholarship. Whether it's $25 off registration or a full ride, the outcome is the same... you save money and get to attend an event or conference where you can learn and build relationship that may help your career.

Don’t let prestige keep you from asking. Organizations often have extra passes, community tickets, or donor-funded spots they're glad to offer when asked.

The worst thing that happens? You don’t hear back.

The best? You attend for less (or free!) and make meaningful connections that shape your future.

Looking for upcoming events?

Browse our Community Events Calendar to find conferences, workshops, and trainings where you can put this strategy into action.

Sample Email to Request a Discount or Scholarship

Feel free to copy, paste, and personalize this:

Subject: Scholarship or Discount Request for [Event Name]

Dear [Event Organizer’s Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I’m [brief background – e.g., “a student in a mortuary science program” / “new to the field of death care” / “training to become a grief counselor”].

I’m very interested in attending [Event Name] on [Event Dates], but the cost is currently a barrier for me.

I’m writing to ask whether there are any scholarships, discounted registrations, or volunteer opportunities available. I’d be grateful for any support to help make it possible for me to participate.

Thank you so much for the work you do and for considering my request.

Best,

[Your Name][Your Email]

What To Do If You Don't Get The Scholarship You're Hoping For

Not every application results in a scholarship—, but that doesn’t mean your path is blocked. Here’s how to keep moving forward even if the answer is no.

Not everyone will get a scholarship. So, give them backup plans:

• Ask about payment plans or sliding scale
• See if your employer will reimburse training
• Volunteer to help with events in exchange for admission
• Use CEU credit from free webinars while you save
• Even if they aren’t offering one right now, it’s worth joining their email list to stay updated