Submitted photo Eric R Warmka (left), General Manager, Licensed Funeral Director of Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes poses with R. Bryant Hightower Jr., President of the National Funeral Directors Associationafter receiving the 2021 Pursuit of Excellence Award.

NEW ULM – Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes have been honored by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) with the 2021 Pursuit of Excellence Award. Only 542 funeral home locations around the globe were honored with a 2021 Pursuit of Excellence Award, placing the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes among an elite group of funeral service providers. Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients raise the bar on funeral service excellence by adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards and providing unsurpassed service to families and communities.

To earn an NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, a participating funeral home must meet or exceed business standards set forth by the program and demonstrate proficiency in key areas of funeral service, such as compliance with state and federal regulations; providing ongoing education and professional development opportunities for staff; offering outstanding programs and resources to bereaved families; maintaining an active level of involvement within the community; participating and actively serving in 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.

“As the pandemic continues to impact our country, funeral homes are finding extraordinary ways to meet the moment and provide meaningful support to grieving families and communities,” said NFDA Director of Public Relations Jessica Koth, who manages the Pursuit of Excellence Award program. “The Pursuit of Excellence Task Force was very impressed with entry submitted by the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes and commends the staff for their hard work and dedication during these challenging times.”

Eric Warmka, General Manager and Licensed Funeral Director with Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes states, “Every town has a funeral home that they trust, but what else is that funeral home doing for the community? We pride ourselves on the funeral services we have provided for generations, but it’s my focus to also find additional ways to give back to the communities we serve. If it’s serving on local boards, volunteering with area service groups, working on the fire department, or taking positions in local government, I want to continue to find ways for my staff and I to be involved in our communities and give back any way we can.”