Bates Funeral Chapel of Oskaloosa received the Award of Excellence in Funeral Service at the 128th Annual Iowa Funeral Directors Association Convention held April 29 – May 1 at the Iowa State Center and Gateway Hotel in Ames.

The Iowa Award of Funeral Service Excellence recognizes a funeral home’s exemplary service to the community it serves. Bates Funeral Chapel, which has been serving Oskaloosa and the surrounding communities for 57 years, was one of nine funeral homes from throughout the state to receive the award. It is the 15th year the funeral home has been recognized by peers for this achievement. To qualify, a funeral home must excel in four of five areas: presentation of public information, active membership in the state association, sponsorship of community events or services, professional development and personal development.

This year’s Annual IFDA Convention featured highly regarded local and national funeral service speakers who presented current information on bereavement education, business and management practices, regulatory updates, technical skills and training and additional topics related to the funeral service profession. The Annual IFDA Convention provides funeral directors with a forum to receive and exchange information so they may return home with new ideas that will allow them to better serve the families in their communities.

The Iowa Funeral Directors Association “promotes and supports funeral service excellence” by representing over 650 Iowa licensed funeral directors and promotes high standards within the field of funeral service through continuing education programs, legislative representation and service to Iowa communities. For consumer information regarding funeral service, log on IFDA’s Web site at www.iafda.org.