NorthStar Memorial Group is dedicated to recognizing excellence in the funeral profession. We are proud to offer a $5,000 scholarship to mortuary science students, acknowledging their dedication to compassionate community service.
Brad Kraft was a pioneer and huge asset to NorthStar Memorial Group, where he advanced to the position of Vice President of Operations. Brad was the kind of manager people want to work for; organized, communicative, and always fair. This scholarship is in honor and remembrance of Mr. Kraft's passion for serving families. Brad was extremely proud of what he did for a living and didn’t mind telling you about it.
Eligible Institutions for Scholarship Application
- American River College
- Carl Sandburg College
- Cypress College
- Dallas Institute of Funeral Service
- John Gupton College
- Lake Washington Tech Institute of Technology
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
- Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS)
- St. Petersburg College
- Southern Illinois University
- Worsham College of Mortuary Science
Scholarship Details
Scholarship Amount: $5,000.00 (paid directly to the recipient’s institution)
Application Deadline: December 15, 2026 (Incomplete applications will not be considered)
Scholarship to be awarded in Spring 2027
SCHOLARSHIP FAQS
What does the scholarship application include?
- The application process includes an essay, and open-ended questions. An official transcript, resume and (2) letters of recommendation are also required.
What is the requirement for applying for the scholarship program?
- Active enrollment in a college or university program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) with a GPA of 2.6 or higher.
Can I be a scholarship recipient more than once?
- Scholarship recipients are eligible to receive one (1) Mortuary Science scholarship award.
May I apply after the deadline?
- Unfortunately, applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
When will the scholarship winners announced?
- All applicants will be notified of their selection status individually.
Is my award contingent upon working for NorthStar Memorial Group?
- No, you are not required to accept an offer of employment to receive a scholarship award.
Skills Required
- Active enrollment in an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program
- Enrollment at one of the listed eligible institutions
- Minimum GPA of 2.6
- Essay and responses to open-ended questions
- Official transcript
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
What We Do
Passion. Professionalism. Personal growth. What we do is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to change lives and unleash your talent. Since 2004, NorthStar Memorial Group has grown, evolved and led the funeral and cemetery profession with a fresh perspective and without ever losing sight of what we do best: celebrating life and passionately supporting the families we serve. What began as a single property in Decatur, Illinois has now expanded to include more than 85 funeral, cremation and cemetery locations serving thousands of families across the United States. Here, we understand the power of legacies, and we’ve made it our life’s work to honor them. At NorthStar Memorial Group, we choose collaboration over bureaucracy. Here, everyone has a chance to lead. We encourage & empower our people at every level to speak up, be heard, and watch their ideas become realities. Degreed & non-degreed professionals, labor workers, industry experts – people from all career and experiential backgrounds have the opportunity to find a home here. Sound too good to be true? Apply today to see why our employees have voted NSMG one of the best companies to work for 8 years in a row and one of Selling Power's 2021 Top 50 Companies To Sell For! For more information about career opportunities with NorthStar, visit www.nsmg.com/careers/ or Join our Talent Network @ https://nsmg.jobs.net/en-US/ As a member of our Talent Network, you'll: - Receive alerts with new job opportunities that match your interests - Receive relevant communications and updates from our organization - Share job opportunities with family and friends through Social Media or email Whether you choose to apply or just leave your information, we look forward to staying connected with you
