Pursuit of Excellence

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home Receives

National Recognition - Four Years Running

KITTITAS COUNTY, WA – For the fourth year in a row, Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory is proud to announce that it has been honored with the 2024 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Pursuit of Excellence Award. This recognition places Johnston & Williams among an elite group of just 284 funeral home locations worldwide that have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in funeral service. Johnston & Williams is only one of four firms in Washington to be recognized, and the only funeral homes in Central Washington to receive this award.

The NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award is reserved for funeral homes that uphold the highest ethical and professional standards while delivering exceptional service to families and communities. Recipients of this award set a new benchmark in the profession by exceeding rigorous business standards and excelling in key areas such as compliance, staff development, service to grieving families and community engagement.

To qualify for this prestigious award, Johnston & Williams met or surpassed the comprehensive criteria established by the NFDA, which include adherence to state and federal regulations, ongoing staff education, and active community involvement. The award also recognizes funeral homes that provide outstanding programs and resources for bereaved families; actively contribute to the funeral service profession; and effectively promote their services through various marketing, advertising, and public relations efforts. All participants in the program must also commit to the NFDA's Pledge of Ethical Practices.

"We are thrilled that Johnston & Williams has earned the 2024 Pursuit of Excellence Award," said Jessica Koth, NFDA Director of Public Relations. "This award, which has been conferred by NFDA for more than four decades, is a symbol of unparalleled dedication, innovation and service within the funeral profession. Earning this award is a testament not only to meeting the highest professional and ethical standards but also to their unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and deep-rooted dedication to the families and communities you serve."

“This award is no small task to earn,” said owner Henry D. Johnston, “and for us to receive it year over year for the past four years speaks to the dedication of our entire staff to be the absolute best in our profession."

More information about the NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award program can be found on the association’s website,NFDA.org/PursuitOfExcellence.

NFDA is the world's leading and largest funeral service association, serving 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.           

Johnston & Williams is Kittitas County’s oldest funeral provider, with roots in Ellensburg going back to 1918 and Cle Elum in 1920. Prior to being purchased by Henry Johnston in July 2020, the firms operated for 22 years as Steward & Williams Funeral Home in Ellensburg and Cascade Funeral Home in Cle Elum.