Local man installed president of funeral directors organization

Darin MacNeill, licensed funeral director with Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home in Sebring, was recently installed as president of Independent Funeral Directors of Florida (IFDF). MacNeill had served in other leadership positions for the organization, including director, vice president and president-elect.

MacNeill took office at an installation ceremony held during the association's annual conference at the Renaissance Resort at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine. He will serve in the position for a term of one year, leading a 15-member board of directors that governs the statewide professional association. MacNeill also serves as the chairman of the IFDF Conference Planning Committee.

IFDF members are those funeral directors who are affiliated with family-owned and operated funeral homes throughout the state of Florida. The 500-member organization serves as the voice of independent funeral directors, and promotes dignified death care through its educational and legislative activities. It has been the blueprint for various other states that have followed Florida's lead in forming similar associations.

MacNeill is also an owner of Everlasting Memorials and Monuments in Sebring. He is a member and past board member of the Sebring Noon Kiwanis Club, as well as past board member of the American Red Cross.

He graduated from Miami-Dade Community College in 1990 and began working for Stephenson-Nelson in 1986 while still in high school. He and his wife, Kathy, have three children, Nicole, A.J., and Scott.