Coleman-Taylor Funeral Director Graduates from National Emerging Leaders Program

Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services owner and licensed funeral director Katlyn L. Taueetia recently returned to Cecil Township after graduating from the National Funeral Directors Association’s National Emerging Leaders Program at the 2026 NFDA Leadership Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

Katlyn was one of just 17 funeral service professionals from across the United States and Canada selected to participate in the year-long program, which focuses on developing the next generation of leaders in funeral service.

While the graduation took place hundreds of miles from home, the purpose behind opportunities like this remains very local: bringing new knowledge, ideas and resources back to the families Coleman-Taylor serves throughout Cecil Township, Canonsburg, South Fayette and surrounding communities.

A Year of Leadership and Professional Growth

The National Emerging Leaders Program began in June 2025 at NFDA headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Over the last year, the 17 participants met regularly for educational sessions, professional development and conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing funeral service today.

The experience also created something equally valuable, a network of funeral professionals from across the United States and Canada who can continue learning from and supporting one another long after graduation.

The class reunited in Louisville in August for its final meeting and graduation during the NFDA Leadership Conference.

The conference also brought together funeral service leaders from across the country for education, collaboration and discussions surrounding leadership, advocacy, communication and the changing needs of families.

Bringing National Education Back to Our Local Community

At Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services, professional development isn't simply about adding another certificate to the wall.

It's about serving families better.

Funeral service has changed considerably over the years, and today's families have more choices than ever when deciding how they want to remember and honor someone they love.

Continuing education and involvement in professional organizations allow the Coleman-Taylor team to stay informed about those options, learn from funeral professionals throughout the country and continually evaluate how families are cared for here at home.

That commitment is especially important to Katlyn Taueetia, who believes great funeral service isn't determined by the size of a building or the number of families a funeral home serves each year. It is determined by the people behind the door; their compassion, accessibility, knowledge and willingness to continue learning.

Continuing a Tradition of Service in Cecil Township

Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services has been part of the local community since 1936.

Katlyn Taueetia purchased the funeral home from her father, John Taylor, in April 2025, continuing the Taylor family's commitment to serving families throughout Cecil Township and the surrounding communities.

As a second-generation funeral director and funeral home owner, Katlyn has made continuing education, community involvement and professional leadership important parts of Coleman-Taylor's future.

In addition to completing the National Emerging Leaders Program, she serves as president of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association and as a trustee of the Allegheny County Funeral Directors Association.

Those opportunities provide connections and resources that extend far beyond the walls of the funeral home — while ultimately benefiting the families Coleman-Taylor serves locally.

Choosing a Funeral Home Means Choosing the People

Families often compare funeral homes based on location, facilities, services and price. Those things matter.

But so do the people who will answer the phone when a death occurs, sit across the table while difficult decisions are being made, explain available options and help create a service that feels personal to the individual being remembered.

For Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services, leadership means continuing to learn and grow so that families never hear, “That's just how we've always done it.”

Instead, the goal is to provide families with information, choices and compassionate guidance so they can make the decisions that are right for them.

Katlyn returned home from Louisville grateful to the Funeral Service Foundation and NFDA for the scholarship and opportunity to participate in the National Emerging Leaders Program, and especially thankful for the relationships formed with the other 16 members of her class.

Graduation may have marked the end of the program, but the education and relationships built throughout the year will continue to shape the future of Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services.

For families in Cecil Township, Canonsburg, South Fayette and surrounding Washington County communities, that means a local funeral home committed not only to its nearly 90-year history, but also to continuing to learn, evolve and provide families with thoughtful, personalized care for generations to come.

Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services provides funeral, cremation, pre-planning, veteran and personalized memorial services to families throughout Cecil Township, Canonsburg, South Fayette and surrounding communities.