ICCFA Leadership Summit 2025 Empowers Deathcare Professionals to “Reimagine, Reinvent, Redefine”

STERLING, Va. (November 17, 2025) – The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA) concluded its 2025 Leadership Summit in Knoxville, Tennessee, where deathcare leaders gathered to explore the theme “Reimagine, Reinvent, Redefine.” Held October 21–23, the Summit offered an immersive educational and networking experience that challenged professionals to think differently about the future of deathcare.

This year’s event welcomed 124 total registrants, bringing together a diverse group of professionals representing every facet of the cemetery, cremation, and funeral service profession. The Summit also provided a special opportunity for members of the inaugural class of ICCFA’s 40 Under 40 Award, who attended through educational scholarships from the ICCFA Educational Foundation. These emerging leaders participated in educational sessions and networking events, connecting with deathcare veterans and peers as they continue shaping the future of deathcare leadership.

Hosted by Summit Co-Chairs Lori Bolton, CSE, CXE, and Dr. C. Lynn Gibson, DPHIL, CFSP, this year’s event combined hands-on, off-site learning with visionary presentations that encouraged attendees to embrace innovation, hospitality, and meaningful community engagement. Participants spent a day at Smith Life & Legacy in Maryville, Tennessee, where they experienced a symbolic “Funeral for the Traditional Funeral” and explored transformative approaches to serving modern families.

Educational highlights included sessions such as “Why Hospitality? Reimagining the Funeral Experience” with Lee Longino of Service Corporation International, “The Celebration Journey” with Brooke Heldman of Dignity Memorial, and “Cemeteries Are Dying” with Dr. Jason Troyer and Dr. C. Lynn Gibson, DPHIL, CFSP. Attendees also reimagined aftercare and cemetery engagement with presenters Jennifer Flaum of HeartLight Center and John Bolton, CCE, CCrE, CSE, CXE, of Park Lawn Corporation. The Summit concluded with the Irwin W. Shipper Government & Legislative Update, led by Christie Toson, CCE, and Poul Lemasters, Esq., which provided crucial updates on federal and state issues impacting the profession.

Networking and connection were at the heart of the event. While the annual ICCFA Golf Tournament was cancelled due to inclement weather, attendees still enjoyed memorable opportunities to connect—including a whiskey tasting and lunch at Company Distilling and evening receptions that fostered collaboration and community among peers from across the profession.

“Our goal with the Leadership Summit is to provide a space where creativity and collaboration meet,” said Nadira Baddeliyanage, ICCFA Executive Director. “This year’s hands-on approach reminded us that leadership isn’t just about management—it’s about vision, courage, and reimagining what’s possible for the families we serve.”

ICCFA President Bob Gordon, Jr., CCE, added, “The Summit in Knoxville proved that innovation and compassion can go hand in hand. Our attendees left inspired to redefine excellence in service, design, and care within their own organizations.”

The 2026 ICCFA Leadership Summit is scheduled to take place October 20–22, at The DeSoto in Savannah, Georgia. Next year’s program will continue to build on the theme of innovation and leadership with new speakers, interactive sessions, and engaging networking opportunities.

For more information, visit iccfa.com/fall.

Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral, and memorialization profession. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home, and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide.

Etern.life Empowers Funeral Professionals with Digital Scattering Memorials

ALBUQUERQUE, NM October 21, 2025 – As the funeral profession continues to adapt to rising cremation rates and shifting consumer preferences, Etern.life offers a forward-thinking digital solution that aligns with the evolving needs of today’s families. Developed by Passages International, Etern.life bridges the gap between meaningful scattering ceremonies and lasting remembrance, giving funeral professionals an opportunity to remain a part of the story long after the service concludes.

In traditional burial settings, a gravestone provides families with a place to return to. But with the growing popularity of scattering in nature, those meaningful places often go unmarked. Etern.life makes it possible to “mark the spot” with a digital memorial that anchors that location to an interactive online tribute. Families can then create a permanent space to share their loved one’s story, photos, ceremony details, and memories.

For funeral homes, this platform represents more than just a product, it’s an extension of service that meets families where they are. By guiding them through the memorial creation process, funeral professionals can offer a unique layer of aftercare that enhances connection, builds trust, and reflects a genuine commitment to honoring the full journey of remembrance.

Etern.life has been developed with integration in mind. It is already compatible with Passages International’s biodegradable urns and scattering tubes. Each coming with the ability to geo-locate the exact scattering location on our digital map. For those who have already scattered or used alternative urns, standalone codes can be offered, ensuring inclusivity and flexibility.

In a time when digital engagement plays an increasing role in how families grieve, celebrate, and share memories, Etern.life gives funeral professionals a way to remain relevant and supportive beyond the walls of the funeral home. It also offers practical branding opportunities. Memorial pages can discreetly display a funeral home’s logo, and licensing opportunities for maps to be integrated on funeral home websites is a goal for the Etern.life team to expand as the platform grows.

With interest in eco-conscious practices, storytelling, and personalization on the rise, Etern.life meets families where tradition no longer does. It empowers funeral professionals to serve their clients with empathy, innovation, and forward-thinking care, helping ensure that even the most natural farewells leave a lasting legacy.

If you are attending NFDA in Chicago, please visit Etern.life at booth 749 to connect and see a demo!

For more information or to schedule a demo, visit https://etern.life

Batesville Empowers Deathcare Professionals with Industry-Leading Burial, Cremation and Technology Solutions at 2025 ICCFA Exhibition

BATESVILLE, Ind., April 23, 2025 – Batesville, a leading North American provider of high-quality burial and cremation products, innovative technology solutions and a trusted partner to funeral directors, cemeterians and crematory professionals, will showcase a variety of breakthrough products, high-performance digital solutions and merchandising systems designed to help customers drive efficiency and growth at the 2025 International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) Convention and Exposition, May 1 – 2, in Las Vegas, NV. Experts will demonstrate the transformational power of the new Family Choices^® digital and physical showrooms and the advanced capabilities of its MIS and Halcyon management software, web and e-commerce solutions.

“Over the last two years, Batesville has accelerated the level of investments across our business, blending tradition with innovation to provide compelling burial, cremation and technology solutions that deliver value to our customers and help families navigate the end-of-life journey,” said Jenn Parvin, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Batesville.

The company has deep customer relationships and a diverse portfolio of solutions to meet the evolving needs of deathcare professionals and the families they serve. Batesville was recently named one of Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Companies in America for the second consecutive year, an honor that reflects the dedication of 3,000 associates who share a common mission of helping families honor the lives of those they love.^®

Here are some of the Batesville solutions ICCFA attendees can explore:

Family Choices^® Physical and Digital Showrooms