Parting Stone Hosts Private Lab Tour for Women in Deathcare

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Parting Stone hosted a landmark event in Santa Fe, New Mexico—welcoming nearly 100 attendees of the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference to its laboratory for a private tour. The visit marked one of the first times Parting Stone opened its doors to such a large delegation, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how cremated remains are solidified into collections of 40-80+ stones.

The event was made possible through Parting Stone’s sponsorship of the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, an annual gathering dedicated to uplifting and connecting women leaders across the funeral profession. You can learn more about the conference on the NFDA website.

Guests arrived on two buses from the conference hotel, greeted by staff members wearing custom “Funeral Directors Rocks” t-shirts—a playful nod to Parting Stone’s flagship service. As attendees waited for their scheduled tours, they were invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments, a specialty drink called “Funeral Directors Rocks,” and curated goodie bags.

Tours departed every 10 minutes, guiding small groups through the entire solidification process from intake to completion. For many funeral professionals, it was their first time seeing the technology and meticulous care behind a process they routinely recommend to families.

Lindsay Harden with Crevasse’s Simple Cremations in Florida reflected on the emotional weight of the experience:

“All who attended the tour of the Parting Stone lab last weekend were forever changed in a way that was not anticipated. Funeral directors all have a fleeting moment of sheer terror at the Post Office when we mail cremated remains away to a third-party vendor to create the product requested by the family who entrusted their most beloved person into our care… During the tour of the Parting Stone lab, those fears were put to rest.”

“We all can now attest to the shared mindset of thoughtful care and consideration within the entire Parting Stone team. The gifts of precision, professionalism, compassion, knowledge, and truly wanting to make the best quality product possible were all extremely evident in our time together.”

That level of personal care was echoed by Jeri Lynn Davenport of Smith Family Funeral Home in Arkansas:

“It was such an honor to be able to visit and tour the Parting Stone lab. To see how the Parting Stone team personally handles each family member was touching. Each person is known by their name—not a number. This shows so much dignity and respect for the deceased.”

Parting Stone’s VP of Production, Kelse Lighthizer, welcomed the tour groups and shared her personal mission to always put families first. From growing the production facility from the ground up to building a team rooted in care, Kelse emphasized that every order is handled with dignity and precision.

CEO and Founder Justin Crowe addressed the group, sharing how powerful it was to see so many women leaders in deathcare gather under one roof:

“Having nearly 100 of the most influential women in funeral service walk through our lab was incredibly meaningful. Some we’ve known for years, some we just met—but all of them are shaping the future of this industry. It was an honor to share what we’re building at Parting Stone with people who care so deeply about families.”

The educational tour has been approved by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) for 0.5 CE credit—a bonus for attendees that underscores the value of the solidified remains option in the modern deathcare profession.

The event was a clear success, offering both inspiration and assurance to funeral professionals exploring the future of memorialization. As Lindsay Harden poignantly summarized, “Parting Stone has the full unwavering trust of our company, and we look forward to continuing to offer this wonderful option to each and every family that uses our services.”

Interested in offering solidified remains at your funeral home? Click here to work with Parting Stone.

The Funeral Service Foundation Announces New Trustees, Raises Record Funds, and Hosts Scholarship Recipients at 2024 NFDA International Convention & Expo

Funeral Service Foundation Welcomes New Trustees and Elects Executive Committee for 2024-2025

24th Annual Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic held at TPC Louisiana

On a beautiful October Sunday at TPC Louisiana, over 130 golfers gathered to kick off the 24th annual Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic. Held annually in conjunction with the NFDA International Convention & Expo, the Foundation’s Golf Classic serves as one of the unofficial “kick-off” events for the week.

The new Major Co-Benefactors were Service Corporation International (SCI) and the Foresight Companies at the $12,500 level with new Presenting Sponsor Wilbert Group at the $10,000 level. Premier Sponsors this year were: Batesville, Homesteaders Life Company, Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions, National Guardian Life Insurance Company, Passages International, Precoa, Regions Funeral and Cemetery Trust, and Ring Ring Marketing, who each contributed $5,000 to the event. Along with many sponsors and golfers, the event raised close to $170,000 for the Foundation’s programs and resources.

“We deeply appreciate the ongoing support from our sponsors, participants, and volunteers, who play a vital role in the success of this event,” stated Will Bischoff, Chair of the Fund Development Committee of the Funeral Service Foundation. “The funds raised are not only crucial for supporting funeral services, but this event also provides a wonderful opportunity to connect and enjoy time with friends across our profession.”

TPC Louisiana, a 5-star venue and designated PGA Tour stop was a perfect setting for golfers of all abilities to socialize and catch up with old friends and colleagues and meet some new ones. With a scramble format and different contests such as closest to the pin and long drive, the day’s winners included:

• 2024 Funeral Service Foundation Classic Scramble:
o 1st Place: Batesville (John Parlapiano, Jenn Parvin, Chris Trainor, Jim Tully)
o 2nd Place: NGL (Cameron Black, John Harris, David Holm, Mason Trimble)

• Closest to the Pin Contest:
o Men’s: Lance Ray
o Women’s: Michele Thiry

• Longest Drive Contest:
o Men’s Division: Beau Mothe
o Women’s Division: Daelyn Schellhaas, Leslie Smith

• Putting Contest Raffle Winner: Michael Schoedinger

• $10,000 Putting Contest Finalist: Adam Shaffer

SCI and Foresight served as the new Major Co-Benefactors of the Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic. To welcome guests, John Faulk of SCI (above left) and Chris Cruger (above center) kicked off the big event with Fund Development Chair Will Bischoff. On the right, new Presenting Sponsor Wilbert stops around the turn to grab lunch mid-day.

Foundation Highlights Impact and Celebrates 2024’s Major Donors

At the NFDA’s International Convention and Expo Opening Ceremony, held on Monday, October 21, newly inducted chair of the Funeral Service Foundation’s Board of Trustees, John Heald took to the stage to share the impact of the Foundation including recent funds raised and distributed for the Foundation’s Crisis Response Fund.

Foundation Development Committee Chair, Will Bischoff joined Heald on stage to honor and recognize the generosity of the foundation’s major donors in 2024 – Homesteaders Life Company, the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic, Physicians Mutual, and Legacy.com – who have each made a pledge or contributed $100,000 in 2024.

Heald also thanked Service Corporation International’s (SCI) $212,500 contribution in 2024 and cumulative giving of more than $1.5 million to the Foundation’s mission, as well as thanked Global Atlantic and Precoa who have made a continued substantial commitment to the Foundation, along with many donors who entrust the Foundation in making a positive impact for the future of funeral service.

Tom Johnson Posthumously Awarded Foundation’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award

On the evening of October 21, more than 350 of the Foundation’s donors, along with current and past trustees and volunteers, attended the invitation-only Donor Reception, underwritten by Global Atlantic Financial Group for the eleventh straight year.

Hosted by Mark Krause, the Foundation’s Immediate Past Chair, more than 20 major donors were recognized including Homesteaders, the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic Golf Tournament, Physicians Mutual, Service Corporation International, all at the $100,000+ level. Precoa was also recognized for their pledge of $50,000 this past year. Those supporting the Foundation this past year with gifts and pledges of $10,000 or more were honored and recognized with ceremonial checks displayed throughout the room.

The evening culminated with the Foundation’s presentation of its Distinguished Service Award, given posthumously this year to Tom Johnson, founder of Prime Succession and Johnson Consulting, a former member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and founder of the Memorial Classic Golf Tournament, now called the Tom Johnson Memorial Classic. Former Foundation Trustee, Jake Johnson spoke about his father’s positive impact on funeral service as a friend and mentor to so many.

The Foundation extends it thanks to The Messenger Co. in helping to memorialize Tom during the evening with a portrait on display on stage and in printing memorial and donation cards with one of Tom’s favorite quotes: “It’s about relationships.”

Former Foundation Chair Bob Arrington then hosted the Foundation’s mission moment and paddle raise for the Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund with pledges and gifts reaching $135,000. This fully endowed academic scholarship will be presented to students in accredited mortuary science degree programs in 2025.

Fundraising for this special scholarship continues; to make a donation to the Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship please visit: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/donate-tom-johnson/.

“We are thankful and appreciative of the generous pledges and donations we received on such a special evening, this speaks to the dedication of our wonderful donors and volunteers.” said John Heald, Chair of the Foundation. “The record amount raised in memory of Tom Johnson speaks to his legacy and impact on funeral service. The future recipients of the Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship will serve as a testament to Tom’s impact in our profession.”

The Funeral Service Foundation wishes to thank host association, the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association for its most generous gift of $10,000 that will be used for scholarships and educational support. Additionally, the Foundation thanks Funeral Services of Iowa (FSI), for their generous $10,000 contribution to the Foundation’s Crisis Response Fund, that will be used to help respond to the needs of funeral service professionals affected by man-made and natural disasters.

The Louisiana Funeral Directors Association and Funeral Service of Iowa (FSI) each made $10,000 donations to the Funeral Service Foundation at the Donor Reception.

Foundation Recognizes Scholarship Recipients

The Funeral Service Foundation’s investment in funeral service scholarships and professional development opportunities was highlighted at the 2024 All Star Recognition Ceremony held on Monday, October 21. Annually, the Foundation awards hundreds of individuals with the opportunity to attend accredited mortuary science programs throughout North America, and professional development opportunities such as NFDA’s Professional Women’s Conference, National Emerging Leaders Program and Meet the Mentors as well as the national conventions for the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the Cremation Association of North America, and the National Funeral Directors Association.
Tim Schramm, Foundation Grants Committee Chair; honored and recognized scholarship recipients at the event. This year, the foundation awarded 24 individuals who had their registration fees and accommodations to attend the NFDA’s International Convention and Expo underwritten by the foundation, listing below. Also recognized were recipients of scholarships and the professional development programs supported by the Foundation.

The Foundation awarded 24 scholarships to the 2024 NFDA international Convention & Expo. The scholarship recipients celebrate with the Foundation team.

2024 NFDA International Convention & Expo Scholarship Recipients:

Tiffany Aguilar
Aguilar Funeral Services
Mt Vernon, TX

Anthony Brayboy
Wylie Funeral Homes, P.A.
Baltimore, MD

Eldrick Brown
Roberts Funeral Home
Birmingham, AL

Libby Brown
Johnson Brown Funeral Service
Norwood, OH

Desirae Delgado
Harrell Funeral Homes
Austin, TX

Peter Dilwith
Mililani Memorial Park & Mortuary
Pearl City, HI

Myiesha Fields
Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations
Mansfield, TX

Dawn Gialet
Hainstocks Funeral Home & Crematorium-SCI Corporation International
Edmonton, AB

Brandon Griffin 

Bastrop Providence Funeral Home
Bastrop, TX

Shantelle Holts Joseph
Sid Roberts Funeral Home
Nacogdoches, TX

Peter Johnson
Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory
Pittsburgh, PA

Vincent Johnson
Greene Funeral Home
Alexandria, VA

Stephen Kemp
Kemp Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Southfield, MI

Melina Maslanka
Osceola Memory Gardens
Kissimmee, FL

Janet McGee
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN

Amy McMullen
DeBaun Funeral Home
Terre Haute, IN

Bethany Moscalink   

Paul G. Fink Funeral Home, Inc.
Connellsville, PA

Amber Perez
Heritage
Oak Creek, WI

Kelly Richmond
VanderLaan Funeral Home
Hudsonville, MI

Elysia Smith
Frank E. Campbell
New York, NY

Megan Smith
McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, NC

Savannah Toews
University of Northeast Texas
Mt Pleasant, TX

Linda Thrasher
F.L. Sims Funeral Home
East Point, GA

Allison Voorhess
Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Directors
Royal Oak, MI

LINKS:

• Funeral Service Foundation – Board Leadership Page:
https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/about/board-leadership/

• Funeral Service Foundation – Scholarship Recipients Page: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/scholarship-opportunities/our-scholarship-winners/

• Funeral Service Foundation – Executive Committee Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-25-Foundation-Executive-Committee.jpg?ver=1730902984

• Funeral Service Foundation – 2024-25 Trustees Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/7.-2024-2025-Foundation-Board-of-Trustees-scaled.jpg

• 2024 Golf Classic – Driving Range Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Golf-Classic-Driving-Range-scaled.jpg

• 2024 Golf Classic – John Faulk (SCI) Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Golf-Classic-SCI-scaled.jpg

• 2024 Golf Classic – Chris Cruger (Foresight) Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Golf-Classic-Foresight-scaled.jpg

• 2024 Golf Classic – Wilbert Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Golf-Classic-Wilbert.jpg

• Donor Reception – Jake Johnson Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Donor-Reception-Jake-Johnson.jpg

• Donor Reception – Bob Arrington Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Donor-Reception-Auctioneer-Bob-Arrington.jpg

• Donor Reception – Paddle Raise Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Donor-Reception-Paddle-Raise.jpg

• Donor Reception – LFDA Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/LFDA-at-NFDA-Convention.jpg

• Donor Reception – FSI Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/FSI-at-NFDA-Convention-scaled.jpeg

• 2024 NFDA International Convention & Expo Scholarship Recipients Photo: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-NFDA-Convention-Scholars.jpg

About the Funeral Service Foundation – FuneralServiceFoundation.org

Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission of lifting up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.