Preddy Funeral Homes Join Rollings Funeral Service Family

Peachtree City, GA – Rollings Funeral Service, one of the largest privately-owned funeral service operators in the United States, is proud to announce that Preddy Funeral Homes has joined its growing family of funeral homes.

The initial Preddy location was opened in 1916 in the town of Gordonsville, Virginia.  They added a second location in 1923 in the town of Orange. Recent generations expanded the Preddy footprint in 1994 by opening its third location in Madison County. Today, the three locations serve more than 500 families each year, and they are known regionally as one of the most respected funeral service providers in the greater Charlottesville area. 

“We are honored to welcome Preddy Funeral Home into the Rollings Funeral Service family,” said Greg Rollings, founder and Chairman of Rollings Funeral Service. “When I first met Randy and Shelly, I could see that we shared so many things in common in how we view the important role of funeral service in the community.” Greg added, “Their properties are impeccable, and their staff are some of the strongest we’ve seen in a family business.” He continued, “They’ve served the families in their area so well, and I committed to Randy that we will continue to support that same level of service going forward.”

The Preddy businesses will immediately gain access to Rollings accounting, legal and human resources support services. The staff, who all will remain in their current roles, will also gain tremendous operational support, and will be able to participate in career training and bonus programs. Families can expect the same high-quality care they have always received, now backed by one of the nation’s leading private funeral service organizations.

“This was obviously a big decision for us, but Shelly and I really wanted to stop working as hard and be able to travel a little more,” said Randy Preddy, the former owner. “At the same time, I grew up in these communities and feel a huge responsibility to make sure our friends are still taken care of well and fairly. As I got to know Greg and his team, I became comfortable that they have the same interests at heart,” he added. “I really feel like joining Rollings has addressed so many of our concerns.”

NewBridge Group assisted with the transaction. 

About Rollings Funeral Service

Rollings Funeral Service, along with their partner, Pinnacle Funeral Service, operate just under 100 funeral service locations across 20 states. Both companies are continuing to grow by acquisition. Funeral service owners that are interested in exploring a sale can contact Tony Kumming at tonyk@rollingsfuneralservice or call (813) 579-7048.

Anthem Partners Locations Join Life Celebration Network

July 23, 2025 – Anthem Partners, a leading operator of funeral homes and cemeteries across North America, is proud to announce that its locations have become partners of the Life Celebration Inc. network. Through this partnership, Anthem locations will gradually introduce the Life Celebration program across the Anthem network, offering families distinctive services and fully customized products that honor their loved ones while supporting the grieving and healing process.

As part of the rollout, each location will receive training from one of Life Celebration’s Certified Experience Economy Experts. These in-depth, hands-on sessions will equip the Anthem team with the tools and knowledge to deliver Life Celebration’s unique offerings.

“It hasn’t taken long to see the impact of Life Celebration at our funeral homes,” said Chad Jackson, Executive VP of Operations at Anthem Partners. “Life Celebration not only brings healing to families but has also sparked new energy within our staff. We’re excited to give our funeral homes the tools to create truly memorable experiences for the families they serve.”

Brian Givnish, Director of Training and Development at Life Celebration, stated, “Our passion lies in the Life Celebration experience—It is about the products we create and the associated strategies we implement. Through customization, those products act as a vehicle to drive unique experiences for every family. With our team of more than 30 Graphic Designers, we strategically help our partners provide high-quality keepsakes that are branded on the hearts and minds of every guest who encounters their funeral homes.

Jim Cummings, Vice President of Life Celebration, emphasized the deeper purpose behind the Life Celebration program: “We help create order out of chaos. Families leave Life Celebration services feeling informed, involved, and comforted—knowing they played a meaningful role in honoring their loved one’s life.”

As part of the Life Celebration network, every Anthem location will be better equipped to provide families with more personalized and meaningful memorial experiences. This association aligns with Anthem Partners’ mission to help funeral homes thrive through innovation, compassion, and exceptional service.

About Anthem Partners:  Anthem Partners is a privately held operator of funeral homes and cemeteries across North America. Founded by industry professionals and backed by long-term investors, Anthem is committed to honoring legacy, respecting community traditions, and supporting funeral professionals through sustainable growth. To learn more, visit www.anthempartners.com.

About Life Celebration Inc:  Founded by funeral directors for funeral directors, Life Celebration partners with firms to design personalized tribute products that support the healing process. All products are custom-designed and produced in-house by our graphic design team, leveraging advanced in-house print and digital equipment, and guided by Certified Experience Economy Experts to deliver truly one-of-a-kind memorial products. To learn more, visit www.lifecelebrationinc.com.

Tomorrow night is June 17th and it is the 3rd Tuesday of the month so that brings us the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) sponsored online Peer Support meeting.

The monthly Peer Support meetings are for all funeral home, cemetery, crematory, and other Death Care workers.

According to information from CANA, tomorrow night’s Peer Support meeting will be led by Glenda Stansbury who will facilitate “a discussion for funeral professionals on managing through chaos”.

Again, according to the CANA information Ms. Stansbury is “. .  a professional educator,Marketing & Development Director of InSight Books,and Co-Founder and Dean of InSight Institute Certified Celebrant Program.  Glenda Stansbury is uniquely skilled in facilitating this peer support meeting on navigating uncertainty and finding resilience.”

The meeting is live and online through a Zoom link.  It will take place on Tuesday, June 17, at 8 pm Eastern Time, 7 pm Central Time, and 5 pm Pacific Time.

For more information and to learn how to participate please click here.

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Join the Conversation: NFDA’s Digging In Discussion Series Kicks Off in April

 Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is pleased to announce the launch of Digging In, a new live, monthly virtual discussion series designed to foster networking and meaningful conversations among funeral service professionals. The inaugural discussion will take place April 23 from 6-7 p.m. CT. 

“Education is the foundation of professional growth, and Digging In offers a fresh way for funeral service professionals to continue learning outside of traditional settings,” said Sara Moss, a licensed funeral director and one of the Digging In moderators. “Through open discussions and shared experiences, attendees will gain practical knowledge that can enhance their work and deepen their connection to the profession.” 

This free series, open to both NFDA members and nonmembers, will, generally, take place on the fourth Wednesday of every month via Zoom. Each session will center around topics inspired by episodes of NFDA’s podcast, A Brush With Death, as well as other timely topics, providing participants with an opportunity to explore key industry insights, share experiences and engage in thought-provoking discussions. 

Moss is a Wisconsin licensed funeral director and NFDA’s associate director of education; she takes the lead on managing a variety of education programs including Meet the Mentors and National Emerging Leaders Program. Joining Moss as Digging In moderators are:

• Gabe Schauf, a Wisconsin licensed funeral director who hosts NFDA’s podcast, A Brush With Death. Schauf is also the Program Director and an Instructor for the Milwaukee Area Technical College Funeral Service Program.
• Lanae Strovers, an Iowa licensed funeral director and NFDA Trainer who travels the country leading the Arranger Training program and presenting other educational programs. 

“Every day, funeral directors face unique challenges, and having a strong professional network can make all the difference,” said Strovers. “Digging In is about creating a space where professionals can openly share insights, ask tough questions and support one another as we navigate this rewarding but demanding field.” 

“The best conversations in funeral service happen when people come together to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and learn from each other,” said Schauf. “Digging In takes that energy and brings it into a live format where professionals can engage in meaningful discussions that spark new ways of thinking.” 

Funeral professionals should mark their calendars for the first Digging In discussion on April 23, 2025, from 6-7 p.m. CT, featuring all three moderators as they introduce themselves and the vision for Digging In. The trio will engage Digging In attendees in a discussion of the March episode of A Brush With Death, “So You Hired an Apprentice – Now What?,” which explored common challenges and practical advice to help both mentors and apprentices have a successful relationship. Registration is now open for the first Digging In session. Funeral service professionals interested in participating can click here to join the chat. 

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 NFDA.org.

Join Us in San Antonio for the 2024 ICCFA Leadership Summit!

STERLING, VA (September 23, 2024)—The International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association (ICCFA) is excited to announce the 2024 ICCFA Leadership Summit, which will be held from October 15 to 17, 2024, at the prestigious St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. This year’s summit, designed with the utmost respect for your time and effort, promises to offer unparalleled opportunities for education, networking, and professional development tailored to today’s deathcare professionals’ unique challenges and needs.

What to Expect:

This year’s summit will feature insightful educational sessions, interactive workshops, and panel-style discussions led by some of the industry’s most respected leaders. Attendees will gain actionable insights on building a culture of excellence, leading with courage, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the deathcare profession, equipping them with practical strategies for their professional journey.

Key Highlights Include:

• Exclusive Educational Opportunities:
  • The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center will facilitate a hands-on workshop, “A Culture of Excellence: Building Success from Within,” focused on best practices for empowering employees and enhancing the customer experience.
  • Brave Leadership Through Boundaries and Beyond, a powerful session with executive coach Kristi Mallory, where attendees will learn to lead with empathy, competence, and courage.
• Advocacy and Legal Updates:
  • Stay informed about the latest regulatory developments with a Government & Legal Affairs Committee Meeting & Update. The session is open to all attendees and will feature discussions on current legislative priorities impacting the deathcare profession, moderated by industry experts.
• Networking & Social Events:
  • Welcome Reception: Connect with colleagues and industry leaders while enjoying stunning views from the St. A Sky Terrace.
  • ICCFA Golf Tournament: Play at the beautiful Brackenridge Park Golf Course in a 4-person scramble, with transportation provided to and from the course.
  • Wine Tasting: Unwind at The St. Anthony Hotel while sampling an exquisite selection of wines from Becker Vineyard.
  • Optional Off-Site Property Tour: Join us to tour Mission Park Funeral Chapels, Cemeteries & Crematories, the oldest family-owned cemetery in San Antonio and the first perpetual care cemetery in Texas. The tour begins at Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemetery Dominion, featuring memorials from the late 1800s. It concludes at the new, state-of-the-art Mission Park Funeral & Life Center NW Facility, which is not yet open to the public.

Why Attend?

• Advocacy: Learn about key legislative and regulatory efforts shaping the future of the deathcare profession and discover how you can get involved.
• Networking: Engage with fellow professionals, make lasting connections, and exchange ideas with industry leaders during exclusive receptions and social events.
• Education: Through hands-on sessions led by renowned experts, you can elevate your leadership skills and gain valuable tools to transform your organization.

Registration Information:

Online registration will remain open until September 26, 2024, at 11:59 PM EDT. Secure your spot today for this transformative event!

• Member Price: $905
• Non-Member Price: $1,105

Hotel Accommodations: The St. Anthony Hotel offers a luxurious and historic stay in the heart of San Antonio. Rooms in the ICCFA block are available at a discounted rate of $239 per night (excluding taxes and fees) and can be booked until September 20, 2024, at 11:59 PM EDT. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of San Antonio’s premier hotels!

For more information on the event, including the full agenda and registration details, visit https://iccfa.com/fall/. We welcome you to San Antonio for the 2024 ICCFA Leadership Summit!

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