Ray Frew, CCFE, Named Recipient of the 2026 ICCFA Educational Foundation Lasting Impact Award

Sterling, VA — November 12, 2025 — The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) proudly announces that Ray Frew, CCFE, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 ICCFA Educational Foundation Lasting Impact Award. This distinguished honor will be presented during the President’s Banquet at the 2026 ICCFA Experience on April 29, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Frew, the immediate past President and CEO of Green Hills Memorial Park and a past President of the ICCFA, has long been recognized as a visionary leader in the cemetery and funeral service profession. As a founder and early champion of the ICCFA Educational Foundation, he played a pivotal role in shaping its mission and ensuring that professionals across the industry have access to educational opportunities that enhance service, leadership, and compassion.

A Certified Cemetery and Funeral Executive (CCFE) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Frew’s career reflects integrity, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

“Ray’s vision and passion for education have shaped the very foundation of our profession,” said Gino Merendino, President of the ICCFA Educational Foundation. “He understood early on that by investing in education, we elevate not only individual professionals but the entire deathcare community. The opportunities he helped create continue to lift others up and ensure our profession grows stronger, more compassionate, and more capable every day.”

Beyond his professional contributions, Frew has devoted decades to community service in Torrance, California, where his leadership and generosity have left a lasting legacy. A Vietnam veteran, he has served on numerous civic and charitable boards, including the Red Cross Celebrity Golf Tournament, Torrance Symphony, and the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation. He is a past president of both the Del Amo Rotary Club and the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce and has chaired major fundraising initiatives for the Torrance-South Bay YMCA and the Little Company of Mary Community Health Foundation, together raising tens of millions of dollars for community development and healthcare.

Among his many civic achievements, Frew’s leadership with the Torrance-South Bay YMCA stands out as one of his most meaningful contributions. As Chair of the Building for Tomorrow Capital Development Program, he helped lead the organization’s most ambitious fundraising effort, which exceeded $4.6 million to build a state-of-the-art facility serving families across the South Bay. Through this role, Frew also played a pivotal part in forging a lasting partnership between the YMCA and the University of Southern California, creating programs to support military veterans and their families—a cause deeply personal to him as a proud Army and Vietnam veteran.

Through his work at Green Hills Memorial Park, Frew has also led one of California’s largest Memorial Day Observances for more than three decades, honoring veterans and first responders. His leadership and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including the J. Walker Owens Outstanding Volunteer Award, the George Whittlesey Award for Business Advocacy, and the Service Above Self Award from the Torrance-South Bay YMCA. In 2005, Frew was further recognized with the Torrance Distinguished Citizen Award, presented to individuals whose achievements are “significant to the community and to the welfare of the general populace.” He has also received the Community Partnership Award from the Switzer Center, an organization serving at-risk youth, and is a Founding Board Member of both S.C.O.R.E. (Spinal Cord Organization for Regaining Excellence) and the South Bay Children’s Orchestra.

Reflecting on his lifetime of service, Frew shared, “Acts of service have always given me a deep sense of purpose and gratitude. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside so many incredible people who share a commitment to helping others. When we give our time and energy to lift others up, the rewards reach far beyond ourselves—they strengthen our entire community.”

The ICCFA Educational Foundation Lasting Impact Award honors individuals whose lifetime of service has made a profound and enduring contribution to the advancement of education, leadership, and professionalism in the cemetery, cremation, and funeral service profession. For more information about the ICCFA Educational Foundation and the 2026 ICCFA Experience, please visit www.iccfa.com

The ICCFA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity, established to make education accessible to future leaders in the deathcare profession and thereby raise the standards of professionalism within the industry. To learn more about the work of the Foundation and upcoming educational opportunities, please visit iccfa.com/educational-foundation.  

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 is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home and crematory industries, supplier and related businesses worldwide. 

Celebrating Excellence: Jay Dodds Nominated for Lasting Impact Award

STERLING, Va. (Oct. 25, 2024) – The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA) Educational Foundation is proud to nominate Jay D. Dodds for the 2025 Lasting Impact Award. Mr. Dodds’ exemplary leadership, decades of service to the funeral and cemetery profession, and tireless commitment to serving families with compassion and integrity make him a distinguished candidate for this prestigious honor.

With more than 40 years of experience in the funeral and cemetery profession, Jay Dodds has held pivotal roles in shaping the profession’s future. Currently serving as chief strategy officer of Park Lawn Corp. (PLC), Mr. Dodds has been a driving force behind some of the country’s most successful funeral service organizations. His leadership at PLC and in prior roles has given him extensive experience managing funeral and cemetery businesses in the U.S. and Canada.

A licensed funeral director and embalmer in Texas and New Mexico and a certified cremation operator, Mr. Dodds has been at the forefront of setting standards for funeral service operations. As the founder, former president, and chief operating officer of Signature Group, Jay introduced innovative business practices that improved operations and maintained the compassionate care essential to the profession.

“Beyond his business acumen, Mr. Dodds has been a dedicated advocate for the funeral profession. His service includes leadership roles such as past president of the ICCFA, trustee emeritus for both the Funeral Service Foundation and the Educational Foundation, and a Pierce Mortuary Colleges board member. Through these roles, Jay has significantly contributed to advocating for best practices and ensuring the future growth of the profession through education,” said Gino Merendino, president of the ICCFA Educational Foundation.

Jay’s leadership during his two terms as ICCFA president, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, exemplifies his commitment to the profession. He endorsed the creation of a Disaster Management Committee, a multidisciplinary team that tackled travel concerns, committal services, and employee safety during the pandemic. His leadership ensured that funeral service providers could continue to serve families with dignity and respect while establishing safety standards that would have a lasting impact on the profession.

Under his guidance, the ICCFA continued its operations and expanded its outreach, providing invaluable legislative guidance, professional resources, and numerous online educational opportunities. His efforts were instrumental in growing the association’s membership to more than 10,000 members, a remarkable achievement during such challenging times.

In nominating Jay D. Dodds for the Lasting Impact Award, the ICCFA Educational Foundation recognizes a career of excellence, compassion, and leadership. His tireless efforts have shaped the profession, and his mentorship has paved the way for future professional leaders. Jay Dodds truly deserves this award.

The ICCFA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity, established to make education accessible to future leaders in the deathcare profession and thereby raise the standards of professionalism within the industry. To learn more about the work of the Foundation and upcoming educational opportunities, please visit iccfa.com/educational-foundation.

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 is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home and crematory industries, supplier and related businesses worldwide.