ICCFA University 2025 Ignites Passion, Purpose, and Professional Growth in Deathcare

STERLING, Va. (August 6, 2025) – The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of ICCFA University 2025, held July 18–23 at the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The event welcomed 168 students from across the profession for an intensive week of education, inspiration, and personal growth.

Hosted annually, ICCFA University brings together deathcare professionals for a uniquely immersive educational experience unlike any other in the field. Students choose from nine colleges—including 21^st Century Services, Cremation Services, Hospitality & Customer Experience, Land Management & Grounds Operations, Leadership, Management & Administration, Technology, Sales & Marketing, Funeral Home Management, and the School of Graduate Studies—each offering expert-led instruction designed to challenge, engage, and elevate. College Deans and faculty members included some of the most respected educators and practitioners in the profession.

“This program continues to be one of the most meaningful and transformational experiences we offer,” said ICCFA Executive Director Nadira Baddeliyanage. “The diversity of curriculum, depth of faculty knowledge, and energy among students is unmatched. Our attendees don’t just gain skills—they gain lifelong mentors and colleagues.”

Classroom learning was only part of the impact. ICCFA University 2025 also fostered a powerful spirit of connection through evening events like Student Trivia Night and Sports Night and culminated in the University Graduation and Graduate Reception on July 22, celebrating both certificate recipients and those who completed their fourth college to officially become ICCFAU graduates.

Among the many highlights of the week was the graduation address delivered by valedictorian Sandra Goldman, who movingly captured the spirit of the University. “When we enrolled at ICCFA University, we expected education. What many of us did not expect was transformation,” she shared. “We thought we would fill our notebooks. Instead, we filled our hearts… We are not in the business of death. We are in the ministry of meaning.”

Sandra, who lives with metastatic breast cancer, offered a profound testimony of resilience and purpose. “Our work is not about what ends,” she told her fellow graduates. “It is about what remains. The story. The love. The meaning we leave behind.”

“Each year, I’m humbled to watch how this program helps shape the next generation of deathcare leaders,” said ICCFA University Chancellor Jeff Kidwiler, CCE, CSE. “From first-time students to seasoned professionals, everyone leaves here reenergized, refocused, and reconnected to the heart of what we do.”

“This event exemplifies the soul of our profession,” said ICCFA President Bob Gordon, Jr., CCE. “It’s one thing to teach skills; it’s another to cultivate excellence. ICCFA University continues to be a source of both.”

Planning is already underway for next year’s ICCFA University, which will return to the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta. ICCFA University 2026 will take place July 17–22, 2026.

For more information and updates, visit iccfa.com/university.

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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.

How Community, Passion, and the Right Support Turned a Vision into Reality

Owning a small business is more than just a job—it’s a commitment to serving others. For Mike McBride, a former police officer in New Hyde Park and dedicated funeral director, that commitment was made possible with the help of Live Oak Bank. With their support, Mike overcame financial challenges to purchase the funeral home he had managed for years, turning his passion for helping families into a thriving business that honors both his community and his family’s legacy.

Owning a small business is more than a job—it’s a commitment to serving others. This is a story of resilience, dedication, and community impact that highlights how a strong relationship with the right bank can transform dreams into reality. For a funeral home owner in New Hyde Park, New York, it wasn’t just about running a business; it was about honoring a legacy and serving the community with purpose.

The funeral home, established in 1956, has deep ties to the New Hyde Park community. Its owner, a former NYPD officer, wanted to pursue a second career after retiring young. Starting as a part-time pallbearer, he discovered his passion for funeral services, a profession that blends compassion and responsibility. When the opportunity arose to purchase the funeral home he had managed for decades, he turned to Live Oak Bank to navigate the complex financial process.

Live Oak Bank recognized that his goal wasn’t just about ownership but about continuing to care for families during their most difficult times. Financial hurdles, including a premium asking price, threatened the acquisition. However, through guidance and education, the bank worked to align the seller’s expectations with the buyer’s goals. Their relationship-first approach ensured a solution that worked for both parties, empowering the former officer to secure his dream of owning the business.

The story goes deeper. Years before this, the owner experienced a heartbreaking loss when his daughter Katie was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma. Despite a fierce battle, Katie passed away in 2008, leaving an irreplaceable void. Determined to keep her memory alive, he turned tragedy into purpose by creating Katie’s Run, an annual community event and fundraiser. What began with 300 participants grew to over a thousand registrants a decade later, becoming one of the community’s most cherished events. The funeral home became the epicenter of this movement, bringing people together to celebrate life, honor Katie, and make a difference.

Katie’s Run is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a reflection of the family’s passion and the community’s support. Volunteers, local organizations, and families come together every year, finding joy in knowing they’re part of something meaningful. From the children’s race to the award ceremony, every moment is filled with smiles, gratitude, and a sense of togetherness. People leave not only with memories but with the satisfaction of having made a difference.

This success story underscores the importance of relationships. Without Live Oak Bank’s guidance, the acquisition of the funeral home might not have been possible. By listening to the owner’s story, understanding his passion, and providing the right support, the bank helped transform a vision into reality. This relationship-based approach allowed the business to thrive while creating a legacy of love and service that continues to impact the community.

Small businesses like this funeral home are more than financial transactions; they are pillars of the community. When owners receive the right support—both emotionally and financially—they can overcome challenges, achieve their dreams, and make a lasting difference. Whether it’s guiding families during times of grief, organizing events to bring people together, or keeping a loved one’s memory alive, these businesses remind us of the profound role small businesses play in our lives.

Through compassion, community connection, and trusted relationships, businesses can grow into something far greater than themselves. This story proves that with dedication, support, and a commitment to serving others, dreams can be realized, and legacies can live on.

For more on Mike’s story: https://youtu.be/-MCG1lOEzis?si=-DVIVp_EAB3uBIki

For more information on Live Oak’s products and services contact Andrew Kennedy, VP of Funeral Home and Cemetery lending, at andrew.kennedy@liveoak.bank.