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.

Lead with Purpose: Apply for NFDA’s National Emerging Leaders Program Today

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has begun accepting applications for the 2025-26 National Emerging Leaders Program. Since its inception, this transformative program has nurtured 58 funeral service professionals, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel as leaders in their funeral homes, communities, and the funeral service profession at state and national levels. 

This comprehensive year-long leadership experience will empowers 20 select participants to lead with vision, integrity and influence, providing them with tools and strategies to inspire and guide others. Additionally, participants will benefit from mentorship opportunities and high-level networking with leaders in the funeral service profession. 

The 2025-25 program will begin with a retreat at NFDA headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin, June 22-24, and conclude during the 2026 NFDA Leadership Conference. Participants will engage in approximately seven virtual learning sessions throughout the year, featuring insights from both funeral service experts and distinguished leaders from outside the profession. 

The NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program is open to all licensed funeral professionals in the United States and Canada – regardless of NFDA membership status – who are in the early stages of their careers (first-career funeral directors licensed at least three years or second-career funeral directors licensed at least one year). 

“Being part of something bigger than myself – a program dedicated to advancing the future of funeral service – has been an inspiring and humbling experience,” said Sarah Ziesmer, a 2024-25 National Emerging Leaders Program participant with Heritage Funeral Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Sharing space with like-minded, passionate individuals from across the country has been one of the most impactful aspects of the program. The knowledge and tools I’ve gained are invaluable, and I’m eager to bring what I’ve learned back to my team. My goal is to empower my staff, strengthen our services and contribute to the evolution of funeral service.” 

“As a participant in the National Funeral Directors Association’s Emerging Leaders Program, I found the experience to be invaluable for both my professional and personal growth,” said 2024-25 National Emerging Leaders Program participant Marshall Loring of Messinger Indian School Mortuary in Scottsdale, Arizona. “The program is thoughtfully designed to engage, support and develop future leaders in our profession. The mentorship from seasoned professionals was a cornerstone of the experience as well, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way.”

The National Emerging Leaders Program requires an investment of $1,500, covering retreat fees, registration for the 2026 NFDA Leadership Conference, approximately seven virtual learning sessions led by expert speakers and facilitators, printed educational materials, continuing education hours, and extensive networking opportunities. To help offset costs, participants will receive a travel reimbursement of up to $500 for the retreat and up to $500 for the 2026 Leadership Conference.    

For more information and to apply, visit NFDA.org/EmergingLeaders. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CST on April 15. Selected participants will be announced in early May. NFDA extends its gratitude to the Funeral Service Foundation for its generous support of the National Emerging Leaders Program. 

“Investing in leadership development ensures a stronger, more resilient future for the funeral service profession and the families we serve,” said John Heald, chair of the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees. “The Funeral Service Foundation is proud to support NFDA’s National Emerging Leaders Program, which empowers professionals to grow, connect and lead with purpose.” 

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.