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.

ICCFA Educational Foundation Awards 97 Scholarships to 2025 ICCFA University Attendees

STERLING, Va. (June 4, 2025) – The International Cemetery, Cremation, & Funeral Association’s (ICCFA) Educational Foundation proudly announces the award of 97 scholarships, thanks to the generosity of donors who value educational opportunities for deathcare professionals. These scholarships will enable recipients to attend the 2025 ICCFA University at the Emory University Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 18-23. Scholarship recipients, representing ICCFA members from 25 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, as well as Canada, China, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Jamaica, will have the opportunity to learn from deathcare innovators and experts. 

The following ICCFA members will be attending the 2025 ICCFA University on scholarship thanks to the generous contributions of our supporting donors:

1. John Blevins, Williams Funeral Home | Columbia, TN
2. Mark Bodicky, Global Atlantic Financial Group | Batesville, IN
3. Angela Bowling, Woodland Cemetery | Dayton, OH
4. Sharael Bowman, Vine On Angel Wings Crematory LLC | Dayton, OH
5. Anthony Bracy, Bracy Funeral Service Group/Collins Funeral Home | Camden, SC
6. Cassandra Bracy, Bracy Funeral Service Group/Collins Funeral Home | Camden, SC
7. Gydell Brooks, Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Cemetery | Bossier City, LA
8. Virginia “Jenni” Bryant, Smith Funeral & Cremation Service | Maryville, TN
9. James Burton, Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science/Webb Noonan Kidd SCI | Cincinnati, OH
10. Elizabeth Capetillo, Inglewood Park Cemetery | Inglewood, CA
11. Sandra Carlin, Cape Cod Community College | Plymouth, MA
12. Anthony Carpinello, R.I. Catholic Cemeteries Diocese of Providence | Cranston, RI
13. Nancy Chapa, Serenity Fields | Mission, TX
14. Denise Childress, Curlew Hills Memory Gardens | Palm Harbor, FL
15. Lauren Christakos, Arlington Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home | Cincinnati, OH
16. Gordon Chuck, Sam Isaacs & Son Funeral Home | Kingston, Jamaica
17. Carlos Culqui, Inglewood Park Cemetery | Inglewood, CA
18. Michelle D’Aquin, Garden of Memories Funeral Home and Cemetery | Metairie, LA
19. Brittany Davis, Funerals by T.S. Warden | Jacksonville, FL
20. Sarah Dawber | Buchanan Group Inc. | Indianapolis, IN
21. Mac Dempsey, Leaf Cremation | Kennesaw, GA
22. Tyler Dinkins, Leaf Cremation | Columbus, OH
23. Christina Fournier, John A Gentleman & Heritage Family | Omaha, NE
24. Jessica Fulford, Fountainhead Funeral Home – SCI | Palm Bay, FL
25. Lorena Garcia, Inglewood Park Cemetery | Inglewood, CA
26. Tony Gilmer, Ott & Lee Funeral Home/Lakeland Place Memorial Park | Brandon, MS
27. Sandra Goldman, Hebrew Cemetery Association of Greater Charlotte | Charlotte, NC
28. Daniel Gonzalez, Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association | Clinton Twp, MI
29. Jacquelin Grauert, Gethsemane Cemetery | Reading, PA
30. Michael Greene, Chapel of the Chimes Westland | Westland, MI
31. Gwen Gustafson, Forest Hills Cemetery | Boston, MA
32. David Gutierrez, Parques y Jardines de Cuscatlan | San Salvador, El Salvador
33. Larry Hawkins, Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Cemetery | Bossier City, LA
34. Cole Held, West Hills Memorial Park | Yakima, WA
35. Bailee Helton, Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association | Clinton Twp, MI
36. Brookle Hicks, Leaf Cremation | Kennesaw, GA
37. Shane Hinds, Carraige Services | Houston, TX
38. Shantelle Holts Joseph, Tidewater Community College/ Sid Roberts Funeral Home | Nacogdoches, TX
39. Aesha Humphrey, Marcom-Harvey Funeral Care | Kansas City, MO
40. Peter Johnson, Jefferson Memorial Cemetery and Funeral Home | Pittsburgh, PA
41. Benjamin Jones, Vineyard City | Vineyard City, UT
42. Marcus Julian, Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association | Clinton Twp, MI
43. Joelle Kerfoot, Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home & Cremation Services | LaGrange, KY
44. Dan Kientzel, Service Corporation International / Dignity Memorial | Houston, TX
45. Jonathan Kind, Gethsemane Cemetery | Clinton Twp, MI
46. Ryan Kinder, AS Turner & Sons | Decatur, GA
47. Jun Li, Fu Shou Yuan International Group | Shanghai, China
48. Ashlie Lobeck, City of Hobbs | Hobbs, NM
49. Kevin Lowery, Greenlawn Funeral Homes, Crematory, and Monument Center | Springfield, MO
50. Lou Maldonado, City of Hobbs Parks and Open Space Department | Hobbs, NM
51. Lynn McClain, Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, Funeral Home & Cremation Center | Nashville, TN
52. Andrew McIntosh, Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, Crematory and Gardens | Dowagiac, MI
53. Alexander Mcintosh, Mission Hills | Niles, MI
54. Marcelo Minatel, Gethsemane Cemetery | Curitiba, Puerto Rico
55. Victoria Monforte, Cherokee Memorial Park and Funeral Home | Lodi, CA
56. Alanna Navin, Restland Funeral Home & Memorial Park | Dallas, TX
57. Craig Nichols, Mountain View Cemetery | Rapid City, SD
58. Jonathan Nixon, R.I. Catholic Cemeteries Diocese of Providence | Cranston, RI
59. Aubrey O’Byrne, Compassionate Planning LLC | Reading, PA
60. Robert O’Gara, R.I. Catholic Cemeteries Diocese of Providence | Cranston, RI
61. Arlette O’Rourke, Sacred Grove | Saint Stephen, SC
62. Tamala Randolph, Last Responder Solutions LLC | Wellford, SC
63. Jennifer Rebollar, Roosevelt Memorial Park Cemetery | Gardena, CA
64. Melinda Redding, Baue Funeral Homes/St. Charles Memorial Gardens | St. Charles, TX
65. Jerri Reed-Taylor, Malcolm X College Mortuary Science Program | Chicago, IL
66. Chanin Ricketts, Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery & Myrtle Hill Memorial Park | Tampa, FL
67. Joe Romero, North Texas Funeral Homes | Hurst, TX
68. Ton SaeChao, Cherokee Memorial Park and Funeral Home | Lodi, CA
69. George Schramm, Vineyard City | Vineyard, UT
70. Taylor Scott, Leaf Cremation Georgia | Kennesaw, GA
71. Karen Scott, Malcolm X College/Wallace Broadview Funeral Home | Chicago, IL
72. Branden Seid, Resurrection Cemetery | Oklahoma City, OK
73. John Sennhenn Jr., Spring Grove, | Cincinnati, OH
74. Susan Short, Baue Funeral Homes | Saint Charles, MO
75. Ashlyn Smith, Greenlawn Funeral Home | Springfield, MO
76. Kemberly Soria, Gethsemane Cemetery | Reading, PA
77. Kadi Strednak, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | Pittsburgh, PA
78. Gail Stuart, The McDougald Funeral Home | Anderson, SC
79. Lindsey Stuffle, Cole and Garrett Funeral Home | Goodlettsville, TN
80. Arian Teran, Jardines De Manabí | Portoviejo, Manabi, Ecuador
81. Gabriela Teran, Jardines De Manabí | Durán, Guayas, Ecuador
82. Maria Lourdes Teran, Jardines de Manabí | Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador
83. Jamie Thomas, Thomas Consulting | Mooresville, IN
84. Brent Thomas, Thomas Consulting Group/Dead Ringers | Mooresville, IN
85. Veronica Van Hof, Baltimore Humane Society Memorial Park | Reisterstown, MD
86. MyEtta Vance, Eden Terrace Memorials, LLC | Jackson, MS
87. Vercell Vance, Eden Terrace Memorials, LLC | Jackson, MS
88. Heather Vandegejuchte, Roberts of Ocala | Ocala, FL
89. Jared Vincent, R.I. Catholic Cemeteries Diocese of Providence | Cranston, RI
90. Tyler Waud, Cairn Partners | Tualatin, OR
91. Kathi Wells, Global Atlantic Financial Group | Maitland, FL
92. Michael Welsh, Gary Diocesan Cemeteries | Hammond, IN
93. Tim Weston, Greenlawn Funeral Home North | Springfield, MO
94. Sarah Whitaker, webCemeteries | Kutztown, PA
95. Spencer Wilson, Biondan | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
96. Calvin Witcher, Inglewood Park Cemetery | Inglewood, CA
97. Jenna Wolfgang, Williams Funeral Home | Columbia, TN

“Each year, it’s inspiring to witness the passion and potential of those entering and advancing within the deathcare profession,” said Gino Merendino, President of the ICCFA Educational Foundation. “These scholarships are more than financial support — they are an investment in people who are dedicated to compassion, service, and continuous growth. We’re proud to help open doors to education and leadership development through ICCFA University, and we’re deeply grateful to the donors who make it all possible.”

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The ICCFA Educational Foundation, founded in 2005, seeks to make education accessible to future leaders of the deathcare profession. It does this by awarding scholarships to the educational programs of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, as well as advancing initiatives designed to promote the profession and support the individuals who answer the call of service. 

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 suppliers and related businesses worldwide.

Mercy University and the Pierce Colleges of Funeral Service Sign Articulation Agreement for Operations Management Degree

This agreement enables Mercy University to offer Pierce Colleges graduates a unique  pathway to business management.    

Dobbs Ferry, New York – Today, Mercy University announced it has signed an articulation agreement with the Pierce Colleges of Funeral Service to offer a new pathway in its business program in Operations Management that aims to provide funeral service students and professionals with the skills necessary to effectively manage a funeral home or establish their own business. Through this first-of-its-kind pathway, current students and graduates with an associate’s degree in Mortuary Science can now earn a bachelor’s degree in business management in as little as 12 to 18 months. Enrolled students can earn their associate’s and bachelor’s degree concurrently or continue on to the bachelors program after graduating from the Pierce Colleges.

To learn more about Mercy’s Organizational Management: Funeral Home Management      pathway and how to apply, go to https://www.mercy.edu/academics/school-business/organizational-management-funeral-home-management.

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About Mercy University

Mercy University is an independent, coeducational institution serving more than 9,000 students each year across campuses in Westchester, the Bronx, and Manhattan, as well as online. It is a federally designated minority-serving institution and the largest private Hispanic Serving Institution in the state of New York. Mercy offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificate programs within six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The institution also provides non-credit courses and certificates for adult learners looking to acquire new skills through CERTiFi by Mercy University. Founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy, the mission of transformative education remains strong. For more information, visit www.mercy.edu.

About Pierce Colleges of Funeral Service

Pierce Mortuary Colleges have provided outstanding education to students pursuing a career in funeral science for over 54 years. Their schools are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, an agency recognized by the United States Department      of Education. Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, and Mid-America College of Funeral Service are single purpose institutions offering the Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service.  For more information, visit www.pierce.edu.

About Vector Dimensions LLC

Vector Dimensions LLC (Vector D) was formed by experienced higher education administrators and faculty consisting of a fourth-generation licensed funeral director, the grandson of a funeral director, and a business and economics professor associated with New York and Long Island universities. Formed by Brian Kasler, it seeks to provide educational pathways and instruction, and bring innovative technologies, to the fields of funeral service and mortuary science, through innovation in education and instructional course design.