ICCFA University
July 19-24, 2013
Fogelman Executive Center
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

See dozens of photos from the class of 2012 here

REGISTER NOW!

• Register online now
• Download the brochure
  
• Download the registration form

SEVEN COLLEGES IN 2013!

• 21st Century Services
• Cremation Services
• Embalming, Restorative Art & Other Care NEW!
  
• Funeral Home Management
• Land Management & Grounds Operations
• Leadership, Administration & Management
• Sales & Marketing
  

TWO GRADUATE PROGRAMS

• Master’s Program
• CEO Program

FAQs  |  Orientation

LETTER FROM THE CHANCELLOR
As the heartfelt accolades of the 2012 ICCFA University attendees were coming in last July, the wheels were already in motion for a better-than-ever 2013 ICCFA University, including the newly announced College of Embalming, Restorative Art & Other Care.

Based on past University momentum, you might want to register sooner than later. Class sizes are limited and 2013 looks to be a record breaking year. Everyone involved is proud to continue this one-of-a-kind educational opportunity by which thousands have already enriched themselves, their firms and ultimately their customers through superior, relevant service.

However, for the convenience of the pessimistically dower in need of a rationale for avoiding the “U,” here are some tortured excuses to stay at home and remain in mushroom mode.

Embalming, Restorative Art & Other Care

• Grandpa used to mix the chemicals in the funeral home basement and although we stopped that practice, I still embalm by gravity and prefer to avoid hearing about contemporary restoration practices or preparation for viewing of an un-embalmed dead person prior to cremation. Un-embalmed viewing is a sacrilegious concept.  
• As an experienced embalmer/restorative artist, you can’t tell me that dean Dr. Joe Marsaglia and the world-renowned practitioner instructors plus a room full of embalmers could possibly enlighten me about anything concerning the appearance of deceased people. Why, just last week I was standing at a casket next to the legally blind 88-year-old widow as she told me her deceased husband looked good.
  

J. Asher Neel College of Sales & Marketing

• I have too many sales already and can’t possibly handle more income.
• Dean Gary O’Sullivan is well respected, constantly applauded and the most sought-after sales trainer in the industry. I wouldn’t want to expose myself or my associate sales counselors to him.
  

Land Management & Grounds Operations

• Just because dean Gino Merendino successfully runs a multi-state company providing cemetery maintenance services doesn’t mean he might know something I don’t know.
• There can’t be anything new or a more efficient way to do things in a cemetery.

Funeral Home Management

• Just because dean Todd Van Beck wrote the book on operating a funeral home, doesn’t mean there’s anything there that my daddy didn’t teach me.
  
• I want to know how to get the shaving cream back in to the can, turn the time dial back to 1965 and have a reaffirmation of how to operate a funeral home just like my daddy and granddaddy. I sure don’t want to hear that there might be new or better ways to operate.
  

Cremation Services

• Just because dean Jim Starks is an experienced cremation compliance guy doesn’t mean there is anything in the curriculum for me or my staff to learn about cremation.
  
• I don’t care about being a Certified Crematory Operator or Certified Crematory Administrator, and certainly not about becoming a Certified Cremation Arranger. Our customers might spend more money, be better satisfied and we might earn more profit. I wouldn’t want that!
  

Leadership, Management & Administration

• I’m already a leader and I know this because the title on my business card indicates I’m in charge so I must be as good as it gets.
• Just because dean Gray Freytag earned his MBA with distinction from Harvard and is in charge of one of the largest, historic and prestigious combination properties in the country, doesn’t mean I or my staff could pick up any tidbits of knowledge from this program.
  

21st Century Services

• Doug Manning literally wrote the book on celebrant ceremonies and he and Glenda Stansbury have trained over 2,000 certified celebrants, but I refuse to try to better meet the needs of un-churched consumers (up to 4 out of 10 consumers depending on which survey you consider). I sure wouldn’t want more families calling my firm in their time of need just because we offer something they can’t get from the competition.
• Dr. Alan Wolfelt is our industry’s leading expert on the psychology of death and dying but I really don’t care how people feel nor do I have any interest to better understand them and their needs.
  

There you have it. 14 tortured excuses for ignoring the ICCFA University in 2013, the ultimate educational opportunity in our profession. Please email if you would like curriculum referrals or wish to speak with any of the deans. If you feel these excuses are boneheaded, misguided or ludicrous, the deans and I will look forward to seeing you and/or your associates in Memphis in July.

Ernie Heffner, CFuE
ICCFA University Chancellor
President, Heffner Funeral Home & Crematory
York, Pennsylvania
ernieheffner@hotmail.com

SCHOLARSHIPS
The ICCFA Educational Foundation, along with associations around the country, offer scholarships to those wishing to attend the ICCFA University. To find out more, click here.

COMMENTS

The overall experience was enlightening and very informative. The networking is great. All classes are interactive and all questions are encouraged and answered. It really is a career builder with useful information you can bring back to your workplace and implement immediately. Very highly recommended.

Kevin Ronayne, Catholic Cemeteries, Diocese of Brooklyn/St. Charles Cemetery, Middle Village, New York

Every year that I attend I am amazed how much I learn, how much information and tools were shared openly, and how much I am inspired to reach beyond and improve my company. The networking and resources available are outstanding at ICCFA University. ICCFA University’s deans and speakers are the best. It would take me years to accumulate the collective knowledge I have gained here at the university. Thank you!

Alesia Skinner, Paxtang Cemetery Association, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The connections I have made and the insight I have gained at ICCFAU are extremely valuable and eye-opening. I was very fortunate in being able to attend and I absolutely plan on coming back next year. It’s worth it! Thank you for giving us this opportunity to see what’s out there, what mind-states our industry is in and all it can be in the future. I still maintain that every funeral home in America can be a contemporary funeral home, regardless of price. I learned more about the service part of the funeral service industry in one week than I have in two years interning.

Heather T. Mitchell, Cascade Memorial, Bellevue, Washington

I was very impressed with how welcoming everyone was. All the returning students really went out of their way to make a connection with me and help me become comfortable. I was also very impressed with how everyone worked together and shared ideas. Great program. Can’t wait for next year!

Melissa Resich
Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, California

I truly believe this university should be a requirement by any company in this industry. I have been in this business for over a decade, and this was my first year attending. Like others, I find we can become complacent and stagnant in our thinking. Not only did we learn new and exciting things from our industry leaders, but I found myself saying, “Oh yeah, we used to do that. That does work. Why did we stop?” I strongly recommend the university to both “old dogs” as well as new people in our business.

Jeff Sultemeier
Lakeland Hills Memorial Park, Burnet, Texas

As a supplier, I can’t begin to tell you what this meant to me. I’ve been in this business 35 years, and I have never experienced anything like this before. I was convinced I knew everything there was to know about this business. Time to step back and pay just a little more attention to what my customers really need and experience on a day-to-day basis. Simply priceless!

Brett Coates
Biondan North America, Toronto, Ontario

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