Sterling, Va. (June 10, 2026) – The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association's (ICCFA) Educational Foundation proudly announces the award of scholarships to attendees of the 2026 ICCFA University and the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA) Pet Loss & Integration Short Course.
Thanks to the generosity of ICCFA member donors who support education in deathcare, these scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to advance their professional development through ICCFA's premier educational programs.
The 2026 ICCFA University will be held July 17–22 in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing together deathcare professionals from across the United States and around the world for an immersive educational experience focused on leadership, management, operations, professional growth, and more. Held in conjunction with ICCFA University, the PLPA Pet Loss & Integration Short Course will take place July 17–20 in Atlanta, providing specialized education for professionals serving families through pet loss and memorialization.
The following ICCFA members will be attending the 2026 ICCFA University on scholarship thanks to the generous contributions of supporting donors:
- Tanisha-Lynn Ayotte, First Memorial Funeral Services Riverview Chapel
- Kenya Baker, City of Fort Lauderdale
- Zola Barnes, New Cathedral Cemetery
- Jenna Barron, Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
- Mario Bellos, Parques y Jardines de Cuscatlan
- Mel Bennett, Life Forest
- Chelsea Berkoff, Memorial Reefs International
- Kayla Bevill, American Crematory
- Courtney Bliss-Souda, North Shore Community College
- Alison Brettnacher, Baue Funeral Home Cave Springs
- Virginia (Jenni) Bryant, Smith Funeral & Cremation Service
- Korin Burnett, Historic Hollywood Cemetery
- Steve Burns, Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts
- Maria Fernanda Camacho Bonatto, El Campanario
- Heather Carlson, Pinelawn Memorial Park
- Anthony Carpinello, Diocese of Providence RI Catholic Cemeteries
- Craig Carter, Evergreen Cemetery of City of Colorado Springs
- Jessica Chatman, Williams Funeral Home
- Ana Clemente, Park Lawn Corporation – PLC Northeast
- Jamie Cotel, Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts
- Mac Dempsey, Leaf Cremation
- Frank DeStefano, Jefferson Memorial Cemetery
- Jason Diemer, Greenlawn Funeral Homes
- Tyler Dinkins, Leaf Cremation
- Brent Dotson, Dotson Funeral Home & Cremation
- Griselda Estrada Duron, Hughes Family Tribute Center
- Nathan Evans, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home and Crematory
- Armando Fajardo, Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange
- Lidia Flores, Parques y Jardines de Cuscatlan S.A de C.V.
- Raquel Flores, Inglewood Park Cemetery
- Mark Forney, Rolling's and Pinnacle Funeral Service
- Joshua Franco, Diocese of Providence RI Catholic Cemeteries
- Sheri Franklin, Northeast Texas Community College
- Keith Gillum, Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel & Bayview Memorial Park
- Tony Gilmer, Ott & Lee Funeral Home
- Jackie Grauert, Gethsemane Cemetery
- Michael Greene, Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home Westland
- Laura Greer, Passages International
- Makeba Gregg, Foundation Partners Group
- Rob Grzelak, Pinelawn Memorial Park
- Gwen Gustafson, Forest Hills Cemetery
- Taylor Hall, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home & Crematory
- Brittany Harris, Funerals by T.S. Warden
- Larry James Hawkins, Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath
- Gydell Brooks, Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, Crematorium & Cemeteries
- Brookle Hicks, Leaf Cremation
- Tyler Jacobs, Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home
- Peter (Pete) Johnson, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery
- Joelle Kerfoot Boaz, Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home & Cremation Services
- Jonathan Kind, Mt. Elliott Cemeteries
- Ryan Kinder, A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory
- Christopher Kitzman, Glen Eden Memorial Parks
- Allen Kurhajec, Pinelawn Memorial Park
- Abigail Lemley, Springfield Funeral Home
- Kevin Lowery, Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center
- Hoss Ludiker, City of Post Falls
- Lynn McClain, Harpeth Hills
- Katie Mcginnis, Rest Haven Memorial Park / Fidelity Memorial Park
- Marcelo Minatel, Jardim da Saudade
- Bruna Miranda, Jardim da Saudade
- Victoria Monforte, Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home
- Yanira Morales, Knollwood Cemetery Corp
- Alanna Navin, Restland Funeral Home & Cemetery
- Aubrey Obyrne, Compassionate Planning
- Robert O'Gara, Diocese of Providence RI Catholic Cemeteries
- Travis Otto, Professional Cemetery Services
- Maureen Owen, Newtown Village Cemetery Association Inc.
- Chris Palmer, Greenlawn Funeral Home, Inc.
- Nick Rainone, Diocese of Providence RI Catholic Cemeteries
- Thomas Jacob Rash, Harpeth Hills / Parklawn East
- Karyn Raub, Trinity Memorial Gardens & Mausoleums
- Jennifer Rebollar, Roosevelt Memorial Park Cemetery
- Melinda Redding, Baue Funeral Homes and St. Charles Memorial Gardens
- Jerri Reed-Taylor, Malcolm X College
- Charis Retherford, Prelude
- Keri Richardson, Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service & Renaissance Funeral Home
- Chanin Ricketts, Service Corporation International
- Kaytlin Rodgers, Greenlawn Funeral Home North
- Alejandra Ruiz, Parques y Jardines de Cuscatlan
- Michael Sauer, Murrieta Valley Cemetery District
- Branden Seid, Catholic Cemeteries of Oklahoma City
- John Sennhenn Jr., Floral Hills Funeral Home
- Amanda Smith, Smith Family Funeral Homes
- Kemberly Soria, Gethsemane Cemetery
- Jarell Springfield, Calumet Park Cemetery
- Patrick Stover, Pugh Funeral Home / Park Lawn Corporation
- Kimberly Sullivan, Arlington Memorial Park
- Brent Thomas, Dead Ringers
- Jammie Truax, Diocese of Gaylord and St. Mary Cathedral
- Delon Tucker, Prelude
- Valeria Vanderpool, Williams Funeral Home & Crematory
- Tyler Waud, Cairn Partners
- Lindsay Wentworth, Baue Cave Springs
- Chauntelle Wright, Blue Nebula Consulting
In addition to ICCFA University scholarships, the Educational Foundation awarded the following specialized scholarships:
PLPA Pet Loss & Integration Short Course Scholarships
- Keli Clark, Fort Myers Memorial Gardens
- Gia Kondakor, McAlister-Smith Funeral Home
- Lou Maldonado, City of Hobbs
- Ashley Nicks, Peaceful Paws Mortuary & Crematory
ABSFE-Accredited Mortuary Program Scholarships
- Madison Bowman, Mid-America College of Funeral Services
- Dustin Bunce, Kansas City Kansas Community College
- Scott Conte, North Shore Community College
- Abby Edwards, Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Lena Gangemi, Cape Cod Community College
- Hillary Self, Piedmont Technical College
ICCFA Women in Leadership Scholarship
- Rafaella Mayer, Memorial Cemiterio e Crematorio
Journey to Serve Scholarship
- Sabrina Young, Young's Daughters Funeral Home & Bereavement Center
"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."
Support the Future of Deathcare
These scholarships—and the opportunities they create—are made possible through the generosity of donors committed to the future of deathcare. The ICCFA Educational Foundation expands access to education and develops future leaders across the profession through scholarships, partnerships, and educational initiatives. Join us in strengthening the next generation of professionals by making a contribution to the Foundation today. To learn more or donate, visit iccfa.com/educational-foundation.
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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. Additional information about the ICCFA Educational Foundation, its scholarship programs, and educational initiatives is available at 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. To learn more, visit www.iccfa.com.
