Beyond Tradition: 2025 AFCCA Annual Conference Recap

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As the funeral and cemetery industry evolves, professionals must navigate the delicate balance between honoring tradition and embracing progress. That’s why this year’s 15th Annual Arizona Funeral Cemetery and Cremation Association Conference centered around the theme:

Beyond Tradition: Shaping the Future of Funeral Service

Throughout the event, we explored the latest innovations, ethical business practices, and impactful strategies transforming our profession. From technology and employee engagement to FTC compliance and the growing demand for personalization, the sessions empowered attendees with the tools and insights needed to stay relevant—while holding fast to the values of compassion and integrity.

We would like to thank everyone who attended and made this milestone year such a success!

A Powerful Start

We opened with a Presentation of Colors by the Phoenix Fire Department Honor Guard, followed by the AFCCA Memorial Video, which paid tribute to colleagues and loved ones we lost this year.

🎥 Watch the Memorial Video

Conference Speakers Who Inspired Us

  • Jake Johnson – How to Enhance the Customer Experience and the Value it Brings to Your Organization

  • Caleb Linh & Jenny Krulewich – Aging with Dignity and Next Steps Beyond the Funeral

  • Martha Thayer – Presenting the Final Gift of Goodbye & FTC Funeral Rule Updates

  • Rory McKeown – Formaldehyde-Free Embalming / Green Embalming

  • Terri Waibel – Our Hearts Matter Too: Mitigating Compassion Fatigue in Death Care Work

These sessions pushed us to think beyond tradition—toward what’s possible when we innovate with intention.

Welcoming the 2025–2026 Board of Directors

We were proud to install our new board during the Annual Members Meeting. Please join us in welcoming:

  • Crystal Howard

  • Matt Asta

  • Madison Dowers

They will join our remaining board directors:

  • Megan Millage, President
  • Sabrina Messinger, Vice President / President-Elect
  • Christopher Hopkins, Past President
  • William Patterson, Treasurer
  • Kelly Browder, Secretary
  • Elisa Krcilek
  • Victoria Shaffrey
  • Trena McSwain

We’re grateful for their leadership and service to AFCCA and its members.

Honoring Excellence

William Aaron Scholarship Recipient
Sabrina Martin

Lifetime Achievement Awards

  • Rory McKeown – The Dodge Co.
  • Dave Petermeier – Coldspring
  • Daniel Salter – Dignity Memorial

Supplier Partner of the Year Award

  • Anne-Marie Harris – Mickelson & Ray

Congratulations to each of these individuals for their impact, leadership, and dedication to the profession.

Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors

Your support helped us elevate this year’s conference—thank you!

  • Matthews Memorialization – Name Badges and Lanyards

  • NFDA – Conference Tote Bags

  • PBF MFG – Title Sponsor of our Golf Tournament at TPC Golf Course

  • Evergreen Mortuary Cemetery & Crematory – Program Printing + Co-Sponsor of the Wednesday President’s Reception

  • Dignity Memorial Phoenix Market – Tuesday Welcome Reception Hosted Bar

  • Messinger Mortuaries, Cemeteries and Crematories – Tuesday Welcome Reception Appetizers

  • Handley Precast Systems – Co-Sponsor of Wednesday President’s Reception

  • Donor Network of Arizona – Wednesday Breakfast Co-Sponsor

  • Mountain View Funeral Home – Wednesday Breakfast Co-Sponsor

  • East Valley Firefighter Charities – Wednesday Breakfast, Coffee Break Sponsor, Thursday Lunch Sponsor

Golf Hole Sponsors

Thank you to the following businesses for supporting our 2025 Golf Tournament:

  • Handley Precast Systems

  • Whitney & Murphy

  • PBF Mfg

  • Coldspring

  • Dignity Memorial Phoenix Market

  • Hepburn Superior US Chemical

  • Menke Funeral Home

  • Donor Network of Arizona

  • Funeral Directors Life

  • Johnson Consulting Group

  • Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery

  • Starmark

  • Viewlogies

2025 Expo Hall Exhibitors

A big thank you to the 24 supplier partners and service providers who showcased their latest offerings:

  • American Crematory Equipment

  • Batesville

  • Cargo Sales International

  • Coldspring

  • Dodge Co.

  • Express Funeral Funding

  • Frigid Fluid Company

  • Funeral Directors Life (FDL)

  • Global Bronze

  • Great Western Insurance / Wellabe

  • Handley Precast Systems

  • Hepburn Superior

  • Matthews International

  • Messenger

  • Mickelson & Ray

  • Nunez & Associates

  • PBF MFG

  • PMRS

  • Starmark Funeral Products

  • T.A.C.T. 48 / AZ

  • The Davis Whitehall Co.

  • Valor Technical Cleaning

Looking Ahead

Even without an official photo album this year, we know the memories, connections, and conversations from this event will carry forward. We hope you left feeling reenergized, equipped with new tools, and inspired to shape the future of funeral service—Beyond Tradition.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!