2019 AFCCA Cemetery Maintenance Seminar Recap

On February 6th, 2019 we held another fantastic Cemetery Maintenance Seminar, held at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ. Thank you to David Walker and his staff for working so hard to make sure this event was the success it was!

We had a great lineup of speakers this year that covered everything from historical markers, lots and lots of soil and water conservation.

Thank You Speakers

Joe Ferrannini, Grave Stone Matter – “Historical Markers & Repairs”
Bob Franchetto, Horizon – “Stop Treating Your Soil Like Dirt”
Dr. Becky A. Ball, ASU – “Shedding a Little Light Underground: Basics of Soil Sustainability”
David Walker, Greenwood Memory Lawn – “Mausoleum & Niche Closing Best Practices”
Michael Parrish, UgMO Technologies – “Water Conservation Technology”

Backhoe Rodeo

Our backhoe rodeo was heavily participated in, and everyone had a great time. Thank you to Bruce Handley for coming down from Prescott to be our guest judge.

A big congratulations to our winners:

1st – Oscar Hernandez with Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
2nd – Barry Berkezchuk with Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery
3rd – Daniel Villadares with Valley of the Sun Cemetery

Invention Competition

Our Invention Competition had four entries this year, and it was very hard decision for our guest judges. Thank you to Cindy Lee with Pioneer Cemetery, Tony Garcia with Garcia’s Lowering Devices and Dan Salter for judging the competition.

1st Place went to Michael Martinez from Greenwood Memory Lawn for his invention of a Monument & Bench Lift.

2nd Place went to Eber Maldonado for creating a Mausoleum Crypt Template.

3rd Place went to Steve Vasquez from Greenwood Memory Lawn for his Lawn Crypt Lid Lift.

An honorable mention goes to Julian Virgen for his Dia de Los Muertos Festival Train.

Looking forward to see what everyone comes up with next year!