The 2026 AFCCA Annual Conference & Expo brought funeral, cemetery, and cremation professionals from across Arizona together in Scottsdale for several days of education, connection, professional development, and conversations about the future of the profession.
Centered around this year’s theme, Evolving Care: Leading the Future of Funeral & Cemetery Service, the conference explored how professionals and organizations can continue to grow and adapt while remaining grounded in the compassion, dignity, ethics, and service that define the profession.
Education for an Evolving Profession
Over two days, attendees participated in educational sessions covering some of the most relevant opportunities and challenges facing the profession today.
Sessions explored artificial intelligence and innovation, practical communication strategies, embalming science, ethical sales and community engagement, leadership and workplace culture, funeral pricing transparency, pre-need strategies, restorative arts, and the impact of intentional kindness in the workplace.
Attendees heard from Martha Thayer, Marnie Schubert, Jared Alvarado, Erin Creger, Michelle Horton, Victoria Shaffery, Autumn Rentmeester, and pre-need professionals Robert Day, William Bonacorda, and Dan Kientzel.
Beyond the classroom, attendees had opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, build new relationships, exchange ideas, and spend time with the exhibitors and supplier partners who support funeral, cemetery, and cremation professionals throughout Arizona and beyond.
Recognizing Service, Leadership & the Future of the Profession
The conference began with a meaningful opening ceremony that included the Presentation of Colors and AFCCA’s annual memorial tribute honoring colleagues, friends, and loved ones lost during the past year.
AFCCA was proud to recognize Nataleigh Smith as the 2026 recipient of the William Aaron Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship supports Chandler-Gilbert Community College Mortuary Science students who demonstrate leadership, passion for funeral service, high ethical standards, and a sincere commitment to caring for families.
Karen Darby-Battaglia was honored with the 2026 AFCCA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her years of service, leadership, mentorship, and dedication to the funeral profession.
AFCCA Executive Director Heather Pace was also honored with the 2026 President’s Award in recognition of 15 years of leadership, service, and dedication to the Association and Arizona’s funeral, cemetery, and cremation profession.
Congratulations to each of this year’s honorees, and thank you for your commitment to strengthening the profession and serving others.
2026 Annual Members Meeting
The AFCCA Annual Members Meeting provided members with important updates on the Association and the funeral, cemetery, and cremation profession.
Members received an update on AFCCA’s financial position and ongoing member engagement initiatives, along with reports from the National Funeral Directors Association, Chandler-Gilbert Community College Mortuary Science Program, AFCCA’s legislative representatives, and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
The ADHS presentation was particularly timely as establishments prepare for new rules taking effect July 4. Members had the opportunity to hear directly from state representatives about compliance priorities, inspections, documentation and recordkeeping, regulatory guidance, and the complaint and reconciliation process.
The membership also elected Directors to serve on the AFCCA Board. Victoria Shaffery was unanimously re-elected to serve an additional three-year term, while Joshua Daniel McDougal and Nadene Crandall were elected to the Board of Directors.
AFCCA extends its sincere appreciation to all candidates who stepped forward and demonstrated their willingness to serve the Association and profession.
Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors
The AFCCA Annual Conference would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.
Their investment allows AFCCA to provide high-quality education, bring respected industry speakers to Arizona, create meaningful networking opportunities, and continue supporting funeral, cemetery, and cremation professionals throughout the year.
National Funeral Directors Association – Conference Tote Bag Sponsor
Donor Network of Arizona – Breakfast Sponsor
Service Corporation International – Phoenix Market – Breakfast, Lunch, Student Support and Lanyard Sponsor
Handley Precast Systems – Lunch Sponsor
Matthews Aurora/Dodge – Conference Wifi Sponsor
Security National Financial Corporation – Wednesday Night President’s Reception
Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery – Breakfast Sponsor
Mickelson & Ray, Inc – Breakfast Sponsor
East Valley Firefighter Charities – Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee and Student Support Sponsor
Messinger Mortuaries Cemeteries and Crematories – Tuesday Night Welcome Reception
Thank You to Our Exhibitors & Supplier Partners
Our Expo Hall is an important part of the AFCCA Annual Conference experience, providing attendees with opportunities to learn about new products and services, strengthen existing partnerships, and build relationships with companies serving the profession.
AFCCA sincerely thanks our 2026 exhibitors and supplier partners:
- Funeral Home Gifts
- Express Funeral Funding
- Aftercare.com
- Nunez & Associates
- Frigid Fluid Company
- Funeral Directors Life
- Great Western Insurance/Wellabe
- Hope Through Healing
- A.D. Valor Technical Cleaning
- LiveControl
- Mickelson & Ray, Inc.
- The Messenger Co.
- Davey Tree Expert Co.
- American Crematory Equipment Co.
- Starmark
- Batesville
- KMI Columbaria
- Global Bronze Inc.
- Kindred
- AB Code 3
- Handley Precast Systems
- Sanders Family Transport
- PMRS
- Family Service Agency
- Coldspring
- PBF Manufacturing
- Hepburn Superior Inc.
- Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions/Matthews Cemetery Products/Dodge
- S&S Paving
- LDI Medical
We sincerely thank each of these organizations for investing their time and resources in AFCCA and Arizona’s funeral, cemetery, and cremation community. We encourage our members to continue supporting the companies and organizations that support our Association.
Thank You to Our Golf Tournament Sponsors
The 2026 AFCCA Annual Golf Tournament provided another opportunity for members and industry partners to connect before the official start of the conference.
A special thank you to PBF Manufacturing and Freddy Brown Jr. for once again sponsoring the tournament and for their continued support of AFCCA.
We also extend our appreciation to our Golf Tournament and Contest Hole Sponsors:
- Donor Network of Arizona
- Service Corporation International – Phoenix Market
- Handley Precast Systems
- Cholla Pavement Maintenance
- Coldspring
- Menke Funeral Home
- Johnson Consulting Group
- Hepburn Superior Inc.
- The Smile Zone
- Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home
- East Valley Firefighter Charities
Thank you for helping make this year’s tournament another successful start to conference week!
Thank You for Being Part of AFCCA
Finally, thank you to our attendees, speakers, volunteers, students, Board members, sponsors, and exhibitors for making the 2026 AFCCA Annual Conference a success.
Professional associations are built through participation. Every person who attended a session, visited an exhibitor, shared an idea, completed a survey, asked a question, volunteered their time, or simply took the opportunity to connect with a colleague contributed to this year’s event.
As the profession continues to evolve, AFCCA remains committed to providing the education, advocacy, resources, and professional community needed to support those who serve Arizona families every day.
Thank you for being part of AFCCA and for helping us continue leading the future of funeral and cemetery service. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
