AFCCA 2025 Year-End Report

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Dear AFCCA Members,

What a year. As we wrap up 2025, we want to take a moment to thank each of you for being part of this community — your time, energy, feedback, and commitment to professionalism and compassion keep AFCCA alive and growing.

What We’ve Accomplished Together

Providing Critical Updates & Regulatory Guidance

  • This year, we shared regular updates on the rule-making process by Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) for the new Human Remains regulations. Members stayed informed as consolidated draft rules (Articles 1–4) were posted and an open public comment period was announced.

  • We issued guidance on “Recent Observations During Compliance Inspections” — flagging common compliance issues (crematory premises cleanliness, decedent storage conditions, record-keeping, license posting, etc.) to help our members stay proactive.

Supporting Education & Family-Centered Planning

  • AFCCA notified members about new resources from National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), including an expanded suite of “Remembering A Life” conversation cards — covering preplanning, funeral planning, and aftercare — to help funeral professionals guide families toward meaningful tributes.

  • We shared a valuable resource encouraging support for veterans: the national “Plan Today, Honor Forever” campaign by National Cemetery Administration (NCA), raising awareness among funeral professionals and families about VA burial and memorial benefits.

Transparent, Fair Membership & Supplier Partner Dues Structure

  • After careful review, the AFCCA Board voted to implement a new Progressive Per-Location Dues Model, effective January 1, 2026 — a structure designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and predictable budgeting for all members and supplier partners.

Gathering, Celebrating, and Connecting Our Community

We didn’t just do policy and compliance this year — we connected face-to-face, had fun, and built stronger community ties.

  • The 2025 AFCCA Annual Conference was a milestone. Under the theme “Beyond Tradition: Shaping the Future of Funeral Service”, we explored innovations in our field, ethical business practices, and strategies for evolving while honoring our core values. The conference featured inspiring speakers, a memorial tribute to those we lost, and celebrated excellence with awards including Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Supplier Partner of the Year Award, and student scholarships.

  • We installed the 2025–2026 Board of Directors, welcoming new leadership while acknowledging our returning members.

  • The 2025 AFCCA Fall Mixer and fundraiser brought over 170 people together for dinner, drinks, games, a 50/50 raffle and “Pick-a-Prize,” all in support of AFCCA and the AFCCA Foundation for Children. It was a night of laughter, generosity, and community — exactly what AFCCA is all about.

Honoring Excellence in 2025

This year we had the privilege of recognizing individuals whose leadership, service and dedication continue to elevate the funeral and cemetery profession in Arizona. These honorees represent the best of who we are and the values AFCCA stands for.

William Aaron Scholarship Recipients

Supporting future professionals is one of the most meaningful things we do. This year we proudly awarded the William Aaron Scholarship to two outstanding students.

  • May 2025 Cohort
    Sabrina Martin

  • December 2025 Cohort
    Veronica Rapier

Lifetime Achievement Awards

These awards honor professionals whose long-term contributions have shaped our field and strengthened the communities we serve.

  • Rory McKeown – The Dodge Co.

  • Dave Petermeier – Coldspring

  • Daniel Salter – Dignity Memorial

Supplier Partner of the Year Award

Recognizing exceptional partnership, service and leadership from within our supplier community.

  • Anne-Marie Harris – Mickelson & Ray

Congratulations to each of these individuals for their impact, leadership and unwavering dedication to the profession. Their work inspires all of us and continues to elevate funeral service across Arizona.

Thank You, Members — For Showing Up

Whether you read our regulatory updates, joined a webinar or conference, engaged with new tools, or came out to events — thank you. Because of your involvement:

  • We stay ahead of changing regulations and standards.

  • We help families plan with care and dignity.

  • We lift each other up — professionally and personally.

  • And we build community.

What’s Ahead in 2026

As we look ahead, we plan to:

  • Continue advocacy and support around compliance, licensing, and regulatory change.

  • Offer more educational resources and tools for you to serve families and communities with excellence.

  • Expand opportunities for members to connect, learn, and support one another — through conferences, events, and beyond.

  • Maintain transparency and financial stability with our new dues structure, ensuring AFCCA remains responsive to members’ needs.

From the bottom of our hearts: thank you. We wouldn’t be AFCCA without you.

In appreciation and hope for what’s next,
Your AFCCA Board & Leadership Team