Martha Thayer is the founder of Mortuary Training and works with funeral homes and associations on communication, training, policy, and professional practice. A longtime mortuary science educator with emeritus status, she pioneered the first fully accredited online mortuary science curriculum in the United States. She presents nationally on topics including AI, workplace challenges, and the evolving demands of funeral service.

AI in Funeral Service: Balancing Innovation with Compassion

Wednesday June, 3 • 9:30 AM

Session Description: Artificial intelligence is already influencing daily work across funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries. This session explores practical ways funeral professionals are using AI today, key risks related to accuracy and confidentiality, and simple strategies for adopting new tools while preserving professional judgment and compassionate service.

Learning Objectives

• Identify practical ways artificial intelligence is currently being used across funeral service operations, administration, and family-facing communication.
• Recognize potential risks related to accuracy, privacy, tone, and professional responsibility when integrating AI tools into daily work.
• Apply simple strategies for using AI as a support tool while maintaining authenticity, professional judgment, and service excellence.

 1 C Hour

Funeral Pricing Ethics in the Age of Transparency

Thursday, June 4 • 9:45 AM

Session Description: Funeral pricing is being viewed through a new lens as consumers access more information, compare providers more easily, and arrive better prepared for pricing conversations. This session explores the ethical challenges and opportunities created by increasing transparency and offers practical strategies for presenting pricing in ways that build trust, reduce confusion, and strengthen professional credibility.

Learning Objectives:
After attending this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify ethical considerations that influence how funeral pricing is communicated and understood by today’s consumers.
2. Recognize common sources of confusion or perceived pressure related to pricing structures and arrangement discussions.

Apply practical strategies to improve clarity, consistency, and confidence when presenting pricing information in modern funeral service environments.

 1 C Hour

Marnie Schubert is the CEO of Worthy Communication, a communications consulting firm based in Gilbert, Arizona. She has nearly 30 years of experience leading communication efforts for public and private sector organizations.

Prior to starting her company in 2024, Marnie served as Community Services Director for the Town of Queen Creek, AZ for nearly 17 years, where she was responsible for a wide range of nationally recognized communication, recreation, volunteer and tourism programs, special events and activities. She has also served as Director of Communications for the community of Celebration, Florida, recognized as “the town that Disney built,” and as Product Marketing Manager for Florida Today/USA Today.

In 2013, Marnie represented the State of Arizona in the Incident Command Center for the Yarnell Hill Fire/Granite Mountain Hotshot Memorials, focusing on international, national and local media, as well as communications designed to help residents better process and recover from the tragedy.

She has earned numerous awards from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), American Planning Association (APA) and others, including the 2019 Communications Team of the Year from PRSA Phoenix. Marnie served as President of 3CMA in 2022.

She earned her MBA from Benedictine University and has a bachelor’s in radio/television from the University of Central Florida.

When Emotions Run High: Practical Communication Strategies for Funeral Professionals

Wednesday June, 3 • 10:40 AM

When working with families navigating end-of-life situations, every interaction carries emotional weight. People are grieving, overwhelmed, and often managing complex family dynamics. In these moments, communication shapes the entire experience.

This session provides practical strategies to navigate emotionally charged situations with clarity, empathy, and professionalism. Learn how to de-escalate conflict, communicate effectively with overwhelmed families, and maintain compassion while avoiding burnout.

We will also address a key challenge across the profession: most complaints stem from miscommunication, not intent. Leaders will gain simple, realistic ways to strengthen communication and customer service across all staff, even in busy, resource-constrained environments.

Families do not see departments or divisions, they experience one organization. Clear, consistent communication across teams is essential to building trust during life’s most difficult moments.

Participants will leave with tools they can implement immediately to support their teams and serve families with confidence and care.

 1 C Hour

Erin Creger
Chief Sales Officer
Security National Financial Corporation:
Funeral Homes and Cemeteries Division

With more than 20 years of experience in sales leadership, Erin Creger is a dynamic force in the deathcare profession, known for building high-performing teams, driving sustainable growth, and inspiring those around her to lead with purpose and heart.

Her career is marked by a deep commitment to developing people. Erin has led, trained, and supported sales teams at more than 150 funeral homes and cemeteries nationwide, equipping both new and seasoned professionals with the tools, mindset, and structure needed to succeed. From revitalizing underperforming locations to creating scalable coaching systems, she brings a strategic yet personal approach to sales leadership.

As Chief Sales Officer at Security National Financial Corporation, Erin continues to champion a culture of excellence, growth and intentional success. She believes that when leaders light the way, clearly and consistently, teams don’t just perform… they thrive.

Erin serves on the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee and is a proud co-founder of the Death Care Collective, a national group devoted to supporting and uplifting women in the profession.

When she’s not coaching her team or on stage presenting, you can find Erin recharging in the Utah mountains or travelling with her husband and son; her favorite way to reflect, reconnect, and keep her own light shining bright.

Sales as Service | Connecting Through Community, Care, and Education

Wednesday June, 3 • 1:30 PM

 1 C Hour

This Little Light of Mine… and Yours | Be the Lantern, Not the Spotlight

Thursday June, 4 • 9:45 AM

 1 C Hour

Autumn Rentmeester’s energy and passion provides a fun and engaging learning environment for all ages. She brings over 20 years experience as a professional facilitator, trainer, and leader to your school or workplace. Every presentation will teach your audience something new about the practice of kindness, whether you are new to the Ben’s Bells mission, or have followed our progression for the last 20 years. Autumn is a local Tucsonan and enjoys supporting her community by volunteering with various non-profits, serving on multiple boards, and helping at her daughters’ schools.

A Conversation on Kindness

Thursday June, 4 • 12:15 PM

Learn about the science of kindness and the impact of building kind communities with Ben’s Bells. Discover how kindness supports connection and well-being, and explore ways to implement evidence-based practices as a powerful skill in daily life. This inspiring talk prepares audiences to practice intentional kindness and experience benefits to the self, the workplace, the community, and beyond.

 1 C Hour