At Everstory, we believe the strength of our organization begins with our people. By investing in professional development and creating opportunities to learn, collaborate, and grow, we continue building a culture focused on innovation, leadership, and meaningful service to families.
This year, Everstory proudly selected ten team members from across the organization to attend the 2026 ICCFA Experience in Fort Worth, Texas. Hosted annually by the International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA), the conference brings together professionals from across the funeral, cemetery, and memorialization profession to explore emerging trends, share best practices, and learn from industry leaders.
Throughout the week, attendees participated in keynote presentations, educational workshops, networking events, and interactive expo experiences covering topics such as aftercare, leadership development, AI and technology, green burial, memorialization trends, and strengthening the family experience.
The employees selected to attend represented a variety of roles, locations, and experiences across Everstory. Each attendee was chosen for their dedication to serving families, commitment to personal growth, and enthusiasm for bringing new ideas back to their teams.
What made ICCFA 2026 especially meaningful wasn’t just the ideas our team explored during the conference, it was how attendees returned ready to apply those insights in ways that strengthen the family experience, improve collaboration, and inspire innovation across Everstory.
Emily Henderson returned inspired by sessions focused on grief support and aftercare, bringing back ideas centered on supporting families beyond the service itself. She is currently working with her team to expand grief resources and building a grief library at her funeral home that offers meaningful tools and support for families navigating loss.
Scott Garrett introduced conversations around emerging technology, including NFC Tags, a small wireless chip that can store information and communicate with smartphones, that can help families access obituaries, memorial information, and resources through digital connections. His takeaways sparked valuable discussions around innovation, aftercare, and the evolving family experience.
Sabrina Gonzalez returned from ICCFA with valuable insights on cremation trends, memorialization preferences, and evolving consumer expectations within the profession. During a presentation with her team, she shared that nearly two in three Americans currently choose cremation, with projections estimating that number could rise to 78% by 2040.
Her takeaways sparked thoughtful conversations around how Everstory can continue adapting to the changing needs of families and communities while remaining committed to providing meaningful, personalized care.
From green burial conversations to community engagement strategies, attendees returned with ideas designed to strengthen how Everstory locations connect with the families and communities they serve.
For many attendees, the conference provided more than professional development. It reinforced the importance of their work and the impact they make every day.
Q: How Did Attending ICCFA 2026 Make You Feel About Your Work at Everstory?
A: Eddie McGlinn — “Attending ICCFA left me feeling very positive about the great work we do for our communities and families and also about the future of work in this industry and that we are helping lead the charge with Everstory.”
A: Tana Carter — “It made me feel that Everstory is committed to providing tools to the employees to help them excel in their positions. I also feel that Everstory is on top of the trends in the deathcare industry and continues to make adjustments to remain a top resource for families.”
A: Brandon Wunner— “I am proud to be a part of a company that took the time and money to better myself and each other. Thank you for the opportunity, it is something I will remember and take with me forever.”
Experiences like ICCFA 2026 demonstrate Everstory’s continued commitment to investing in people, encouraging leadership development, and creating opportunities for growth across the organization.
“By developing our people, we build a culture that values growth, connection, and leadership at every level; ultimately strengthening how we serve families. It’s one of the many ways we show our commitment to our employees, to the future of Everstory, and to the future of our profession.” — Megan Humphries, Vice President, People Development
The conversations, ideas, and inspiration sparked during ICCFA 2026 will continue influencing service, leadership, and family care across Everstory in the months and years ahead.
The Everstory Team attends the ICCFA President’s Awards Dinner and Ceremony.
From left to right: Lilly Donohue, Megan Humphries, Scott Drzweicki, Brandon Wunner, Trey McAvoy (front row), Kendra Stevens, Liz Coffelt, Teejay Johnson, Sabrina Gonzalez, Denise Rowe, Tana Carter, Eddie McGlinn, Walter Ringham (front row), Emily Henderson, Scott Garrett, Will Corbett
