Expand, Integrate, Connect: Register for the 2025 PLPA Pet Loss & Integration Short Course

STERLING, Va. (June 4, 2025) – As more families view pets as members of the family, the demand for compassionate, professional pet loss care continues to grow. The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA) is proud to host the 2025 Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA) Pet Loss & Integration Short Course, taking place July 18–20 at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. This intensive, two-day course is designed to equip deathcare professionals with the tools, strategies, and knowledge needed to establish and elevate pet loss services within their businesses.

Led by PLPA Committee Chair Lauren Blevins Hogan, CCFE, CPLP, the course will feature a diverse lineup of expert instructors and engaging sessions. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your existing pet program, this event offers actionable strategies and real-world guidance you can bring back to your business right away.

Educational sessions include:

• Developing a Pet Program
  Andrew Parsell, Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium & Parsell Pet Crematorium
  Learn how to identify market needs, establish a pet program from the ground up, and effectively serve the growing “pet parent” community.
• Legal Matters with Pet Burial and Cremation
  Poul Lemasters, Esq., ICCFA General Counsel
  Explore liability risks, regulatory challenges, and how historical trends can help you prepare for the future of pet deathcare.
• Embracing Pet Loss: Bringing Families Back
  Tony Armogida, Global Atlantic Financial Group
  Discover how to transition pet cremation experiences into conversations about human funeral preplanning and deepen family relationships.
• Best Practices in Pet Loss Integration
  Lauren Blevins Hogan, CCFE, CPLP, Park Lawn Corporation
  Hear firsthand strategies and lessons learned from integrating a successful pet program into an existing funeral home model.
• Pet Cremation 101: Tips, Tricks, and Operational Best Practices
  Larry Stuart Jr., Raven Plume Consulting
  Enhance your crematory operations with actionable insights on equipment maintenance, respectful handling, eco-conscious practices, and more.
• Creating Spaces for Pets in Your Cemetery Development Plan
  John Bolton, CCE, CCrE, CXE, CSE, Park Lawn Corporation
  Learn how to design and implement pet memorial areas in cemeteries and understand the ROI of this growing service offering.
• Phone Etiquette for the Pet Loss Profession
  Nicki Wiedeman, CSE, Dead Ringers
  Improve your team’s communication with pet families by mastering tone, empathy, pricing discussions, and call follow-up through real call examples.
• Practical Technology in Today’s Business
  Pierce Dempsey, Leaf Cremation
  Get a hands-on look at how to use AI and accessible tech tools to enhance efficiency and deliver more personalized pet aftercare services.

In addition to classroom instruction, attendees will enjoy networking opportunities including a welcome reception, shared meals, and a student night trivia event — all in conjunction with the ICCFA University. It’s the perfect setting to connect with peers and build lasting professional relationships.

“I’m incredibly excited to welcome attendees to this year’s Pet Loss & Integration Short Course,” said Lauren Blevins Hogan, CCFE, CPLP. “This program is so important because it gives professionals the knowledge and tools that they need to serve families with the same level of compassion and care we provide for human loss. Serving pets is always about serving people, and by supporting pet families through their grief, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in our communities—and set our businesses apart through thoughtful, professional care.”

Thanks to the generous support of ICCFA Educational Foundation donors, four individuals have been awarded scholarships to attend the PLPA Pet Loss & Integration Short Course without the registration fee. These scholarships help remove financial barriers and expand access to education for professionals committed to serving pet families with care and compassion. The 2025 recipients are:

1. Dorothy Bothwell, Ivy Lawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home | Ventura, CA
2. Brittany Morgan, Springfield Funeral Home | Kelowna, BC
3. Ashley Nicks, Peaceful Paws Mortuary & Crematory | Lugoff, SC
4. Danny Santiago, Memorial Reefs International | Ocean View, NJ

Registration is open now through July 9, 2025. To learn more or secure your spot, visit iccfa.com/pet-short-course.

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Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral, and memorialization profession. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home, and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide.