The ICCFA Experience 2025 is not your typical funeral conference—and that’s exactly the point. In this exclusive interview, Ryan Thogmartin sits down with ICCFA President Lee Longino to break down why this year’s event is tossing the traditional conference playbook in the cremation bin and embracing something radically new. We’re talking a circus-themed, festival-style deathcare convention in Las Vegas with food trucks, multiple stages, and a full-on focus on experience over disposition. Sound crazy? It might be—but it also might be the boldest and smartest move the profession has seen in decades. From skyrocketing cremation rates and declining burial averages, to how funeral homes can reinvent the way they serve families—this conversation hits hard and goes deep. ?
Topics Covered:
- Why the ICCFA rebranded their flagship convention
- The financial crisis behind ignoring cremation families
- Festival vibes meet funeral biz: what attendees can expect
- How vendors, suppliers, and directors must adapt
- What makes this the must-attend deathcare event of 2025
? The ICCFA Experience is happening April 30–May 3 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Don’t miss the movement. ? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Will this reshape the future of funeral service—or flop like a bad pre-need sales pitch?
