Leadership Message

Southern Excellence for 2026

As we step into 2026, I’m struck by a simple truth: our profession doesn’t stand still—because families don’t stand still. “Life’s short, be Southern.” That isn’t just a tagline—it’s a commitment to how we show up for families and for each other: with hospitality, honor, and heritage, and with a professional standard worthy of the lives entrusted to us.

Feature Story

The Countdown Has Begun to San Antonio — “Viva la Fiesta”

Registration is officially open for the 2026 SCCFA Convention & Family Reunion—and this year we’re going bigger in partnership with the Texas Cemeteries & Crematories Association (TCCA) and the South Carolina Cemetery Association (SCCA). Join us at the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk for three days of education, exhibits, association business, and time well spent with peers and families, June 14–16, 2026.

Meet Your New Executive Director: Laurie Gargis

SCCFA is excited to welcome Laurie Gargis as our incoming Executive Director, beginning January 2026. Laurie brings a strong mix of funeral home and cemetery leadership—along with the kind of steady, service-first mindset that fits our profession perfectly.

Scholarship Section

2026 SCCFA Scholarship Applications Now Available

Looking to invest in the next step of your professional growth—or encourage a rising leader on your team? SCCFA is now accepting applications for its 2026 ICCFA University Scholarship.

Committee Updates

Mission, Vision & Logo Refresh

SCCFA committees continue advancing key initiatives across the Association, including communications improvements, governance strengthening, and long-range planning.

Vendor Spotlight

Coldspring: Make Your Mark™ through Meaningful Memorialization

With more than 125 years of experience, Coldspring partners with death care professionals to deliver permanent memorial solutions that honor every family’s legacy. From bronze and granite memorials to cremation options such as columbariums, mausoleums, benches, and pillars, along with Private Estates®, Coldspring helps cemeteries confidently meet evolving family expectations.

Member Engagement

Our Members Making Headlines

Good work has a way of traveling—and two of our SCCFA member organizations, Lincoln Memorial Group and Cave Hill Cemetery, are getting well-deserved attention for the kind of stewardship that reflects the very best of our profession.