Minnesota

This summer, a new conversation series inspired by the international death-cafe movement launched in the Twin Cities, offering residents of Minneapolis-St. Paul and the surrounding communities a place to talk openly about death, dying, grief, end-of-life planning and the shared human experiences that connect us all. The Cremation Society of Minnesota hosted its first death cafe at its funeral home in Edina on June 25 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The event provided a respectful, judgment-free setting for thoughtful conversation on topics that often prove difficult to discuss.

The society held a second session on July 28 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Willwerscheid Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West St. Paul.

Allison Henz, community-engagement lead for the Cremation Society of Minnesota, said, “Death cafe is not a grief support group or therapy session. Instead, it is a facilitated conversation space where participants come together simply to talk, listen, reflect and connect. Conversations might touch on deathcare, hospice experiences, caregiving, personal beliefs, cultural perspectives, or the meaning of life and mortality.”

The gatherings were open to a wide cross section of the Twin Cities community, including Minneapolis and St. Paul residents; caregivers and family members; healthcare and hospice professionals; funeral service and deathcare professionals; students and educators; and anyone curious or seeking deeper, more meaningful conversation.

In addition, local hospice organizations were invited to participate in the initial sessions. Their presence grounded the conversations in lived experience while maintaining the informal, peer-driven nature that defines the death-cafe movement.

“These conversations are already happening quietly across kitchen tables and hospital hallways in our community,” Henz said. “A death cafe simply offers an intentional space for them – without pressure, expectations or judgment. My hope is that attendees will leave with new perspectives, a sense of shared humanity and meaningful connections within the Twin Cities community.” Cremation
SocietyOfMN.com

National / International

Selected Independent Funeral Homes held a ceremony for the graduating class of the 2024-26
Selected Leadership Academy in Chicago, Illinois, on April 23. Each graduate represents a firm dedicated to upholding the highest standards of service and care.

Graduates included: Meagan Balentine, Broussard’s Mortuary, Beaumont, Texas; John Congdon, Keohane Funeral Home, Quincy, Massachusetts; Kristen Garrett, Starks Family Funeral Homes, St. Joseph, Michigan; Stephanie Hughes, Hughes Family Tribute Center, Dallas, Texas; Taylor Ivie, Wilks Funeral Homes, Chubbuck, Idaho; Julia Muko, McComas Funeral Home PA, Abingdon, Maryland; Wade Overturf, Smith Family Funeral Homes, North Little Rock, Arkansas; Kenzie Suhr, Locke Funeral Services, Waterloo, Iowa; and Amanda Wallace-Trujillo, French Funerals & Cremations, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Selected Leadership Academy is an opportunity for members interested in developing or enhancing their leadership skills. For two years, participants engage in a structured curriculum with interactive virtual sessions, personalized coaching and in-person enrichment. SelectedFuneralHomes.org

On May 5-7, the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) held PROGRESS 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. The event brought together independently owned funeral homes and supplier partners for three days of education, networking, leadership development and recognition. Attendees participated in networking experiences that fostered collaboration and connection among association members and partners.

The conference included the annual Golden Circle Awards Dinner, held at the Galt House in Louisville this year. During the ceremony, Chris Miller of Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory, Corona, California, received the Golden Light Award, which recognizes individuals whose leadership, service and dedication have impacted both OGR and the funeral service profession. Recipients exemplify the organization’s mission through mentorship, innovation, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving families and communities.

Miller was recognized for his contributions to independent funeral service, his commitment to advancing the profession and his continued support of OGR members. In his community, he provides essential support for the next generation of professionals by assisting with the mentorship program at Cypress College. He recently received a local Citizen of the Year award for his generous contributions and volunteerism, as well.

Miller also received OGR’s Community Service Award at the dinner event. This honor recognizes outstanding service, as demonstrated by a member firm’s activities benefiting local organizations and/or community members. In this case, Miller organized an impactful Dia de los Muertos celebration.

Said Miller during his acceptance speech: “I’m honored to elevate the future of our profession and to embolden those up-and-coming leaders. I see so much hope out there.”

During the dinner, Maddison Bakker of Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Franklin, Pennsylvania, received the inaugural Rising Star Award. This award honors young professionals who have worked at a member firm for one to five years.

Bakker has consistently demonstrated professionalism, compassion, leadership and initiative well beyond her years in funeral service. At Huff-Guthrie, she was instrumental in launching a new aftercare program, creating meaningful opportunities for families to heal and connect following a death. She also serves on the OGR Future Leaders committee and frequently creates education and marketing materials for the association.

The event’s final recognition comprised OGR’s Exemplary Service Awards, which recognize member firms that display outstanding professionalism and exemplary service, according to family feedback. This year’s recipients included: Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida; Kyger Funeral Home & Crematory, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Brunswick Memorial Funeral Home, East Brunswick, New Jersey; and Osborne Funeral Home, Williamsport, Maryland.

Finally, OGR installed the members of its 2026-27 Board of Directors. Peter Urban Jr. will serve as president. He is a third-generation funeral director at Anton B. Urban Funeral Home Inc. in Ambler, Pennsylvania.

In addition, Kim Hunter, Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles-Newbigging Chapel, Toronto, Canada, assumed the role of past president; Justin Zabor, Zabor Funeral Home Inc., Parma, Ohio, was installed as president-elect; and Adam Guthrie, Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Franklin, Pennsylvania, was installed as secretary/treasurer.

The ceremony also included the reinstallation of board members Larnique Mickens, Heritage Mortuary Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada, and Gregory McClary, Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home-Westland, Westland, Michigan.

In addition, the board welcomed Laura Kendrick-Godwin, Pollock-Randall Funeral Home, Port Huron, Michigan, for her first term on the OGR Board of Directors.

PROGRESS 2027 will take place May 4-6, 2027, at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Florida. OGR.org

ZARZYCKI MANOR CHAPELS HONORS LOCAL GRADUATES WITH SCHOLARSHIPS

Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd. – a historic family-owned and -operated business serving Chicago, and Willow Springs, Illinois – recently presented its annual merit-based academic scholarships to six students representing the Class of 2026. Since 1989, these scholarships have recognized eighth-grade graduates who exhibit exemplary academic achievement, personal integrity and a steadfast dedication to continuing their journey toward higher education.

The 2026 recipients of the Zarzycki Manor Chapels scholarships were chosen by their respective school faculties for outstanding academic performance. They include:

• Sts. Bruno & Richard School (Chicago): Leslie Anaya, Zarzycki Manor Chapels Scholarship Award; Marie Aguirre, Zarzycki Manor Chapels Scholarship Award; and Ava Olvera, Agnes Zarzycki Achievement Award

• Willow Springs School (Willow Springs): Ejay Mora, Zarzycki Manor Chapels Scholarship Award; Natalie Dlugosz, Zarzycki Manor Chapels Scholarship Award; and Leah Hernandez, Agnes Zarzycki Achievement Award

The proprietary Agnes Zarzycki Achievement Award specifically honors female graduates who demonstrate exceptional capability, intellectual independence and leadership. The award is presented in memory of Agnes Zarzycki, who founded the family firm 111 years ago. After immigrating to the United States in the 1880s – a time with significant educational and systemic barriers for women – Zarzycki demonstrated an unyielding commitment to higher learning. Through academic merit, she graduated from mortuary school in 1915 and became the first Polish-American female funeral director in the city of Chicago. Through her perseverance, she charted a path for generations of courageous women to follow.

This year’s awards carry profound significance. Although the presentation at Willow Springs School marked the continuation of a proud annual partnership, the awards presented at Sts. Bruno & Richard School represented a bittersweet farewell. Due to the impending closure of this historic Chicago school, the 2026 graduation marked the final bestowment of academic honors there. The Zarzycki family emphasized that even though the physical building is closing, the exceptional foundation, school pride and intellectual drive forged within its walls will live on through its final graduating scholars.

As long-standing business owners and community pillars, owners Claudette, Andrea and Charmaine Zarzycki recognize that the future of the local community rests upon the success and intellectual development of its youth. The firm is committed to continuing its multigenerational tradition of identifying, rewarding and encouraging academic excellence as a foundational milestone for lifelong success.

“True community support extends far beyond the professional services we provide inside our chapels; it requires an active, intentional investment in the next generation,” said Claudette Zarzycki. “We are deeply honored to recognize these six exceptional students. As they navigate seasons of change and take their next formal steps toward higher education, we are confident they will serve as trailblazers and leaders in our communities.” ZarzyckiManorChapels.com