CHICAGO, IL October 25, 2025 - Redefining industry events with the debut of The Future of Deathcare Summit, held Saturday, October 25, at McCormick Conference Center in Chicago, in advance of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Annual Conference.
Unlike a traditional conference, the Summit delivers an immersive experience featuring interactive workshops, live audience participation, and thought-provoking dialogue designed to reimagine how we mourn, memorialize, and support families in today’s world.
Program highlights include:
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Cross-Industry Keynotes: Leaders from outside funeral service offering new perspectives.
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Ethics & HBO’s The Mortician: Panelists Gabe Schauf (Moderator), Barbara Kemmis, Jolena Grande, Jeff Zeally, and Jessica Koth discuss morality and trust-building in funeral service.
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Technology & Humanity: Exploring how innovation enhances—not replaces—the human touch. Featuring Michael Schimmel, George Owens, and Courtney Gould Miller.
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Generational Expectations: Gen X and Millennial demands for eco-conscious, personalized, multicultural, and service-driven approaches. Panelists: Rob Gaskill (Moderator), Nick Williamson, Katey Houston, Larnique Mickens, and Jennifer Muldowney.
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Women and Leadership: Redefining leadership in the funeral profession. With Lindsay Granson (Moderator), Molly Lindell, Sandra Walker, Erin Creger, Ashlinn Goodman, and Doug Gober.
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Breaking Silos in Imminent Preneed: A fireside chat with Dr. Amy Schiffman and Jessica Wakefield.
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The Business of Legacy: Financial resilience with Chris Cruger, Jake Johnson, and Momentum Wealth Partners Cofounders Jacob Derrig and Emil Aldaddah.
“This is not the same deathcare conference everyone is familiar with,” said Michael Schimmel, CEO & Founder of Sympathy Brands. “We are pushing the conversation forward by merging tradition with innovation and providing professionals with actionable strategies to better serve families today and tomorrow.”
The full-day event includes sessions, networking, breakfast, lunch, and a cocktail reception— fostering meaningful connections across the profession.
Sympathy Brands and Fortitude Marketing are supported by its sponsors, including Diamond Sponsors, Tribute Tech and Momentum Wealth Partners, Platinum Sponsors, Foresight, Heritage Family Funeral Services and Carriage Services, and Gold and Silver Sponsors representing key partners across the end-of-life profession.
For the complete agenda and registration details, visit:
www.sympathybrands.com/fdcs2025/agenda
Media Contact:
Dorit Naylor
VP, Partner Solutions
Sympathy Brands
[email protected] | 641.260.1103