The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) recently appointed Jesse M. Gomes to its board of directors. Gomes was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board and will serve through October 2026. In this role, he will support the academy’s mission to advance excellence in funeral service through professional certification and continuing education.
A Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) since 2016, Gomes demonstrates a strong commitment to professional development, ethical standards and service. His experience and dedication strengthen the academy’s ongoing work on behalf of members and the broader funeral service community.
“We are grateful for Jesse’s willingness to serve the academy in this leadership capacity,” said APFSP President Kyle P. Ledford. “His commitment to the CFSP designation and to professional excellence makes him a valuable addition to our board.” APFSP.org
Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice Appoints Gomes to Board
The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) is holding PROGRESS 2026 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5-7. This annual conference brings together independently owned funeral home and supply partners from around the world for meaningful connection, relevant education and forward-thinking conversation.
PROGRESS 2026 features an engaging lineup of speakers, including Joseph Finocchiaro, Court Bluford, Lacy Robinson, Olivia Ralston Yergler, Jack Willaert and additional experts who will touch on pressing funeral service issues.
Educational sessions will explore myths and misconceptions about funeral service education and graduates, examine how firms can embrace the digital frontier, and strengthen attendees’ essential hospitality skills. Attendees also will participate in OGR’s popular Ideas Exchange, hear from a panel of experts about how to prepare funeral homes for the future, and learn how to hold compassionate financial discussions with families.
On May 6, OGR will present its Professional Service Awards during the Golden Circle Celebration. The Rising Star Award is new this year and recognizes early-career professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise, leadership and dedication within the funeral service profession. To be eligible, nominees must have been employed by an OGR-member firm for one to five years and either new entrants to the field or second-career professionals embarking on a new chapter of service.
This year’s nominees include Angelyna Scheck, Scanlan’s Funeral Home, Pompton Plains, New Jersey; Maddison Bakker, Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Franklin, Pennsylvania; Keysha Licea, Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory, Corona, California; and Patricia Longworth, John J. Ferry & Sons Inc., Meriden, Connecticut.
The Golden Rule Community Service Awards are awarded in recognition of outstanding community service, as demonstrated by activities that benefit local organizations or community events. This year’s Community Service Award nominees include Brunswick Memorial Home, East Brunswick, New Jersey; Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory, Corona, California; Livingston-Butler-Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Hastings, Nebraska; and Oliverie Funeral Home, Manchester, New Jersey.
The Exemplary Service Awards are given to firms that provide outstanding customer service to families in times of loss. Nominees were selected based on comments families provided through OGR’s Family Contact Survey Program. They include: Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida; Kyger Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Harrisonburg, Virginia; Citty Funeral Home, Reidsville, North Carolina; Brunswick Memorial Funeral Home, East Brunswick, New Jersey; Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, Glen Burnie, Maryland; Osborne Funeral Home, Williamsport, Maryland; Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; Pagenkopf Funeral Home, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Livingston-Butler-Volland Funeral Home, Hastings, Nebraska; Moore Funeral Service, Hattiesburg, Michigan; Boone Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, West Jefferson, North Carolina; Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, Iowa; Wenner Funeral Home, Cold Spring, Minnesota; Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa; Cooper Funeral Home, Tecumseh, Oklahoma; and J.C. Harwell & Son Funeral Home and Cremation, Covington, Georgia.
The recipient of the 2026 Golden Light Award also will be announced at PROGRESS. This award is presented to an individual who distinguishes themself through OGR involvement, community service and professionalism. OGR.org