The Future of Deathcare: PlotBox’s 5 Key Takeaways from ICCFA 2026

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The dust has well and truly settled on Fort Worth, Texas, and we’re feeling inspired by what we’ve seen and heard.

This year’s ICCFA Annual Convention & Expo was a landmark week, underscoring the best in what the profession has to offer - and where it's headed.

As PlotBox CCO Leona McAllister said:

“The highlight of ICCFA for me has been seeing our customers and spending time with the team. We had a fantastic high-energy booth, and have been delighted to be able to show the innovations that we've been working on over the last few months, especially with launching our Eva AI deathcare assistant. To see the reaction of our customers, being able to see it in person and get their direct feedback, has been phenomenal.”

So what did the rest of the PlotBox team have to say about ICCFA 2026 and what were their key takeaways?

1. Grounding the AI Revolution.

AI was undeniably a real talking point of the convention, and PlotBox took to the stage to lead a grounded, responsible conversation.

Senior Marketing Manager Kirsten Ono, Head of Product Ryan Lynch and Executive Vice President of Growth, Mara Schein presented the timely session, "AI for Deathcare: The Risks, the Reality, and How to Get It Right."

For Kirsten, the presentation was a highlight of an unforgettable first trip to Texas:

"I was grateful for the opportunity to take the stage and speak about AI in deathcare, and the importance of keeping humanity at the center of it all. Sharing that conversation alongside my colleagues Ryan and Mara made it even more special."

As these new tools become more engrained into our daily working lives, Ryan focused on giving organizations a practical framework to protect themselves:

"I walked through how deathcare organizations can go about creating their own AI policy - something I think is going to become increasingly important as more tools land in the industry. Having a clear policy gives organizations a framework for using AI responsibly."

2. A Collective Awakening.

A reality check that from the convention floor on the broader profession's readiness for automation.

VP Enterprise Sales, North America, Neil Sherrin observed "A collective awakening to the importance of data ownership, the implications and risks of amalgamation by vendors, portability and access."

He also noted however that many are attempting to run before they can walk, spending heavily to fix mistakes that could have been avoided:

"While there are high aspirations for advancement with AI by many, some organizations are still struggling with the basics in terms of having basic and accurate data, and paying significant money to remediate.”

So while AI presents an opportunity, clearly, shortcutting the foundational data accuracy piece and expecting token AI projects to reach their potential is misguided.

With that in mind, the reception to PlotBox’s built-in AI tools proved that we’re bridging this gap successfully.

Customer Solutions Consultant Jennifer Lane highlighted how we’re changing the game:

"Having called Texas home for over 20 years, it was great to have the 2026 ICCFA Convention right in my own backyard. We debuted PlotBox’s new AI capabilities, focusing specifically on development that empowers operators. Our AI Assistant, Eva, is proving to be a true game-changer for cemeteries managing complex mapping and deceased records."

3. The Widening Gap Between "Legacy" and "Forward-Thinking" Tech.

The convention floor made it obvious that the technology landscape in deathcare is fracturing into two distinct camps: those still in the past, and those building the future. As Jennifer observed:

"The gap between 'legacy' systems and 'forward-thinking' solutions has never been wider. It reinforced my confidence that PlotBox isn’t just keeping pace - we are defining the forefront of empathetic, modern technology."

This was echoed by Solutions Consultant Haley Ross, a newcomer to the industry, who found the event to be a real validation of our standing:

"I knew PlotBox was a key player, but seeing our presence in person really showed me where we stand. It’s one thing to hear about our impact, but seeing the constant buzz at the booth made it obvious that we aren't just participating in the industry; we’re leading it!"

Solutions Consultant Kris Miller agreed, noting that our commitment to purposeful development cements our status at the top of the market:

"Innovation that genuinely supports the deathcare industry is at the heart of what we do, and I believe that commitment is what positions us as market leaders. I was proud to represent PlotBox while gaining a real firsthand perspective of our presence and impact within the industry."

4. Unifying the Back Office with the Family Experience.

A major milestone for the week was introducing EverAfter Connect, our all-in-one digital platform connecting our customers to the families they serve.

As Product Manager Connor McCullough noted:

“Hearing directly from such a broad cross-section of the industry in one place was a fantastic crash course in the challenges and priorities customers are wrestling with day to day. Having a dedicated EverAfter Connect stand gave us a proper platform to talk about how cemeteries and funeral homes engage with the families and loved ones of the deceased, and how we can bring a more seamless experience between back-office operations and the family-facing side of the business."

5. Organic Customer Advocacy is a Superpower.

Beyond the software and tech demos, ICCFA 2026 was a celebration of relationships.

For Solutions Consultant Lauren Bradley, the conference highlighted the unique, deeply supportive culture of the deathcare profession:

"Conferences in the industry are a time of community and connection. Current partners and many of our friends from other vendors all stopped by to sit awhile and chat, enjoy a coffee and some cookies, and just enjoy being around like-minded people. It is a blessing to serve those who serve their communities in their most vulnerable moments."

While Jennifer joked that "the 'traffic jams' at the PlotBox booth were happily fueled by our signature coffee bar and local Texas-made cookies," the real draw was a shared investment in the future of the profession.

Crucially, our existing users became our best sales team. Commercial Enablement Manager Katie Stanley reflected on the value of organic customer advocacy:

"The energy at our booth was palpable, fueled by an incredible turnout of existing customers who not only stopped by to reconnect, but acted as our most vocal advocates to new prospects. While the overwhelmingly positive feedback on our demos proved just how far our product has come, the convention also provided a sharp strategic lens for the year ahead."

Looking Ahead to Denver.

Ultimately, ICCFA 2026 proved that PlotBox's momentum is stronger than ever. As Jennifer perfectly summarized: "PlotBox is here to stay, here to innovate, and here to lead."

And a final word from our CEO Sean McAllister:

“It's been great to be here to see all the other innovations that are happening, to meet our customers, the different businesses that have attended, and to show all the new things we've got, including the launch of Eva, our AI deathcare Assistant. Looking forward to seeing everybody again next year in Denver!".

See what the PlotBox team had to say about ICCFA 2026: