Cemetery Grounds & Structures - Virtual Event
February 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET.
Join us for Cemetery Grounds & Structures: A Virtual Event — an engaging online experience created for cemetery professionals dedicated to excellence in design, maintenance, and preservation.
Explore innovative approaches to grounds management, sustainable landscaping, and structural restoration that enhance beauty, safety, and long-term value.
Hear from experts who are shaping the future of cemetery spaces and walk away with practical ideas to improve your own operations. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and elevate your cemetery’s impact from the ground up.
Sessions & Speakers
Jackson Madnick
Session coming soon
Tim Kolasa & Gino Merendino
Winning the Cremation Consumer: Smart Strategies for Cemeteries of Every Size
As cremation rates continue to rise, many cemeteries are asking the same questions: Where do we start, what do families actually want, and how do we avoid costly missteps? This webinar guides cemeteries through a clear, actionable roadmap to attract cremation families while maximizing space and revenue. Attendees will learn how to assess their current assets, understand consumer behavior, and build cremation inventory that truly sells. Whether you’re a veteran manager or brand-new to the role, this session will help you confidently move from uncertainty to opportunity.
3 Key Takeaways
- How to evaluate your existing property to identify overlooked cremation opportunities.
- A practical method to determine which cremation products fit your community’s preferences.
- A step-by-step process for launching the right inventory without overspending or overbuilding.
Marilyn Brandt
Guidance for Planning Annual Cemetery Tree & Landscape Services
In this session we'll cover topics on why trees are a valuable asset to your cemetery grounds, ways to care for your cemetery's trees and landscape with smart budgeting, including, creative ways to fundraise to help keep your cemetery in pristine condition.
3 Key Takeaways
Rick Dilts
Designing for Tomorrow: Innovative Granite Structures for a Changing Cemetery Landscape
We’ll share who Dakota Granite is, where we come from, and what sets our craftsmanship apart. We’ll introduce DIVINUS, our dedicated large-buildings division, explain our start-to-finish concierge service, and present the Mausolarium — a new, flexible structure designed for today’s cemetery challenges.
Speaker Biographies & Contact Information
Jackson Madnick, Founder, Pearl's Premium
Pearl's Premium Inc., 206 Lakeshore Dr., Wayland, MA 01778
(P) 508-653-0800
Timothy Kolasa, Director of Operations, Merendino Cemetery Care
(P) 908- 967-0039
(A)1048 West Blanke St
Linden, New Jersey 07036
A Marine Corps veteran of Desert Storm with more than 35 years of cemetery experience, Tim Kolasa serves as the Director of Operations at Merendino Cemetery Care. As part of his responsibilities, he oversees more than 1,500 acres of cemetery maintenance and supports operations involved in approximately 1 out of every 500 burials in the United States. A graduate of the CCC School of Leadership and Management Excellence and ICCFA University—and previously teaching at ICCFAU—Tim is known for helping cemeteries modernize operations, improve service delivery, and expand cremation-focused inventory.
Gino Merendino, Director of Operations, Merendino Cemetery Care
(P) 908- 967-0039
(A)1048 West Blanke St
Linden, New Jersey 07036
Gino Merendino is the Chief Gardener for Merendino Cemetery Care. He is passionate about leading the profession through education. He is the Vice President and a trustee of the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) Education Foundation and the Dean of the Land College for the ICCFA University. He holds a BS in Business Management from Rutgers University and is a Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardener. He is the architect of the Veteran Administration approved GI Bill Apprenticeship Training Program for cemetery care managers. As the Chief Gardener at Merendino, he is responsible for the mowing and trimming of 1500 acres of cemetery property weekly in the Northeast as well as the outsourcing of 1 out of every 500 burials in the USA.
Marilyn Brandt, Regional Business Developer - Cemeteries, The Davey Tree Expert Company
(P) 216-402-6955
(A) 1500 N Mantua Street, Kent, Ohio, 44240
Marilyn joined Davey in 2024 as a business developer specializing in cemetery landscape maintenance and management. She pulls from an extensive background in the cemetery management industry, most recently serving as Chief Operations Officer at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. In her role, Marilyn will work with cemetery clients to help meet their tree and landscaping goals. Marilyn is a part of the Ohio Cemetery Association, the Greater Cleveland Cemetery Association, and International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories.
Rick Dilts, Large Buildings Director, Dakota Granite
(P) 800-843-3333
(A) 48391 150th St, Milbank, South Dakota, 57252
Rick Dilts is a respected leader in the memorial and cemetery development industry, known for his technical expertise, steady leadership style, and deep commitment to helping cemeteries create meaningful, enduring spaces for the families they serve. With decades of experience in large granite structures, project management, and customer partnerships, Rick plays a pivotal role at Dakota Granite, guiding the expansion of the company’s capabilities in mausoleums, columbariums, and complex architectural granite projects.
Throughout his career, Rick has built a reputation for being the person customers trust when a project requires precision, clarity, and follow-through. He has successfully overseen hundreds of major installations across the country, helping cemeteries navigate everything from early design decisions and engineering considerations to fabrication details, site preparation, and final installation. His hands-on knowledge of granite, construction processes, and industry standards makes him an invaluable resource for cemetery leaders planning to enhance their property with long-lasting, high-quality structures.
