Mentors

2020 Mentors

Matthew R. Bailey, CFSP

President, Funeral Director & Embalmer, Certified Celebrant, Certified Crematory Operator

Matt Bailey, CFSP is a nationally recognized professional in funeral service. An owner/operator who is active in funeral service, he is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, Certified Celebrant, Certified Crematory Operator, and Celebrant Trainer. He is an advocate for funeral service who works to promote high professional standards and challenge the understanding of meaningful services. Matt has conducted training sessions for the National Funeral Directors Association, International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association, Cremation Association of North America, Texas Funeral Directors Association, New York State Funeral Directors Association, Florida Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association and other groups. He has been published in American Funeral Director, The Director (NFDA), and has frequently been quoted by Funeral Service Insider.

Amy Cunningham

Owner of Fitting Tribute Funeral Services

Amy Cunningham is a New York state licensed funeral director and the owner of Fitting Tribute Funeral Services in Brooklyn which specializes in green burials, home funerals, cremation services and memorial events of all sorts. In the process of helping families plan more meaningful funerals, she perceived the need for a website where people could better envision what’s possible when facing a death, something welcoming and factual that offers ceremony templates, readings, and a digital obituary platform. With mortuary training from the American Academy McAllister Institute, and a BA in English from the University of Virginia, she now blogs at TheInspiredFuneral.com, and is a certified celebrant and home funeral guide.

C. Lynn Gibson

Managing partner, Smith Live & Legacy Funeral Home

C. Lynn Gibson is a managing partner of Smith Life & Legacy Funeral Home in Maryville, TN and the Vice President of Grandview Cemetery. Lynn is also a licensed funeral director and a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner. His firm received the NFDA’s Best of the Best Distinction in 2014. Lynn holds a PhD in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care and a PhD in Religion and Society. He currently serves as a Research Associate for Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

Guest Speaker

Cason Hightower, CFSP

Vice President of Community Relations and Licensed Funeral Director, Hightower Family Funeral Homes

Cason Hightower, CFSP, represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to the funeral service profession.

Cason was born and raised in Carrollton, Georgia, living more than 18 years in Carroll County before moving to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where she began her academic career at The University of Alabama. During her time at The University of Alabama, Cason studied Political Science and Telecommunications with a concentration in Broadcast News. Her academic career led her to acquire a vast range of skills from researching legislative issues to creating multimedia projects. In December of 2013 Cason graduated from The University of Alabama. In January of the following year she began graduate school at George Washington University, Graduate School of Political Management.

In December of 2016, Cason decided to come back to Carrollton. She is now the Vice President of Community Relations and a Licensed Funeral Director at Hightower Family Funeral Homes. She is a member of the Carrollton Dawnbreaker’s Rotary Club, the Abraham Baldwin Chapter of the DAR, and Midway Church. She volunteers her time as Board Chair to the Carroll County CASA Board of Directors, the Carroll County Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors. Cason is the daughter of Bryant and Cathy Hightower and has two younger sisters, Karlie and Mackenzie.

Ruby Hightower

Therapy Dog

Ruby is a Certified Therapy Dog and Grief Counselor at Hightower Family Funeral Homes. She is a 3 year old Australian Labradoodle and when she was just a pup she completed her certification with Ultimate Canine in Westfield, Indiana. Now, Ruby provides care and comfort to all ages during their time of grief. Ruby spends her days visiting with families during arrangement conference, visitation and/or funeral services. Ruby is also certified to visit retirement homes, nursing homes & schools!