Happy New Year from Carriage Services! As we step into a new year, we want to thank our incredible team members for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to serving families and communities with care. What we do matters, and it’s our people who make the difference every day. Here’s to continued growth, meaningful work, and supporting one another in the year ahead. We’re grateful to move forward together. 💙
-A Simple Holiday Craft That Sparked a Tradition- What began as a simple idea four years ago has grown into one of the most beloved community traditions in Moore, Oklahoma. When the Women’s Impact Network (WIN) of the Moore Chamber of Commerce asked Moore Funeral & Cremation to host their November networking event, Managing Partner Megan Dorman and her team decided to add a festive twist: decorating Christmas ornaments. The concept was easy and cheerful, wooden ornaments, stencils, paint markers, and light refreshments, but the impact quickly exceeded expectations. The women of WIN loved the creativity and connection the event inspired, and soon the ornament-painting gathering became the most anticipated networking event of the year. Even as the Chamber moved away from holding monthly networking events, they chose to keep this one on the calendar because of its popularity and the joy it brings. Megan, supported this year by Apprentice Brittany Roe and Receptionist Toni Jones, has helped shape the event into a meaningful touchpoint between the Moore team and the community. While not directly tied to serving families, the experience strengthens relationships, sparks conversation, and creates a warm, uplifting atmosphere that reflects Moore Funeral & Cremation’s commitment to service.
-Funeraria San Juan Celebrates Culture and Community at Viva Osceola- At this year’s Viva Osceola festival, the Funeraria San Juan team engaged with more than 5,000 attendees through thoughtful cultural outreach. The team handed out bottled water and gifted attendees traditional Puerto Rican pavas, which were a big hit and sparked warm conversations throughout the day. The community welcomed the team with genuine appreciation, creating a positive and meaningful connection. The event highlighted the funeral home's ongoing commitment to supporting and celebrating the diverse community it serves.
-Greenlawn Northeast Team Shines with Fun, Fitness, and Community Connection- The Greenlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery Northeast team had a full weekend of connection and community. Things kicked off with a team walk/run to rack up extra miles for the Carriage Step Challenge, bringing plenty of laughs and encouragement along the way. The weekend wrapped up with “Night at the Movies” on the cemetery grounds, where families gathered under the stars to enjoy a film on the big screen. It was a wonderful evening of neighbors coming together and enjoying time as a community. From fitness to family fun, the Greenlawn Northeast team showed their commitment to wellness, teamwork, and serving their community.
-Fall Fun at Lampstand Nursing & Rehabilitation- At Carriage, we believe that serving others extends beyond our workplace, it’s about making a difference in our communities too. Recently, one of our Managing Partners joined the residents at Lampstand Nursing & Rehabilitation for their Fall Festival. The Activities Director mentioned they were looking for volunteers, and our Hillier team was eager to help! Together, they set up a pumpkin decorating station, where residents created their own festive pumpkins to brighten their rooms. It was a simple activity, but it filled the day with smiles, laughter, and creativity. More importantly, it reminded us how rewarding it is to give our time and connect with those around us. Moments like these reflect what makes Carriage special, a culture rooted in compassion, community, and care. 🍂🎃💛
The heart of Carriage is our people. Whether in the field or at our support center, every team member contributes to making a difference for the families we serve. Thank you for your continued commitment and compassion, you make Carriage stronger every day.
-Celebrating Dwayne Spence Funeral Homes- We are proud to share that Dwayne Spence Funeral Homes has been honored with the 2025 Pursuit of Excellence Award from the National Funeral Directors Association. This recognition places them among a select group of funeral homes worldwide, known for their commitment to serving families with compassion, integrity, and the highest professional standards. The award is a reflection of the entire team’s dedication to caring for their community and going above and beyond to provide meaningful, personal experiences for the families they serve. Please join us in congratulating the Dwayne Spence team on this outstanding accomplishment and in thanking them for representing Carriage with such excellence.
-Creating WOW Moments: A Story from Covenant Fredericksburg- At Covenant Fredericksburg, moments of compassion often happen quietly, in small gestures that carry immense meaning. Earlier this summer, one such moment reminded everyone of the true power of kindness. On July 7th, the funeral home was honored to serve the family of Mr. Joseph Trigg, an 85-year-old retired teacher. His wife of 60 years, Mrs. Trigg, came to make the arrangements. At 84 years old her delightful personality truly stood out. Her presence was so inspiring that the funeral director invited the team, Emily Papke, Shannon Reedes, and Hailey Queen, into the arrangement room to meet her. What could have been a solemn visit quickly turned into a warm and lively conversation. Stories were exchanged, laughter filled the room, and a genuine connection was made. A few days later, while following up on an obituary submission, the team learned that Mrs. Trigg had suffered a fall and was in the hospital. She reassured them she was all right, but the news deeply touched the staff. Moved by their Passion for Service, Emily, Shannon, and Hailey decided to do something special. After work, on their own time, they selected a vase of bright yellow and purple flowers, matching the colors of the dress Mrs. Trigg had worn to the funeral home and delivered it to her hospital room in person. The surprise brought tears to Mrs. Trigg’s eyes. “Unbelievable,” she said, overwhelmed by the gesture's thoughtfulness.
A lead crematory retort operator at Garden of Memories Crematory, was awarded the 2025 University Scholarship by the ICCFA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees. This honor enabled her to attend ICCFA University, held July 18–23, 2025, at the Emory University Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral service, cremation, and memorialization profession, serves more than 10,000 members worldwide. Through education, advocacy, and resources, the ICCFA supports its members in strengthening their businesses and enhancing professional excellence.
-Celebrating the 2025 Carriage Cares Ky’Saan Piatti Scholarship Winners- We are proud to announce that the Carriage Cares Ky’Saan Piatti Scholarship has grown tremendously in its second year! What began with a single $2,500 award last year has expanded into five scholarships totaling $12,000 awarded this year. This exciting growth reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the dreams and futures of young leaders in our communities. How Winners Were Selected The judging process followed clear and thoughtful guidelines to ensure fairness and consistency. Candidates were evaluated on two major components: Public Speaking and Interview Performance, each weighted at 50% of the total score.
