The ICCFA community is deeply saddened to share the passing of Sandra Goldman, the 2025 ICCFA University Valedictorian. Sandra’s journey was marked by extraordinary courage, perseverance, and an enduring passion for service. Despite facing a long and difficult battle with cancer, she continued to inspire everyone she met — not only through her work, but through her heart, her humor, and her unwavering belief in the power of compassion.

In honor of her life and legacy, we are proud to share her valedictorian address, delivered to the ICCFA University Class of 2025 — a message that captures the spirit of our profession and the depth of Sandra’s light.

Sandra Goldman’s 2025 Valedictorian Address

(As delivered at ICCFA University, July 2025)

My fellow Graduates,

When we enrolled at ICCFA University, we expected education.

What many of us did not expect was transformation.

We thought we would fill our notebooks. Instead, we filled our hearts.

This was not just a University. It was a forge of sorts. And we walked straight into the fire.

Some of the finest minds and kindest hearts in Death Care left their homes and desks to be here, to teach us, to challenge us, to light something within us.

A spark. A sense of calling. A vision of what this work becomes when it is led with compassion, courage, and purpose.

So why did we keep coming back?

Because here, something awakened in us.

From the very beginning, we were invited to dream bigger. To lead with heart. To turn hardship into service. We learned that discomfort isn’t failure – it is the beginning of growth.

And yes – nothing brings humility faster than trying to look competent on a backhoe in front of your peers. But we dug in, and we came out stronger. Braver.

For me, it started with the fireside chat led by Gary O’Sullivan. Gary, you might not remember how many questions I asked but I do. Because in your answers, I did not just hear advice. I heard a challenge: to live and lead with courage, clarity, and kindness.

Every Dean here offered that same gift. You did not just fill our minds; you lit our souls.

Together, we asked hard questions. And we kept returning to one profound truth:

We are not in the business of death. We are in the ministry of meaning.

This work is not a transaction. It is sacred trust.

And that trust becomes even more powerful when your own life is on the line.

You see, I live with metastatic breast cancer. It has spread to my lungs, liver, esophagus, pec and deltoid muscles, neck, and brain. The truth is, I could die at any moment.

But I am not asking for sympathy. I am offering testimony.

Because for sixteen of the fifteen years I have lived with cancer, I have helped others say goodbye. I have buried strangers and friends. I have stood with grieving families – all while quietly facing my own mortality.

And that did not weaken me. Partially because of what I learned right here. It clarified me.

Our work is not about what ends. It is about what remains.

The story. The love. The meaning we leave behind.

Each of you carries your own story of resilience of grace under pressure. That is what sets this class apart. Not just our certificates, but our depth.

We leave here not only wiser but lit from within – carrying a fire that cannot be extinguished.

To the Foundation and sponsors: thank you. Your generosity did not just fund education. It built leaders.

To the Deans: thank you for reminding us that this work is holy, and that we are enough, especially when we doubt it most.

And to my fellow Graduates: Keep your heart open. Keep digging. Keep lighting the way.

Class of 2025 – we are firekeepers. We are lamplighters.

Carry the spark forward. Pass the torch well.

And as I was reminded today in class – be bold and ask yourself with gracious honesty:

Who do you want to be? And then just do it.

Sandra’s words remind us that education is not just about knowledge — it’s about purpose, service, and the courage to lead with heart. The ICCFA honors her memory and the light she passed on to her fellow graduates, colleagues, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.