Heartbreaking New Details Emerge About Emma Biffle’s Memorial — And How the Family Wants Her Remembered
In the wake of the devastating December 18, 2025, plane crash that claimed the lives of former NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, their young son Ryder Jack Biffle, Greg’s 14-year-old daughter Emma Elizabeth Biffle from a previous marriage, and three close friends, new details have surfaced about a private memorial service honoring Emma. The tragedy, which occurred at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, has left the NASCAR community and beyond in profound mourning.
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Emma’s memorial service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Cain Center for the Arts, located at 21348 Catawba Avenue in Cornelius, North Carolina. Arrangements are being handled by Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home and Cremation Services. In a poignant request, loved ones have asked that attendance be limited to family, close friends, and Emma’s classmates from Davidson Day School, where she was a student. This intimate gathering reflects the family’s desire for a personal space to grieve and celebrate her life.
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Emma Elizabeth Biffle was born on July 6, 2011, in Huntersville, North Carolina, to Greg Biffle and his then-wife Nicole Lunders Biffle. Described in her obituary as “an amazing light in this world” with an infectious smile, Emma was remembered as fun, outgoing, funny, caring, and possessing “a pure soul full of love.” She shared a profoundly close bond with her mother, Nicole, who survives her, along with grandparents Russ and Sara Lunders, stepfather Stephen Agnew, stepsiblings Eli and Hannah Agnew, grandmother Sally Biffle, uncle Jeff Biffle, and several cousins.
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One of the most touching aspects of Emma’s tribute is her deep love for animals, a passion that has guided the family’s wishes for how she should be remembered. In lieu of flowers or traditional gifts, they encourage donations to a local animal shelter or rescue organization that holds personal meaning for the donor. This gesture aligns with the philanthropic spirit of the Biffle family, as Greg himself founded the Greg Biffle Foundation focused on animal welfare and served on the board of Lake Norman Humane.
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Additionally, contributions may be made to the Davidson Day Fund at Emma’s school, described as her “second home.” The family has pledged to work closely with the school to ensure these gifts honor Emma’s legacy in a thoughtful and lasting way, perhaps supporting future students in the nurturing environment that helped shape her bright spirit.
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These requests have deeply moved fans and the community, many of whom have expressed emotion over the selfless focus on causes Emma cherished. Social media tributes highlight her joyful personality and the void left by her passing, with calls to support animal rescues as a way to keep her memory alive.
Separate from Emma’s service, a larger remembrance event organized by NASCAR is planned for January 16, 2026, at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, honoring Greg Biffle, Cristina, Ryder, and the other victims: Dennis Dutton, his son Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth. For Greg and Cristina, the surviving family has encouraged donations to the American Red Cross—reflecting Greg’s longtime support as a blood donation advocate—and Lake Norman Humane.
The joint family statement released shortly after the crash captured the overwhelming grief: “We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words. Greg and Cristina were devoted parents and active philanthropists whose lives were centered around their young son Ryder and Greg’s daughter Emma.”
As the NASCAR world prepares to say goodbye, Emma’s memorial stands as a testament to a young life full of love, laughter, and compassion. Her family’s choice to channel remembrance through animal welfare and education ensures that her light continues to shine, touching lives long after her tragic departure.
