Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
  • About CANA
  • Choosing Cremation
  • For Practitioners
  • Education
  • Career Center
  • About CANA
    • Staff List
    • Code of Cremation Practice
    • Position Statements
    • History of Cremation
    • Board of Directors >
      • Get Involved with CANA
    • Media >
      • News
    • CANA Member Directory
    • Contact Us
  • Choosing Cremation
    • Transport of Cremated Remains
    • Cremation Process
    • Arranging for Cremation >
      • Memorial Options
      • Cremation Services
      • Planning and Payment
      • Choosing a Provider
    • Find Local CANA Members
  • For Practitioners
    • Why Join CANA? >
      • CANA Member Benefits
      • Member Login
    • Self Care for Funeral Professionals
    • Create Your Profile
    • CANA Publications >
      • CANA Cremationist Magazine
      • Blog
      • CANA's Cremation Brochure Series
      • Industry Statistical Information
    • CANA Marketplace
    • 2025 Media Kit
    • Crematory Management Program
    • CANA PR Toolkit
    • Find Local CANA Members
  • Education
    • Access Your Online Courses
    • Crematory Operator Certification >
      • COCP - In English
      • COCP - en français
      • COCP - en Español
      • Pet Cremation (CPCO)
      • Alabama Refresher Program
      • Illinois Refresher Course
    • Cremation Specialist Certification
    • Business Administration Certification
    • Continuing Education Online
    • Pet Aftercare
    • Natural Organic Reduction >
      • Natural Organic Reduction Operations Certification
    • Digital Certificates & Badges
    • Academic Scholarships
    • Calendar of Events
    • Webinars
    • 107th Convention
    • 2026 Symposium
  • Career Center

News

  • Home

ARTICLE

Date ArticleType
3/3/2021 5:00:00 AM CANA Press Release

A New Kind of Event From CANA!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Barbara Kemmis
Phone: (312) 245-1077
499 Northgate Parkway
Wheeling, IL 60090-2646
Barbara@cremationassociation.org

A NEW KIND OF EVENT FROM CANA!

WHEELING, IL—Take just one hour out of your workday to connect with colleagues on topics that matter to you. Join the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) for The Art and Science of Cremation: Crucial Conversations Virtual Series.

CANA hoped to bring people together again in Las Vegas for the Annual Symposium, but the resurgence in COVID-19 at the start of the year and the subsequent strain on the profession prevented that kind of gathering. Instead, CANA has prioritized the kinds of connections that people value in those in-person events by conceiving an entirely new kind of experience.

“Rather than putting a webinar on in the background while you whittle down your inbox, these virtual conversations are designed to bring you together with other practitioners to talk about a topic that matters to your business,” said Barbara Kemmis, CANA’s Executive Director. She worked with the association’s board to develop this engaging new concept. During the Crucial Conversations Series, subject experts will speak—but only to get the ball rolling before the professionals join in. “Like a roundtable discussion, this is the space to share challenges and solutions with colleagues for new ideas,” Kemmis said.

Over the course of four weeks, the Crucial Conversations Series will cover a range of topics:

  1. Beyond Direct Cremation: Memorialization kicks off the event on Wednesday, March 24, 1 pm CT. Funeral directors, arrangers, and counselors can move beyond direct cremation and honor the unique needs of every family. Facilitated by Justin Crowe (Parting Stone), Jason Engler (UPD Urns), and Terry School (The Davis Whitehall Co.).
  2. Planning, Training, and Efficiency in Crematory Operations on Wednesday, March 31, 1 pm CT. Crematory operators and managers can review best practices and maximize efficiencies in crematory operations. Facilitated by Larry Stuart, Jr. (Cremation Strategies & Consulting) and others to be announced.
  3. Tools to Generate New Business continues the series on Wednesday, April 7, 1 pm CT. Owners and managers of funeral homes, crematories, and combos can come together to investigate new trends in deathcare and the opportunities that can set your business apart. Marketing, technology, death doulas… oh my! Facilitated by Stephen Carter (OpusXenta), Nick Grant (eFuneral), and Ashley Johnson (practitioner).
  4. Pandemic Lessons on Preneed and Aftercare concludes the series on Wednesday, April 14, 1 pm CT. Preneed sales agents, counselors, and funeral directors can examine the shifting landscape around funeral planning, aftercare, and preneed sales and find strategies to take advantage of current trends. Facilitated by Jon Lefrandt (The Domani Group), Alex McCracken (Funeral Innovations), Mitch Smith (eFuneral), and others to be announced.

“CANA events mean you can converse with people who are just as passionate about their work as you are about yours,” said Ryan Wiseman of Porter Funeral Home and Crematory, CANA Board Member and member of the Symposium Planning Advisory Group. If you’ve never been to a CANA event, this is a whole new way to meet. This space is designed to be progressive, practical, professional—and comfortable!

Thanks to the generosity of series sponsors Dignity Memorial and Implant Recycling, registration is free for CANA Members and just $15 for non-members. CANA is seeking CE approval from the Academy (APFSP). See details about the event and register: goCANA.org/crucialconversations

ABOUT CANA

Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,300 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.

Copyright 2000-2025 Cremation Assoc. of North America. All rights reserved.
499 Northgate Parkway, Wheeling, IL 60090-2646
v 312.245.1077 f 312.321.4098
info@cremationassociation.org
Privacy Policy | Liability Disclaimers

Quick Links

home
about
media
statistics
contact us
login
Picture
  • Staff List
  • Code of Cremation Practice
  • Position Statements
  • History of Cremation
  • Board of Directors >
    • Get Involved with CANA
  • Media >
    • News
  • CANA Member Directory
  • Contact Us
  • Transport of Cremated Remains
  • Cremation Process
  • Arranging for Cremation >
    • Memorial Options
    • Cremation Services
    • Planning and Payment
    • Choosing a Provider
  • Find Local CANA Members
  • Why Join CANA? >
    • CANA Member Benefits
    • Member Login
  • Self Care for Funeral Professionals
  • Create Your Profile
  • CANA Publications >
    • CANA Cremationist Magazine
    • Blog
    • CANA's Cremation Brochure Series
    • Industry Statistical Information
  • CANA Marketplace
  • 2025 Media Kit
  • Crematory Management Program
  • CANA PR Toolkit
  • Find Local CANA Members
  • Access Your Online Courses
  • Crematory Operator Certification >
    • COCP - In English
    • COCP - en français
    • COCP - en Español
    • Pet Cremation (CPCO)
    • Alabama Refresher Program
    • Illinois Refresher Course
  • Cremation Specialist Certification
  • Business Administration Certification
  • Continuing Education Online
  • Pet Aftercare
  • Natural Organic Reduction >
    • Natural Organic Reduction Operations Certification
  • Digital Certificates & Badges
  • Academic Scholarships
  • Calendar of Events
  • Webinars
  • 107th Convention
  • 2026 Symposium