ARTICLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Barbara Kemmis Phone: (312) 245-1077 499 Northgate Parkway Wheeling, IL 60090-2646 Barbara@cremationassociation.org Trust vs. Insurance: What’s Right For You? Wendy Russell Wiener, Bill Williams and The Great Debate at the 2025 CANA Symposium WHEELING, IL— Imagine you decide to create a preneed sales program—or perhaps your preneed sales platform needs an overhaul. Where do you start? Wendy Russell Wiener and Bill Williams help you tackle step one: whether to sell insurance funded preneed or trust funded preneed. Join them as they take the stage for the Cremation Association of North America’s (CANA) 2025 Symposium. What you learn might surprise you! What funding method should you offer your clients: trust or insurance? Which is easier to administer? Which is easier for your clients? Which will make you more money now? Which will make you more money overall? How do you know what’s best for your firm? Wendy Russell Wiener, Chair of the Regulatory department for Funeral Services, Inc. and Managing Member of WRW Legal, PLLC, and Bill Williams, Jr., LFD and Former President/CEO of Funeral Services, Inc., bring a point-by-point discussion to The Great Debate: Trust vs Insurance to highlight what is important when choosing a funding method. “The preneed trust-insurance debate is more pertinent than in years past given the recent economic climate,” explains Bill. “Stubborn inflation is increasing operating costs and, if not held in check, could impact the expense of delivering merchandise and services when a contract turns at need. Funeral directors are searching for ways to protect operating margins, and trust contracts are appealing because they hold the potential for returns that outpace the cost of doing business.” Their session is designed to give the preneed seller the tools it needs to determine, or confirm, what’s right for that seller. But it doesn’t stop there. CANA’s Symposium is packed with sessions designed to get you thinking about what furthers your business success: Kicking off the event is Greg Grabowski, Partner at Hospice Advisors, who explores how funeral professionals can work toward Bridging Hospice and Funeral Services: A Compassionate Continuum of Care, fostering a seamless transition for families as they navigate end-of-life. Each registrant will receive a free copy of his book Engaging the Heart of Hospice, co-authored with Lacy Robinson. Danielle Burmeister, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Homesteaders Life Company, reveals key insights into Preneed Motivators: Cremation Edition about why families decide to prearrange. A panel of experts share actionable insights for Cremation Preneed Success: Strategies, Insights, and Innovation in Sales and Marketing. Discover how to communicate the value of pre-planning with Tyler Anderson, VP, Business Development at Precoa; William Bonacorda, President of Trust 100; Rob Goff, Regional Director, PreNeed Northwest, for United Heritage Life Insurance; and, Joshua Rae, CEO of Golden Considerations. Aftercare industry leaders continue the discussion on enhancing your relationship with families while driving business growth in an Aftercare Panel: Supporting Families and Growing Your Business. Greg Grabowski of Hospice Advisors; Jon Lefrandt, Founder and CEO of Elevia; and Matthew Van Drimmelen, Founder of Full-Circle Aftercare offer practical strategies for crafting a successful aftercare program. Lindsey Ballard, Owner of Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, leads an interactive session to showcase attendees’ most effective strategies in Preneed Spotlight: Lessons and Ideas from Real-Life Success Stories. Whether you’re just starting with digital marketing or looking to refine your approach, Welton Hong, CEO & Founder of Ring Ring Marketing, provides practical insights to guide your decisions when Leveraging Technology to Grow Your Preneed Program. How can you have it all? Join Wendy Russell Wiener and Bill Williams at CANA’s 2025 Cremation Symposium and discover what’s right for your business. Register now and head to the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino this February 26-28, 2025: cremationassociation.org/success. About CANA Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,700 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Barbara Kemmis Phone: (312) 245-1077 499 Northgate Parkway Wheeling, IL 60090-2646 Barbara@cremationassociation.org
Trust vs. Insurance: What’s Right For You? Wendy Russell Wiener, Bill Williams and The Great Debate at the 2025 CANA Symposium
WHEELING, IL— Imagine you decide to create a preneed sales program—or perhaps your preneed sales platform needs an overhaul. Where do you start? Wendy Russell Wiener and Bill Williams help you tackle step one: whether to sell insurance funded preneed or trust funded preneed. Join them as they take the stage for the Cremation Association of North America’s (CANA) 2025 Symposium. What you learn might surprise you!
What funding method should you offer your clients: trust or insurance? Which is easier to administer? Which is easier for your clients? Which will make you more money now? Which will make you more money overall? How do you know what’s best for your firm? Wendy Russell Wiener, Chair of the Regulatory department for Funeral Services, Inc. and Managing Member of WRW Legal, PLLC, and Bill Williams, Jr., LFD and Former President/CEO of Funeral Services, Inc., bring a point-by-point discussion to The Great Debate: Trust vs Insurance to highlight what is important when choosing a funding method.
“The preneed trust-insurance debate is more pertinent than in years past given the recent economic climate,” explains Bill. “Stubborn inflation is increasing operating costs and, if not held in check, could impact the expense of delivering merchandise and services when a contract turns at need. Funeral directors are searching for ways to protect operating margins, and trust contracts are appealing because they hold the potential for returns that outpace the cost of doing business.” Their session is designed to give the preneed seller the tools it needs to determine, or confirm, what’s right for that seller.
But it doesn’t stop there. CANA’s Symposium is packed with sessions designed to get you thinking about what furthers your business success:
How can you have it all? Join Wendy Russell Wiener and Bill Williams at CANA’s 2025 Cremation Symposium and discover what’s right for your business. Register now and head to the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino this February 26-28, 2025: cremationassociation.org/success.
Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,700 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.