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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Barbara Kemmis Phone: (312) 245-1077 499 Northgate Parkway Wheeling, IL 60090-2646 Barbara@cremationassociation.org Navigating Difficult Decisions, Together Join the Virtual Funeral Professionals Peer Support Meeting in February WHEELING, IL — As a funeral professional, you always want to say "yes" to a family. Unfortunately, you’re going to encounter situations that leave you feeling not so sure. Values, expectations, ethics, policies… how do you prioritize when everything matters? The February Peer Support Meeting is dedicated to navigating these difficult situations together. Join the conversation on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:30pm ET / 6:30pm CT / 4:30pm PT. As practitioners, we rely on our values, ethical standards, and workplace policies to guide us. Yet when those factors conflict, navigating the pressure can be emotionally draining — and even after a decision is made, the lingering feelings of tension or guilt can take a toll. This month’s meeting creates a space to talk openly about these challenges and find support from peers who understand the weight of difficult decisions. The February session will be guided by Martha Thayer, who received emeritus status after more than 25 years of teaching and leading as Program Chair of the Mortuary Science Department at Arapahoe Community College. Martha continues her passion for lifelong learning as a presenter, trainer, and continuing education curriculum designer, specializing in the practical, day-to-day challenges faced by funeral professionals and the organizations that serve their communities. She will lead a discussion on how we balance conflicting values, ethics, policies, and family needs — and how we find peace with the decisions we make today and the challenges faced by funeral professionals and the organizations that serve their communities. This meeting is open to anyone who serves their community during its hardest moments—from front office to back room, chapel to gravesite, suited to coveralls, and everyone in between. Apprentices, interns, and students are welcome. No registration required. Just mark your calendar, save the Zoom link, and join us for an hour of grounding, connection, and peer support. This virtual funeral professional peer support meeting takes place Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7:30pm ET / 6:30pm CT / 4:30pm PT via Zoom link at at cremationassociation.org/peersupport. No registration is required, simply follow the link to join. (Please note that this meeting is hosted 30 minutes prior to previous meetings. Please double-check your time zone before attending.) 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. About Funeral Professionals Peer Support Funeral Professionals Peer Support Group is committed to providing support, healing, education and knowledge to funeral professionals. They promote wholeness and wellness by uniting funeral sector professionals through a Canada-wide network of regional organizations offering support, information and resources within their community.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Barbara Kemmis Phone: (312) 245-1077 499 Northgate Parkway Wheeling, IL 60090-2646 Barbara@cremationassociation.org
Navigating Difficult Decisions, Together Join the Virtual Funeral Professionals Peer Support Meeting in February
WHEELING, IL — As a funeral professional, you always want to say "yes" to a family. Unfortunately, you’re going to encounter situations that leave you feeling not so sure. Values, expectations, ethics, policies… how do you prioritize when everything matters? The February Peer Support Meeting is dedicated to navigating these difficult situations together. Join the conversation on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:30pm ET / 6:30pm CT / 4:30pm PT.
As practitioners, we rely on our values, ethical standards, and workplace policies to guide us. Yet when those factors conflict, navigating the pressure can be emotionally draining — and even after a decision is made, the lingering feelings of tension or guilt can take a toll. This month’s meeting creates a space to talk openly about these challenges and find support from peers who understand the weight of difficult decisions.
The February session will be guided by Martha Thayer, who received emeritus status after more than 25 years of teaching and leading as Program Chair of the Mortuary Science Department at Arapahoe Community College. Martha continues her passion for lifelong learning as a presenter, trainer, and continuing education curriculum designer, specializing in the practical, day-to-day challenges faced by funeral professionals and the organizations that serve their communities. She will lead a discussion on how we balance conflicting values, ethics, policies, and family needs — and how we find peace with the decisions we make today and the challenges faced by funeral professionals and the organizations that serve their communities.
This meeting is open to anyone who serves their community during its hardest moments—from front office to back room, chapel to gravesite, suited to coveralls, and everyone in between. Apprentices, interns, and students are welcome.
No registration required. Just mark your calendar, save the Zoom link, and join us for an hour of grounding, connection, and peer support. This virtual funeral professional peer support meeting takes place Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7:30pm ET / 6:30pm CT / 4:30pm PT via Zoom link at at cremationassociation.org/peersupport. No registration is required, simply follow the link to join. (Please note that this meeting is hosted 30 minutes prior to previous meetings. Please double-check your time zone before attending.)
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.
Funeral Professionals Peer Support Group is committed to providing support, healing, education and knowledge to funeral professionals. They promote wholeness and wellness by uniting funeral sector professionals through a Canada-wide network of regional organizations offering support, information and resources within their community.