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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Barbara Kemmis Phone: (312) 245-1077 499 Northgate Parkway Wheeling, IL 60090-2646 Barbara@cremationassociation.org CANA Offers Complimentary Membership to Canadian Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Programs WHEELING, IL — The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) furthers its commitment to the future of the profession. In June 2026, CANA’s leadership voted to remove annual Association Membership dues for funeral service and mortuary science programs across Canada. As a result, all Canadian programs educating the next generation of funeral service professionals can now access CANA’s expertise, education, and community—at no cost. Through a complimentary Association Membership, accredited programs receive full access to CANA’s educational offerings, professional resources, industry research, and statistics that support instruction and curriculum development. Programs also gain access to CANA’s complete archive of The Cremationist magazine, along with discounts on training programs and events. Students, faculty, and staff affiliated with a school that holds a complimentary Association Membership receive free digital access to CANA. This access connects them to professional education, industry resources, and a national network of cremation professionals through CANA’s digital platforms and participate in discussions through the CANA Connect CommUnity forum. “I take great pride in supporting the next generation of funeral professionals. Having the opportunity to help our community recruit and retain a vibrant, diverse, and well-trained workforce is very rewarding,” said CANA Second Vice President and Membership Advisory Group Chair Bill Clark, owner of Clark's Funeral Services in British Columbia. “We have a tremendous opportunity at CANA: sharing the same values with the opportunities we provide.” “For some schools, allocating funds for professional association memberships can be challenging,” said CANA Executive Director Barbara Kemmis. “By eliminating this financial barrier, we are living our value of inclusivity. The Board intentionally addressed issues of access and equity to ensure more programs—especially public colleges and universities—can benefit from CANA membership.” Programs are invited to claim their complimentary membership when the timing is right for them Students, faculty, and staff can make their profiles anytime via the CANA website: cremationassociation.org. “We understand that every program operates on a different schedule,” said CANA Membership & Operations Manager Kenjuana Hall. “Our goal is to meet educators where they are and provide ongoing support as they prepare students for meaningful careers in funeral service.” This initiative expands the previous offer to accredited programs of the American Board of Funeral Service Educators (ABFSE)—the national accrediting organization in the US. Including Canadian programs reflects the Board of Directors’ commitment to investing in the next generation of professionals across North America. By offering full Association Membership to Canadian programs at no cost, CANA continues to strengthen its community, advance equity across public and private institutions, and expand access to the resources that support excellence in cremation education and practice. For more information about complimentary Association Membership for accredited programs, or to learn how to participate, visit cremationassociation.org 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
CANA Offers Complimentary Membership to Canadian Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Programs
WHEELING, IL — The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) furthers its commitment to the future of the profession. In June 2026, CANA’s leadership voted to remove annual Association Membership dues for funeral service and mortuary science programs across Canada. As a result, all Canadian programs educating the next generation of funeral service professionals can now access CANA’s expertise, education, and community—at no cost.
Through a complimentary Association Membership, accredited programs receive full access to CANA’s educational offerings, professional resources, industry research, and statistics that support instruction and curriculum development. Programs also gain access to CANA’s complete archive of The Cremationist magazine, along with discounts on training programs and events.
Students, faculty, and staff affiliated with a school that holds a complimentary Association Membership receive free digital access to CANA. This access connects them to professional education, industry resources, and a national network of cremation professionals through CANA’s digital platforms and participate in discussions through the CANA Connect CommUnity forum.
“I take great pride in supporting the next generation of funeral professionals. Having the opportunity to help our community recruit and retain a vibrant, diverse, and well-trained workforce is very rewarding,” said CANA Second Vice President and Membership Advisory Group Chair Bill Clark, owner of Clark's Funeral Services in British Columbia. “We have a tremendous opportunity at CANA: sharing the same values with the opportunities we provide.”
“For some schools, allocating funds for professional association memberships can be challenging,” said CANA Executive Director Barbara Kemmis. “By eliminating this financial barrier, we are living our value of inclusivity. The Board intentionally addressed issues of access and equity to ensure more programs—especially public colleges and universities—can benefit from CANA membership.”
Programs are invited to claim their complimentary membership when the timing is right for them Students, faculty, and staff can make their profiles anytime via the CANA website: cremationassociation.org.
“We understand that every program operates on a different schedule,” said CANA Membership & Operations Manager Kenjuana Hall. “Our goal is to meet educators where they are and provide ongoing support as they prepare students for meaningful careers in funeral service.”
This initiative expands the previous offer to accredited programs of the American Board of Funeral Service Educators (ABFSE)—the national accrediting organization in the US. Including Canadian programs reflects the Board of Directors’ commitment to investing in the next generation of professionals across North America. By offering full Association Membership to Canadian programs at no cost, CANA continues to strengthen its community, advance equity across public and private institutions, and expand access to the resources that support excellence in cremation education and practice.
For more information about complimentary Association Membership for accredited programs, or to learn how to participate, visit cremationassociation.org
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.