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  • For Practitioners
    • Why Join CANA? >
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    • 2025 Media Kit
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    • CANA PR Toolkit
    • Find Local CANA Members
  • Education
    • Access Your Online Courses
    • Crematory Operator Certification >
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      • 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

ARTICLE

Date ArticleType
8/4/2016 4:00:00 AM CANA Press Release

CANA/IAOPCC TO OFFER CERTIFIED PET CREMATORY OPERATOR PROGRAM (CPCO)

WHEELING, IL— The new Certified Pet Crematory Operator Program (CPCO), a collaboration between the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories and the Cremation Association of North America, is designed to ensure that business owners and their employees have the most current crematory operations training available in the market today. CANA Executive Director, Barbara Kemmis is thrilled to extend the association’s cremation offerings through this partnership. “Building on the solid foundation of the CANA Crematory Operations Certification Program™ (CANA COCP™), this new pet-focused curriculum developed in tandem with IAOPCC subject matter experts raises the standard for pet aftercare professional.” 

Participation in the CANA/IAOPCC CPCO Program assures the public that organizations are committed to safe pet cremation practices and that the utmost respect and care is a priority. Attendees will gain extensive knowledge—technical, scientific, and legal—all of which is proactive prevention for future business problems. Utilizing the core standards set forth in the IAOPCC’s Accreditation Program, the industry’s only accreditation program, the class will address major topic areas such as an overview of the pet cremation process, equipment and operations, the cremation process in detail, and standards and ethics. Taught by industry experts, this program provides pet loss cremation professionals of all backgrounds and levels of experience a thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures that will help reduce the risk of litigation. 

IAOPCC Executive Director Donna Shugart-Bethune is enthusiastic about the new training and what it will mean for her members, other pet aftercare professionals, and consumers. “As an international organization, we are excited to introduce this new and expanded CPCO Program. Through our joint efforts with CANA, we are continuing to raise the bar in pet aftercare excellence. This program will help solidify the most extensive and up-to-date practices in pet cremation care and crematory management. I know pet care professionals will want to be a part of this educational opportunity!”

The first CPCO training will be offered in conjunction with the IAOPCC 45th Annual Conference in Tarrytown, New York on September 22, 2016.  Visit https://www.iaopc.com/professionals/conference to register today. Please note: the CANA/IAOPCC Certified Pet Crematory Operator program is not interchangeable with the certification received through the CANA Crematory Operations Certification Program. This program is only open to those directly involved in pet cremations.

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.

About IAOPCC

The International Association Of Pet Cemeteries & Crematories (IAOPCC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the standards, ethics, and professionalism of pet cemeteries and crematories around the world. With members in more than 15 countries, IAOPCC is the recognized leader in the pet aftercare profession. 

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