Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
  • 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
  • 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

ARTICLE

Date ArticleType
8/1/2022 4:00:00 AM CANA Press Release

Stronger Together: The Value Of Peer Support - Employee Engagement & Retention at CANA’s Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

STRONGER TOGETHER: THE VALUE OF PEER SUPPORT
Employee Engagement and Retention at CANA’s Convention

WHEELING, IL—Burnout may have been the buzzword recent years, but it’s not a new one. The World Health Organization classified it as an occupational phenomenon “resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed” starting in the early 1990s. So, how can we counter burnout and support our colleagues in the funeral profession? Learn firsthand how peer support can promote health and wellness in the workplace. Join Michael Dixon, Founder, and Kim Zavrotny, Program Director USA, of Funeral Professionals Peer Support at CANA’s 104th Cremation Innovation Convention in Atlanta, Georgia this August 17-19, 2022.

Those in caregiving careers are more likely to suffer from burnout. Funeral professionals show compassion to grieving families every day, and they commonly cite burnout and depression as reasons for leaving a company—or even the profession. This can’t be just an individual’s issue. It’s on owners, managers, and all of us to support each other in the workplace.

As Founder of Funeral Professionals Peer Support, Michael Dixon will share the personal experiences that encouraged him to reach out to colleagues when the work overwhelmed. Kim Zavrotny, licensed funeral director at McComas Funeral Homes in Maryland, will talk about bringing the practice state-side to enrich her funeral home and the profession as a whole.

“We can’t go on doing the same thing and expecting different results. We have lost too many amazing, talented people in our profession to suicide and burnout,” says Michael. “That’s why, as a profession, we can be the leaders. We joined this profession because we care about people. Now it’s time to care for one another.”

Michael and Kim share the stage with presentations from other experts:

  • Brian Waters co-host of Undertaking: The Podcast, opens the convention with a plan to Question Everything.
  • Jake Johnson, President & CEO of Johnson Consulting, helps attendees set their goals and priorities with Interactive Strategic Planning.
  • CANA’s own Barbara Kemmis facilitates a discussion on Cremation Trends Part 1: Statistics and Business Diversification with expert insights from leaders across the profession.
  • Cremation Trends Part 2: Cremation Memorialization introduces the results of brand-new research on memorialization trends in the US and Canada.
  • John Baker and Judy Olson, of National Guardian Life Insurance, share their data and experience with Cremation & Preneed.
  • …plus, the always popular Roundtable Conversations offer collaborative discussion on solutions and new ideas for all attendees!

Join the movement to support your staff and colleagues with Funeral Professionals Peer Support! Savor your bite of the Big Peach and join CANA for the 104th Cremation Innovation Convention August 17-19 at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit goCANA.org/CANA22 to see what else we have planned for the event and register to join other cremation business owners and managers from across the country.

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
[email protected]
Privacy Policy | Liability Disclaimers

Quick Links

home
about
media
statistics
contact us
login
Picture