Learning Paths for Funeral Professionals at Every Career Stage
The Professional Cremation Curriculum from CANA
WHEELING, IL— Whether you’re an experienced owner or manager looking to stay ahead with the latest industry trends, a new manager seeking essential leadership training, a career professional focused on practical knowledge, or a team member pursuing information on best practices and safety in operations, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has you covered. CANA is proud to introduce a range of tailored learning opportunities designed to meet your unique needs as a funeral professional at every stage of your career. Continuing our mission to be the trusted authority and educator on all aspects of cremation, CANA’s education programs offer the knowledge and skills to succeed in today’s evolving industry.
By 2033, statistical analysis predicts cremation will be the preferred form of disposition in every state, with the cremation rate in some states and provinces having already surpassed 80%. Meeting families where they are, readying operations for the rising need, and building your business to adapt to this ever-evolving industry requires training with cremation at the core to support future growth. For more than 40 years, CANA has been the leader in cremation-first education, professional development, and training to support your business’s continued growth and evolution.
Experienced Owners and Managers: Further your leadership and strategic growth at CANA’s late-summer Annual Cremation Innovation Convention and mid-winter Cremation Symposium. Explore industry trends and connect in person with colleagues from across the profession. The 107th Annual Convention at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, August 6-8, 2025, unites some of the most forward-thinking leaders in a small, focused event. Share ideas, learn from experts, and see the newest products and services offered by industry suppliers.
New Managers: Whether you’re stepping into a fresh role or seeking success through advancement, you’ll benefit from the most recent addition to CANA’s course lineup. Gain essential skills in management of people and finances with the CANA Deathcare Business Administration Certification. Our 10-week virtual program, kicking off on April 1, allows you to work at your own pace and tailor your learning to your personal schedule, with bi-weekly live facilitation providing an opportunity to address how the lessons apply to your business and gain feedback from your peers.
Career Professionals: Find focused, practical learning at any stage with education that provides immediate practical application to the job at hand. From body preparation and FTC compliance to communication skills and understanding grief expressions, CANA’s Online Education offers targeted training in a bite-sized format with cremation at the core. Put it all together as a CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist and your expertise will demonstrate to families that you care. Join the 2025 cohort this year and complete the online program at your own pace, starting on April 1.
Operations Staff throughout the industry can continue to rely on CANA for essential skills in crematory operations. Offered online or in-person, the CANA Crematory Operations Certification Program (COCP) serves as the foundation for cremation in your business. The COCP continues to evolve, reflecting the needs of the modern business by featuring both flame cremation and alkaline hydrolysis, or targeting the unique needs of the pet crematory, or providing a refresher on state-specific requirements, or delivering valuable content in English, Spanish, and French. Additionally, CANA’s recent addition of the Natural Organic Reduction Operations Certification (NOROC) provides a valuable introduction to this newest disposition method and what it could mean for your business operations.
With CANA Education, you gain knowledge to reach today’s consumer so you’re ready to meet tomorrow’s demand. Our courses are developed in collaboration with business leaders, educators, manufacturers, practitioners, and legal authorities to ensure they meet the need of the modern professional. Each program is approved for continuing education credits for licensees, meets states’ certification requirement (as applicable), and can get you closer to earning your Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.
When you register for a CANA certification program, convention, or online class—or join as a member—you become a participant in a community of cremation experts from all career stages and business types united by cremation at its core. CANA is a recognized and valued brand for all things cremation, so funeral professionals are sure to benefit from the association’s decades of cremation expertise.
Learn more about how CANA Education offers something for every career stage. Visit the CANA website: cremationassociation.org/education.
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.
