Larry Stuart, Jr. Goes Beyond the Flame

Stuart Keynotes CANA’s Cremation Symposium in Las Vegas this February 25-27, 2026

WHEELING, IL— In a rapidly changing environment, taking one step back can give you the space you need to get a running leap forward. This February, join Larry Stuart, Jr. and explore what today’s trends reveal about tomorrow’s possibilities. Gather with colleagues to get inspired, gain practical strategies, and generate the energy you need for the year ahead at the Cremation Association of North America’s 2026 Cremation Symposium this February 25-27 in Las Vegas.

Blending strategic foresight with industry insight, this keynote session from industry expert Larry Stuart, Jr. challenges funeral and cremation professionals to think beyond the present moment. From sustainability and technology to shifting family dynamics and memorial expectations, Larry will connect current innovations to the broader evolution of how we remember, ritualize, and care for the dead.

“Instead of defending the way funeral service was, embrace the funeral services of today and the future,” encourages Larry. “The successful funeral service provider of the future will be the one known as the foremost expert on everything funeral-related including history, culture, ritual, disposition choices, diversity of religious beliefs, grief, celebration—and even new and creative funding methods—and the one who shares this knowledge freely.” Join Larry to apply strategic foresight principles so you can anticipate the opportunities, innovations, and challenges in your rapidly evolving marketplace.

Larry Stuart, Jr. is Founder and Principal at Raven Plume Consulting and is an internationally recognized expert in funeral service, cemetery operations, and cremation. Over the course of his career, Larry has been an author, speaker, trainer, consultant, and president of Cremation Equipment Manufacturing and Service Company — so when it comes to our profession, Larry brings both hands-on experience and a big-picture perspective. His session, Beyond the Flame: How Today’s Trends Are Shaping Cremation’s Next 150 Years, sponsored by National Guardian Life Insurance Company, will analyze how demographic shifts, environmental priorities, and emerging technologies may redefine cremation and consumer expectations over the next 150 years.

Many others with strategic insights will bring their expertise and practical takeaways to CANA’s 2026 Symposium:

A panel of legal and regulatory experts consider the Legal and Ethical Strategies for Unclaimed Remains. Tim Koch of Metro First Call, Tanya Marsh of Wake Forest University School of Law, Lara Price of Pappas Grubbs Price, and Wendy Russell Wiener of WRW Legal, PLLC, discuss how to protect your organization while honoring those left in your care with unclaimed remains.

Experienced cemeterians from coast-to-coast will tackle Cremation’s Role in Cemetery Financial Sustainability. Dan Applegate of The Arlington Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, Steve Brown of Mount Auburn Cemetery, and Sandra Walker of Fairmount Memorial Association, will discuss trends in consumer attitudes toward cremation memorialization.

Armed with the latest stats on consumer preferences in disposition methods across different demographics, Tanya Marsh, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor at Wake Forest University School of Law, shares highlights from the 2025 Wake Forest Law School study in Tomorrow’s Consumers in Focus: Casket Burial Gains Ground Among Younger Adults.

In Really Thriving or Just Surviving: How to Work Smarter and Build Wealth, Kara Ludlum, CPA and licensed funeral director, shares insights on why formerly financially strong funeral homes and cemeteries are now struggling and how to restore profitability and sustainability.

The future is bright when it comes to AI and the efficiencies it can bring. A panel of experts take the stage to share practical capabilities, case studies—and some cautionary tales—about AI usage in death care. The AI Panel features Lauren Pettine of WRW Legal, PLLC, Curtis Funk of Tukios, and Kris Yee of Prelude.

Take steps to transform your hospice relationships into strategic partnerships generating measurable results. Lacy Robinson, Sr. Business Consultant at Johnson Consulting Group, shares strategies to help you authentically connect with and support hospice care team members and leave with actionable frameworks in Advanced Hospice Partnership Strategies.

Time to network is what makes a CANA event unique. In addition to the intimate atmosphere and meals, the crowd-favorite Roundtables session brings attendees face-to-face with session presenters – including Larry – and leaders from across funeral service in all business models, locales, experience levels, and call. Get a seat at the table as we tackle today’s challenges and share solutions.

As the United States celebrates 150 years of cremation history, you’re invited to bring the future into focus with Larry Stuart, Jr. Register CANA’s 2026 Cremation Symposium February 25-27, 2026, at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino: cremationassociation.org/future.

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.