2026 Crematory Operations In-Person Trainings Announced
Earn Your Crematory Operations Certification Online or In-Person: Recognized In 19 States and Backed By 40+ Years of Expertise
WHEELING, IL— If cremation is core to your business, your team needs training that ensures they have the technical, scientific, and legal knowledge to protect your operations. For more than 40 years, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has set the standard for crematory operations training with the original Crematory Operations Certification Program™ (CANA COCP™)—modernized to become the first and only program to include both flame and water cremation.
In 2026, CANA offers multiple opportunities for professionals to earn this essential certification in-person or online, meeting the certification requirement in 20 states and providing up to eight hours of continuing education (CE) hours. The CANA COCP is the trusted source for certification of more than 2,000 professionals each year.
WHAT MAKES THE CANA COCP™ UNIQUE?
CANA is the first and only association to provide comprehensive training on both flame and water cremation processes, including equipment, operations, and best practices. The program delivers a detailed look at critical procedures such as chain of custody, reducing legal risk, and addressing environmental concerns. Every course—whether in-person or online—is developed with input from leading flame cremator and alkaline hydrolysis manufacturers, ensuring participants receive the most current and accurate information.
2026 In-Person Training Schedule
- Whittier, CA – March 3: Tom Krowl of Cremation Systems and Dave Daniels of law firm ElGuindy, Meyer & Koegel, APC head to southern California for the first in-person training of 2026.
- St. Petersburg, FL – June 23: John Mitchell of IR Environmental and Wendy Russell Wiener of WRW Legal share their crematory operations expertise with attendees in the Tampa Bay area.
- Loveland, CO – October 12: Tom Krowl and Dave Daniels offer training to meet the new Colorado requirements for certification ahead of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association 2026 Annual Convention.
- Albany, NY – November 3: Exclusively for New York operators, Larry Stuart, Jr. of Raven Plume Consulting and Wendy Russell Wiener offer New York State-specific training in collaboration with the New York State Division of Cemeteries, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Association of Cemeteries.
Register for any of these sessions at cremationassociation.org/COCP.
ONLINE CERTIFICATION: FLEXIBLE, INTERACTIVE, MULTILINGUAL
CANA’s Online COCP makes certification accessible anytime, anywhere. Unlike static recorded lectures, the online course offers interactive content on both flame and water cremation, allowing professionals to learn at their own pace. Plus, in addition to English, CANA now offers Spanish and French translations, expanding access to cremation best practices for North America’s diverse workforce.
WHY CHOOSE CANA CERTIFICATION?
Whether taken in-person or online, CANA COCP™ certification is a mark of distinction—recognized across the industry and developed in collaboration with crematory manufacturers, operators, practitioners, and legal experts. With CANA’s decades of experience, funeral professionals gain confidence and credibility in crematory operations. Join the 2,000 professionals who are CANA certified each year and register today!
Registration is just $695, with discounts for CANA Members, students, and service members. Learn more and demo the online course at cremationassociation.org/COCP.
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.
