When THEY Don’t Choose Service, It’s Time to Adapt  

CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist Training Reconnects You with Today’s Cremation Families 

WHEELING, IL— Your business was built to serve families—and today, more of those families are choosing cremation. As they increasingly select simpler options or bypass services altogether, it may not be a rejection of care or ritual, but a sign that expectations have changed. The opportunity is not lost: it’s evolving. 

The Certified Cremation Specialist (CCS) training from the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) helps funeral professionals understand how to meet cremation families where they are, and bring meaningful service back into the conversation. 

Choosing cremation may seem simple, but moving through grief is not. CANA’s research shows that many long-held assumptions about cremation do not reflect today’s consumer beliefs, behaviors, or expectations. Families who choose cremation are not walking away from meaning, ritual, or professional guidance—they are looking for approaches that align with their values, timing, and preferences. 

The CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist program is designed for funeral home owners, managers, and arrangers who want to confidently serve this growing audience. Participants learn how to: 

• Adapt their approach with cremation families — both on the phone and at the arrangement table 

• Communicate value beyond disposition and support families in new ways 

• Stay compliant with the Funeral Rule and ethical standards 

• Create meaningful memorial opportunities before and after cremation 

This fully online, self-paced program fits into busy schedules and features eight engaging, thought-provoking short courses that translate existing expertise into today’s cremation-forward environment. 

Cremation families are still seeking connection, remembrance, and support, and with the right approach, funeral professionals remain essential guides in that process. 

Become a CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist and expand the way you serve. Registration is open now through July 31, 2026. Learn more and register at: cremationassociation.org/CCS 

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.