What Does Gathering Look Like For You?
Glenda Stansbury and Brent Patterson to Inspire at the CANA Convention this August 12-14, 2026
WHEELING, IL— Is it hard to get families excited about the funeral arrangements you provide? When we use words that do not resonate with them — “traditional” or “service” or “church” or “chapel” — families will choose “direct cremation” or “direct burial.” But you can offer them another, more meaningful option.
Glenda Stansbury and Brent Patterson ask What Does Gathering Look Like For You? at the Cremation Association of North America’s 108th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention. They suggest new ideas for arrangement language that opens doors to further conversation. Be inspired and gather ideas you can put to work right away. Join us in Minneapolis this August 12-14, 2026.
Many conference presentations in our profession say that the contemporary customer does not find value or meaning in what we provide for them. That families are only aware of what they have already experienced and do not wish to repeat it. From their years of working with families as funeral directors and Celebrants, Brent Patterson and Glenda Stansbury bring a new perspective to reimagining our offerings and redefining how we paint the picture of gathering for our families.
“Families need a service to begin their grief journey in a healthy and honest way. Unless we are willing to provide the professionals and the services that they are looking for, they are going to continue to walk away,” reminds Glenda Stansbury. “When families have options, funeral homes are going to lose every time unless their option is better, more appealing and soul-touching.” Glenda and Brent will show you how to make a meaningful connection with ceremonies designed to involve the family.
Glenda Stansbury, Director of Training for Insight Books (a Division of Funeral Directors Resource), has worked as an educator, teacher trainer, and seminar developer. Brent Patterson, Funeral Director at Primrose Funeral Service, is an event producer turned funeral director from rural Oklahoma known for creating meaningful, personalized experiences that honor life and bring people together. In their session, What Does Gathering Look Like For You?, they will discuss new ideas for arrangement language, how to utilize Celebrants to create meaningful gatherings, and how to brand your firm through pictures and video and social media.
CANA Convention speakers provide more ideas on how you can support families and your future business:
- Tom Anderson, President of Funeral Director Daily, examines Fads, Trends, Traditions… and the future of Death Care, reflecting on industry insights and real-world observations with perspective on which changes are fleeting and which are likely to leave a lasting impact.
- Drawing on two vastly different early-career experiences, Allison Craft, General Manager of Cremation Society Minnesota, and Allison Henz, Community Engagement Lead of Foundation Partners Group, explore how intentional mentorship directly impacts long-term success with From Mortuary School to Service: Why Mentorship Matters.
- With ideas on how you can start Bridging the Gap: Synergizing End-of-Life Doulas with Funeral Directors and Crematories, Ashley Johnson, End-of-Life Doula, Loyal Hands LLC shares practical strategies for integrating doulas into funeral and cremation services.
- Two industry experts share the stage with updates, because Information is Power. First, Howard Sankel, President of Options for Ashes, addresses The Growing “What Can Be Done With Cremated Remains” Aftercare Market. Then, Sarah Tepe, President of Crowne Vault, assists in Creating a New Approach: A Unified Voice for Cemetery Placement After Cremation.
- Honnalora Hubbard, Regional Sales for Coldspring USA, will show us how to change the conversation around Abandoned Urns: A Crisis in America, offering practical conversation tools to shift from transactions to legacies.
- Artificial intelligence is shaping how we write, organize, communicate, and serve families. With AI in Funeral Service: Ethics, Compassion, and Professional Judgment, Martha Thayer, Founder & President of Mortuary Training, explores the responsibilities that come with AI use in funeral service.
- Look backward and forward with this year’s research session, Learning from History: History of CANA Statistics. CANA Historian Jason Engler honors cremation’s transformation from a radical fringe experiment into the gold standard of deathcare.
- Plus, if you’re curious to see Flame and Water Cremation in Two Settings: A Tour of Two Businesses, you can get your add-on ticket to examine a Bio-Response Solutions machine at Metro First Call and a Resomation machine in use at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation.
Lacy Robinson leads a special pre-convention offering, CANA’s new Certified Hospice Relations Specialist (CHRS) training workshop. This one‑day certification is designed to help funeral home owners, managers, licensed funeral directors, preneed specialists, and outreach or family care staff build structured, respectful partnerships with hospice organizations. Registration is available separately from the Convention or as an add-on!
How do you help families imagine a gathering they’ve never seen before? Join Glenda Stansbury and Brent Patterson in Minneapolis this August and transform the arrangement experience. Register for CANA’s 108th Annual Convention this August 12-14, 2026, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center: cremationassociation.org/CANA26
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.
