Helping Families Find Clarity on the Journey From Cremation to Memorialization
Experts Unveil Data‑Driven Solutions to the Rising Challenge of Unplaced Cremated Remains in Minneapolis this August 12-14, 2026
WHEELING, IL— Consumer research from the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) shows that approximately 25% of U.S. households and 20% of Canadian households have cremated remains in their homes. But leaders know that there is opportunity in every challenge – how can today’s practice adapt to this new reality? CANA’s 108th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention this August 12-14, 2026, in Minneapolis brings together two industry experts to share information that makes a difference in today’s business in Information is Power: Updates from Industry Experts.
For many families, finding the right place for cremated remains is a puzzle: grieving families often don’t know what to do with them. Howard Sankel takes a data-driven look at The Growing “What Can Be Done With Cremated Remains” Aftercare Market. He will share how, with a very little bit of effort, attendees can help get cremated remains out of homes and better honored, while increasing total consumer death care spend.
“There are too many boxes and urns of cremated remains sitting on garage shelves and in coat closets. There are too many times that cremated remains are scattered under disrespectful circumstances,” explains Howard Sankel, Creator of the Options for Ashes industry initiative and founder of Elaníf. “Consumers have many options for cremation ashes. The funeral profession can be a part of the decision-making process to select the perfect way to remember and honor a life well-lived.” Sankel’s session focuses on improving both customer satisfaction and business outcomes among cremation families.
The growing popularity of cremation didn’t just change what families chose—it changed when, how, and if they come back to the cemetery. Sarah Tepe helps attendees begin Creating a New Approach: A Unified Voice for Cemetery Placement After Cremation. With practical ways to reconnect with families and work more closely with funeral home and crematory partners, Sarah’s session will show how the profession can help families see a final step beyond cremation.
“This shift creates a real opportunity: to connect with families in a different way and be there when they start thinking about long-term care and remembrance,” explains Sarah Tepe. “As an industry, we can help shape how families think about cremation—not as the end of the decision, but as one step in a larger journey.” Sarah Tepe is President of Cressy Memorial where she leads strategy, growth, and innovation within the death care and memorialization industry. Her session offers a clearer way to guide families toward permanent placement over time.
Get even more ideas for guiding families through their decisions at the CANA Convention with session from:
- 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 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.
- What Does Gathering Look Like For You? Brent Patterson, Funeral Director at Primrose Funeral Service, and Glenda Stansbury, the Director of Training for Insight Books, bring a new perspective to the power of words as we paint the picture of gathering for our families.
- Honnalora Hubbard, Regional Sales for Coldspring USA, will show us how to change the conversation around Abandoned Urns: A Crisis in America, with 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!
What if guiding families toward permanent placement wasn’t complicated — just consistent? Join Howard Sankel and Sarah Tepe in Minneapolis this August for ideas that help families move from “at home” to “at rest”. Register for CANA’s 108th Annual Convention this August 12-14, 2026, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center: cremationassociation.org/CANA26
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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.
