WHEELING, IL— In the realm of grief and healing, the profound impact of personalized services and human connection cannot be overstated. Funeral professionals play a crucial role in the journey by providing personalized options and experiences that cater to the specific needs of grieving families. To further your ability to create lasting connections, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) invites you to the 106th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention for a session on The Power of Service & The Power of Human Connection from two experts in their field. Join Glenda Stansbury and Kelly Manion this September 11-13, 2024, in Chicago.
The conversation about Celebrants often focuses on how to create unique and personalized services. What is not always discussed is the deep connection to the grief experience for our families. Glenda Stansbury, MA, CFSP, LFD, shares her 40 years of experience with grief and Celebrant service to show the connection between The Impact of Grief—The Power of Service. During her presentation, she will discuss how to listen to families, how to present options that offer safe spaces, and discern what needs they may have.
“I’ve said it before: grief ignored does not go away,” asserts Glenda Stansbury. “Unresolved grief, no matter the age, has life-long devastating results. We should be incredibly vigilant in providing safe spaces and listening ears for anyone who needs a companion.” Glenda brings her unique perspective to the CANA Convention with her wide variety of experiences and expertise serving grieving families in her role as VP of Marketing and Development for In-Sight Books and Dean of the In-Sight Institute.
Expanding on this foundation, enhancing grief support and aftercare programs can significantly elevate the role of a funeral provider within the community. Integrating comprehensive grief support into aftercare programs positions a business as a place of compassion and comfort—and Kelly Manion, Director of Consumer Marketing at Homesteaders Life Company, heads to the CANA Convention with some solutions! In her presentation, The Power of Human Connection: Elevating Your Grief Support & Aftercare Programs, she’ll help you understand the unique ways people grieve and how to assist individuals in the midst of it.
“As a deathcare practitioner, you play a crucial role in supporting families during one of the most challenging times of their lives,” states Kelly Manion. “Grief is messy and unpredictable, and knowing how to offer compassionate and thoughtful support can make a significant difference.” Kelly is a grief support specialist who offers valuable resources to those who are grieving with nearly 25 years devoted to purpose-driven work and over a decade of experience in the funeral service profession. By fostering human connections and offering tailored grief support, Kelly will show convention attendees how to create lasting, positive impacts on those navigating the complexities of loss.
The additional lineup of compelling presentations includes:
- Choosing to be a better leader for your team, your business, and yourself in Being a Leader of Influence with Robbie Pape, Senior Vice President & Regional Partner, Carriage Services.
- By popular demand, Sara Murphy, PhD, FT, Death Educator & Suicidologist with the University of Rhode Island, returns with Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk Within the Deathcare Profession.
- Jolena Grande, faculty with the Mortuary Science Program at Cypress College, discussing the role of women in funeral service from her unique perspective in Death Becomes Her: The Changing Demographics of Funeral Service Practitioners.
- Lee Hovermale Strategic Advisor to the CEO of KiZAN Technologies, with over 30 years of expertise in the technology sector, covers Cybersecurity Awareness: Recognizing a Threat, and Protecting Your Data for you and your families.
- Information is Power: Updates from Industry Experts feature insights on three forces on your business. CANA President Robert Hunsaker discussing how CANA’s 2024 Annual Cremation Statistics Report impacts your business. He’s joined by Assistant Vice President of Government & Industry Relations of Service Corporation International, Caressa Hughes who will provide an update on the regulatory and legal landscape of the profession. Plus, Vice President of Cemetery Operations of Legacy Funeral Group, Steve Bassett, offering lessons learned from Cemetery Consumer Service Council (CCSC).
- The Cremation Historian Jason Engler, regional sales manager for the Wilbert Group looks to history’s strategies for modern permanent placement in The Eternal Value of Cremation Memorials/Avoiding Mistakes of the Past: Cremated Remains Belong in Cemeteries.
Dr. Sara Murphy also leads a special pre-Convention workshop with Aaron Pelchat, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. Together, they’ll say the quiet part out loud on The Silent Problem: Talking about Mental Health and Funeral Service. Their workshop will help us understand realities of common mental health issues – think compassion fatigue and burnout – unpack the challenges to self-care, and discover therapeutic tools for improving mental health. Registration is available separately from the Convention or as an add-on!
Discover new ways to connect with families on their grief journey. Join Glenda Stansbury and Kelly Manion at CANA’s 106th Cremation Innovation Convention! Enjoy Chicago in September and book yourself for September 11-13, 2024, at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park: cremationassociation.org/CANA24
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.
