WHEELING, IL — Take just one hour out of your workday to connect with colleagues on topics that matter to you. Join the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) for The Art and Science of Cremation: Crucial Conversations Virtual Series.
Beyond Direct Cremation: Memorialization kicks off the event on Wednesday, March 24, 1 pm CT. Along with facilitators Justin Crowe (Parting Stone), Jason Engler (UPD Urns), and Terry School (The Davis Whitehall Co.), you’re invited to chat with fellow funeral directors, arrangers, and counselors about how to move beyond direct cremation and honor the unique needs of every family.
We look forward to gathering in person soon, but in the meantime, we can still make the kinds of connections that people value by conceiving an entirely new kind of experience. The virtual conversation series was designed to bring practitioners together to talk about a topic that matters to their businesses. Subject experts Crowe, Engler, and School will speak briefly to get the ball rolling before the professionals join in a roundtable-style discussion, sharing challenges and solutions with colleagues.
The facilitators will begin with brief insights into moving beyond direct cremation with memorialization.
Roundtable conversations will focus on the latest trends, such as how funeral homes are shifting business practices, expanding offerings, and discovering new ways to successfully generate revenue during the pandemic; best practices for helping families to customize their memorialization for their loved ones; and valuable tools to help make the most of your urn selection area, keep online urn sales in your hands, and increase the satisfaction of families.
Three future conversations in the series will cover other topics:
- Planning, Training, and Efficiency in Crematory Operations on Wednesday, March 31, 1 pm CT. Crematory operators and managers can review best practices and maximize efficiencies in crematory operations. Facilitated by Larry Stuart, Jr. (Cremation Strategies & Consulting), Tom Krowl (Cremation Systems), and Lindsey Ballard (practitioner).
- Tools to Generate New Business continues the series on Wednesday, April 7, 1 pm CT. Owners and managers of funeral homes, crematories, and combos can come together to investigate new trends in deathcare and the opportunities that can set your business apart. Marketing, technology, death doulas… oh my! Facilitated by Stephen Carter (OpusXenta), Nick Grant (eFuneral), and Ashley Johnson (practitioner).
- Pandemic Lessons on Preneed and Aftercare concludes the series on Wednesday, April 14, 1 pm CT. Preneed sales agents, counselors, and funeral directors can examine the shifting landscape around funeral planning, aftercare, and preneed sales and find strategies to take advantage of current trends. Facilitated by Jon Lefrandt (The Domani Group), Alex McCracken (Funeral Innovations), Mitch Smith (eFuneral), and others to be announced.
“This is a welcoming, committed, and supportive group of people tackling issues that matter,” said Denis Desrochers, CANA Board Member and member of the Symposium Planning Advisory Group. If you’ve never been to a CANA event, this is a whole new way to meet. This space is designed to be progressive, practical, professional—and comfortable!
Thanks to the generosity of series sponsors Dignity Memorial and Implant Recycling, registration is free for CANA Members and just $15 for non-members. The first conversation, Beyond Direct Cremation, is sponsored by In Lieu of Flowers, Nomis, and Parting Stone. CANA is seeking CE approval from the Academy (APFSP). Event details and registration are available at goCANA.org/crucialconversations
About CANA
Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,300 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.
