The original Crematory Operator Certification Program: In 1983 the Cremation Association of North America announced its new “Technical Seminar” series – the first ever organized training course on the maintenance and operation of cremation equipment. While this was the first organized seminar, CAA/CANA conventions typically featured at least one discussion of a technical nature from the Association’s inception in 1913. For instance, at the 1914 convention of the Association there were presentations by Frank Cobb of the Massachusetts Cremation Society regarding “Crematory Burners & Repairs” and there was a discussion by Nelson Gorusch of Flanner & Buchanan’s Indianapolis Crematory on a new idea regarding “Gas Incinerators” – which were just starting to be used. This suggested uniform operation and practice was first manifested in the “Manual of Standard Crematory & Columbarium Practices” – first published in 1941. For the past century, the Cremation Association of North America has been acknowledged as the continent’s leader and most trusted resource for all things cremation.
Source: The Cremation Historian
