In 2026, the funeral profession marks an extraordinary milestone: the 150th anniversary of the first modern cremation in North America—the sesquicentennial. In honor of this moment, Jason Ryan Engler, the historian for the Cremation Association of North America, will take the stage at the 108th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention. Together, we’ll toast to a century-and-a-half of progress and the enduring legacy of the cremation movement.
It all began in 1876, when Baron De Palm was cremated at the LeMoyne Crematory in Washington, Pennsylvania. That moment sparked a movement that has profoundly shaped today’s death‑care landscape. Engler’s session honors cremation’s transformation from a radical fringe experiment to its current status as the gold standard of deathcare, highlighting the visionary pioneers and the evolutionary practices of CANA’s members that have redefined how we serve families. More than just a retrospective, his session is an upbeat tribute to our shared heritage and a forward-looking cheer of support for the professionals who continue to lead the way in dignity, art, and innovation.
“Paper dissolves and computers crash, but when a name is engraved on a permanent memorial urn made of material that will endure, or on a stone marking a place of rest, these permanent, tangible signs provide steppingstones for future generations,” Engler said. “May we never lose sight of the ever-present necessity of our association and our calling, and may we never fail to put families and their needs and desires ahead of our own. We must do all that we can do to maintain the heritage of our ever-changing culture. To do so is to fully serve those who call on us in times of need. It is, after all, what our life’s work is all about.” From Dr. Francis LeMoyne’s revolutionary spark in 1876 to the diverse, personalized memorialization landscape of 2026, Engler’s session will help us in Learning from History –including the evolution of the ever-popular CANA statistics.
Engler is a licensed funeral director with more than fifteen years of experience as a historian, researcher, and thought leader in the cremation profession. Widely known as the Cremation Historian, he serves as the official historian for CANA and for the National Museum of Funeral History. His extensive work documenting the evolution of cremation practices has made him a respected voice in the field, frequently sought after for his deep knowledge of cremation products, history, and merchandising trends.
CANA’s convention offers innovative ideas grounded in presenters’ experience:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, for a 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.
- 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 does 150 years of cremation history teach us about where the profession is headed next? Join Jason Engler in Minneapolis this August for CANA’s 108th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention. Register today for August 12-14, 2026, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center: cremationassociation.org/CANA26
About CANA
Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America 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.
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