Alkaline hydrolysis is known as flameless cremation, water cremation, green cremation, chemical cremation and “the final spa treatment,” among other names. For consumers, each brings to mind a different experience, but what could it mean for your business? At the Cremation Association of North America’s 108th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention, registrants…
Read MoreIn 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,…
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Research from the Cremation Association of North America finds that as many as 25% of Americans and 20% of Canadians have cremated remains in their homes. While a majority of respondents reported the presence of these remains bring comfort, nearly 20% say they bring feelings of sadness or burden, and…
Read MoreArtificial intelligence is making itself felt everywhere in daily life. From a simple internet search to the more nuanced layers of customer service, it advances the promise that it can do anything – including a wide range of on-the-job tasks. If AI can support so many workplace tasks, how do…
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Is it hard to get families excited about the funeral arrangements you provide? When we use words that do not resonate with them — “traditional” or “service” or “church” or “chapel” — families will choose “direct cremation” or “direct burial.” But you can offer them another, more meaningful option. Glenda Stansbury (pictured at top) and…
Read MoreYour business was built to serve families — and today, more of those families are choosing cremation. As they increasingly select simpler options or bypass services altogether, it may not be a rejection of care or ritual, but a sign that expectations have changed. The opportunity is not lost ...…
Read MoreApproximately 50% of all deaths in the United States involve hospice care — and with a rapidly aging population, both hospice and death care providers will see growing demand in the years ahead. That makes strong, professional relationships between hospice teams and death care providers more essential than ever. Now…
Read MoreThe use of end-of-life doulas may seem like a new idea, but the practice of these caregivers is as old as death itself. How can funeral service professionals and doulas, united in their care for the dead and those who love them, work together? From her position as both end-of-life…
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What if the biggest risk to your business isn’t change — but misreading the change that’s coming? As the funeral profession continues to evolve, distinguishing meaningful, lasting shifts from short-lived fads has become increasingly challenging. At the Cremation Association of North America’s 108th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention, Tom Anderson, president of Funeral Director Daily, will…
Read MoreThe Cremation Association of North America continues its commitment to providing accurate and comprehensive cremation statistics to the deathcare profession and consumers. With over 25 years of data collection from state and provincial vital statistics departments, CANA's cremation statistics are widely regarded as the most reliable and current in the…
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Take a bite of the Mini-Apple! Explore all Minneapolis has to offer this August when you join the Cremation Association of North America for the 108th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention at the Marriott City Center hotel! This premier event brings innovative cremation professionals together to share ideas, learn from experts,…
Read MoreIn a profession built on care, presence, and reliability, it is easy for funeral professionals to give far more than they have space to replenish. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reduce stigma, foster connection, and remind one another that mental wellness is a shared responsibility. This…
Read MoreThe Cremation Association of North America continues to demonstrate its staunch commitment to the future of the profession. In February 2026, CANA’s leadership voted to remove annual association membership dues for funeral service and mortuary science programs accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. As a result, accredited…
Read MoreThe Cremation Association of North America has opened registration for its Certified Cremation Specialist program, inviting funeral professionals to deepen their skills in communication, ethics and family-centered cremation care. Created for practitioners who view funeral service as both a profession and a calling, CCS moves beyond procedures and compliance to…
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