Cremation Association of North America

02/11/2026

As more states legalize human composting and public interest rises, funeral professionals need solid, science‑based knowledge to guide families. CANA’s Natural Organic Reduction Operations Certification (NOROC) offers the first in‑depth training on the history, science, and best practices of NOR.
NOR is expanding quickly nationwide, making this training a timely credential for professionals who want to lead in sustainable disposition options.
Learn more & register: https://www.cremationassociation.org/noroc.html

02/10/2026

CANA is spreading the love this February with a Symposium Sweetheart Deal for you!
Explore today’s trends, generate new ideas, and discover future opportunities. Register for CANA's 2026 Symposium this February 25-27 in Las Vegas.
Use CANALOVE to get 10% off full registration: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/future/register
Plus, bring an additional employee for just $495, or a special someone for $350 (the spouse/travel companion rate)!

02/09/2026

"Unfortunately, [improving existing facilities don't] conjure the same appeal as new green death technologies – and that appeal is undeniable. It promises to make our final act ethical, restorative and spiritually resonant. Death becomes a way to reimagine ourselves as participants in ecological renewal rather than contributors to planetary harm. But danger arises when this dream eclipses scientific and regulatory realities."

Many people today want to commit their remains to rejuvenating the planet. But are these green deaths just greenwashing?

02/06/2026

"For some people, the feeling of loss can be intense, and bring on other symptoms that resemble panic, or fear. Researchers have now described these rushes of emotional pain, and devised ways to help."

For some people, the feeling of loss can be intense, and bring on other symptoms that resemble panic, or fear. Researchers have now described these rushes of emotional pain, and devised ways to help.

02/05/2026

We would do anything for the families we serve. So, how can we make sure we’ll be there for them in the future? Get your action plan in Las Vegas this February 25-27, 2026 with Kara Ludlum, CPA. She'll provide tips on how to help your business thrive and not just survive. You will learn actionable methods to manage inflation, leverage financing options, strengthen preneed programs, and move beyond burnout toward long-term financial health and business resilience.
See what else we have planned and register to attend: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/future/home/

02/04/2026

"Cremation may be the most visible indicator of change, but the deeper transformation is in how we accompany one another. We’re remembering that dying is not only a medical episode—it’s a relational, communal, and spiritual passage. If the last century professionalized death, this one is personalizing it."
Sara Marsden-Ille of DFS Memorials - Low Cost Cremations & Funerals adds the latest entry to CANA's Cremation Logs blog. Read on:

American death care is in the midst of a generational reset. Families are questioning long-standing rituals, women are reclaiming historic caregiving roles in funerals, and a growing corps of death...

02/02/2026

"There are currently three parishes in the diocese... that have onsite columbaria. Calvary Cemetery, the only Catholic cemetery in Nashville, has 10 columbaria on its grounds.
"In addition to the aforementioned columbaria, four parishes in the Diocese of Nashville are currently in various phases of columbaria planning or construction..."

Several parishes in the Diocese of Nashville are currently working on columbarium projects.

01/30/2026

"Because the monument industry produces specialty products, it typically runs on lead times of several weeks or months. Importers can see significantly different levy rates if the White House adjusts its trade policy between when memorial products are first ordered by customers and the granite is actually shipped to the U.S.
“'The uncertainty part is the hardest part we struggle with,' said Nathan Lange, president of Monument Builders of North America (MBNA), a trade group representing hundreds of business with an average lifespan of more than seven decades."

The small, family run companies that make traditional memorialization products like gravestones are facing the dual challenges of tariffs and cremation.

01/29/2026

The CANA Symposium room block closes Tuesday, February 3, so don't miss your change to bask in the splendor of the newly renovated Versailles Tower of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. The iconic cobblestone pathways are lined with delicious restaurants, exciting nightlife, and fun experiences. It’s all just steps away from the CANA Symposium event, under softly lit ceilings painted to emulate the Parisian sky. This combination of luxury and convenience is just $209 per night.
Book now: https://book.passkey.com/go/SPCRE6
And register for the Symposium: https://pheedloop.com/shareable/event/future/register

01/28/2026

Last Chance to Save $995: Buy 2, Get 1 Free on the CANA Deathcare Business Administration Certification!
This exclusive offer for CANA members ends on Saturday — don’t miss your chance to build a stronger, smarter team.
The Deathcare Business Administration Certification is a 10-week, entirely virtual program designed to help your team:
- Master people and financial management
- Build a shared leadership foundation
- Network with peers across the industry
Don’t wait—secure your spot now and save $995!
Sign up your team of 3 by January 31: https://goalmakers.com/cana

01/27/2026

The Most Comprehensive Training in Pet Bereavement Care.
Advance your professional skills and deepen your impact with the online and on-demand Pet Bereavement Certification Program – Levels 1, 2 & 3, available individually or as a bundled package with a $190 savings.
Developed with the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories, this program is created by pet aftercare professionals, for pet aftercare professionals. It represents the most in-depth, practical, and respected bereavement training available in our profession for communication skills, the grief process experienced when someone loses a beloved pet, and strategies for working with families.
Learn more and register:

Pet cremation and memorialization is a quickly growing segment of death care. CANA has resources and education opportunities to help you grow the range of services and products you can offer and education in service and operations for best practices of your business.