Cremation Association of North America

04/10/2026

“Funeral service providers … really embrace these alternative forms of disposition and [embrace] elaborating on what the definition of traditional funeral service is,” said Jesse Gomes, a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Connecticut. “We think it’s great.”

Burial rates are falling in CT and nationally as alternative methods — like water cremation, composting and green burials — gain popularity.

04/09/2026

"Crews have already cleared debris, ground down tree stumps, and planted shrubs across the property. Buster says the response from the community has been overwhelming.
“'It really is amazing when the community gets involved,' he said. 'We had over 20 people come out during spring break, even students from Auburn gave up part of their break to help us.'”

The project includes planting approximately 145 trees and shrubs, stretching nearly the length of two football fields.

04/08/2026

"Cremation has never had just one meaning. It has been a sanitary solution, a memorial movement, a practical option, a cultural shift, and a deeply personal choice. Understanding that complexity — and listening closely to what families are really seeking — helps us serve with greater empathy, clarity, and confidence."
From the latest entry in the Cremation Logs blog:

When modern cremation was introduced 150 years ago, it was seen as a sanitary innovation — a cleaner, more dignified alternative to the slow decomposition people were accustomed to. Early advocates...

04/07/2026

Save the date for CANA's 2027 Cremation Symposium: sessions that generate solutions and set up conversations that carry over to networking, shared meals, and roundtables.
Luxuriate with CANA and your colleagues at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, February 24-26, 2027.

04/06/2026

"According to assistant director April Zee, land conservation has served as a pillar of the cemetery since its opening in 2010.
“'Every burial we do helps to preserve more acreage of land,'” Zee said. 'The goal is to keep burying, keep getting land. The minute you put a body in the land, that land can never be built on or developed.'”

Natural burials, also known as green burials, are an alternate form of end-of-life care that champion cleaner funeral practices.

04/03/2026

"Last month, a rather macabre case of kidnapping unfolded when 15 cremation urns containing ashes of the deceased were reported to be stolen from a memorial park in Negeri Sembilan.
"...the alleged thief recently contacted the park’s management and made a disturbing demand: 'Pay me, and the urns will be returned'." [MALAYSIA]

An individual claiming to have "found" containers of cremated human remains contacted the memorial park and demanded payment for their safe return.

04/02/2026

Have you stepped back from the funeral profession—or know someone who has? MentalhealthFSP is conducting an independent, confidential survey to understand early career departures, pivots, and reduction in time to funeral service careers.
Take the anonymous survey:

Please click the link to complete this form.

04/01/2026

CCS Registration Is Open Today.
For many funeral professionals, this work is more than a job—it’s a calling. The CANA‑Certified Cremation Specialist program supports that commitment by focusing on communication, empathy, ethical care, and meaningful connection with cremation families.
Online and self‑paced, CCS fits your schedule while helping you serve with even greater confidence and intention.
Learn more and register today:

The CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist program delivers funeral directors and arrangers the knowledge and skills that make cremation a more fulfilling experience for families and profitable for business owners.

03/31/2026

Last Chance! Transform into the leader you aspire to be with the Deathcare Business Administration Certification.

This is your final call to join an empowering journey of organizational leadership, management mastery, and financial fluency. Launching tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1, our program offers a blend of executive MBA-level education and practical, real-world application over a concise 10-week course. Connect with fellow funeral industry peers and industry experts to share insights, strategies, and success stories.

Ready to lead, inspire, and succeed? Enroll now and secure your spot in the Deathcare Business Administration Certification!

To learn more and register today, visit goalmakers.com/cana.

Your path to leadership excellence starts here!

03/30/2026

"Most crematoriums in B.C. can handle up to 500 pounds. Facilities must follow strict rules and are overseen by Consumer Protection B.C.
"A spokesperson for Attorney General Nikki Sharma acknowledged the challenges but wrote that regulations will not change.
“'The law does not require facilities to have uniform cremation capacity, and the province is not considering changes at this time,” the spokesperson said in a statement.'"

A Kelowna, B.C., woman says she has faced challenges ensuring her father’s cremation is handled with dignity after his death.

03/27/2026

Take a bite out of the Mini-Apple!
Registration is open for exhibitors and attendees for CANA's 108th Convention in Minneapolis this August 12-14.
Learn more: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/cana26/home/

03/26/2026

“'It has just grown in acceptance over the years,' said George R. Kelder, executive director of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, Inc. 'Once people started accepting and approving cremation as a form of disposition, the numbers started to grow.'
"In fact, the Garden State is actually a bit behind the times. Cremations exceeded burials nationally in 2016, according to Barbara Kemmis, the executive director of the Cremation Association of North America."

The factors reshaping how New Jerseyans say their final goodbyes.