Cremation Association of North America Grows Staff to Support Strategic Plan

Promotion and New Hire Reflect Expansion of CANA’s Content and Membership Initiatives

WHEELING, IL— It’s a time of growth and innovation for the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). Widening its focus to help member businesses recruit and retain a vibrant, diverse, and well-trained workforce and educate and best serve their families, CANA continues to promote best practices in cremation through education, innovation, and collaboration.

A growing membership and an emphasis on aligning content strategy with CANA’s mission and values has resulted in new and reorganized staff responsibilities. CANA Board President Lindsey Ballard praises these appointments and invites you to offer “Congratulations to Brie Bingham and Sara Corkery in their new roles and welcome Kenjuana Hall to CANA! Brie and Sara have brought decades of experience to CANA, increasing our reputation and shaping CANA’s voice. Kenjuana will bring fresh eyes to membership initiatives in the newly created role of Membership and Operations Manager. “

BRIE BINGHAM PROMOTED TO SENIOR CONTENT MANAGER

After more than a decade of service at the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), Brie Bingham (pictured above, right) has been promoted to the newly established role of Senior Content Manager. This strategic position reflects CANA’s commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging, and educational and research content to its members and the broader death care community.

Brie has held progressive roles in membership and marketing with CANA for over a decade, bringing a dynamic blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and deep industry knowledge to her work. In her new role, Brie will lead the development and implementation of CANA’s communications, research, and educational content strategies. She will oversee the production of the association’s publications and guide the association’s online presence. Brie will also support CANA’s research projects education programs and strategic goals through content development, project management, and digital platform oversight.

Barbara Kemmis, Executive Director of CANA, shares her enthusiasm for the promotion: “Brie’s promotion to Senior Content Manager is well deserved. Her ability to craft compelling content and build meaningful connections with our members has already transformed how we engage with our community. Brie has grown both revenue and CANA’s reputation through marketing efforts, so this promotion is recognition of those skills and the importance of content to CANA’s strategic growth. CANA is a thought leader in the profession and Brie’s new role will increase the focus on content creation through research, publications and education. I am thrilled to see her take on these expanded responsibilities and continue shaping the future of our association.”

Brie will continue to collaborate closely with Sara Corkery (pictured above, left), who remains a vital part of CANA’s communications team. With more than thirteen years of experience leading CANA’s magazine and collateral, Sara continues in her role as Managing Editor of The Cremationist and as Editor and Graphic Designer for CANA’s print and digital materials.

KENJUANA HALL, HIRED AS MEMBERSHIP AND OPERATIONS MANAGER

The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kenjuana Hall (pictured above, middle) as its new Membership and Operations Manager, a key leadership role focused on enhancing member engagement, operational excellence, and strategic support across the organization.

Kenjuana brings over a decade of experience in membership management, data governance, and nonprofit operations. Most recently, she served as Database & Membership Manager at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, where her work guided leadership decisions, streamlined workflows, and ensured data integrity and member satisfaction for more than 3,000 members.

In her new role at CANA, Kenjuana will lead membership retention and recruitment strategies, manage member benefit programs, support volunteer and governance structures, and oversee the association management system which supports CANA’s newest member benefit, CANA Connect, a discussion forum for CANA members to share information and access member benefits. She will also play a pivotal role in operational coordination and cross-functional initiatives aligned with CANA’s strategic plan.

Barbara Kemmis is eager to work with CANA’s newest employee: “Kenjuana Hall brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to member service. Her experience in data-driven decision-making and operational leadership will be invaluable as CANA continues to grow and evolve. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team and look forward to the impact she will make.”

CANA celebrates our existing and new staff members dedicated to advancing the association’s mission and enhancing the experience of its members.

About CANA

Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) 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.

The West Virginia Funeral Directors and Crematory Operators Association Names ASD as Preferred Provider of Answering Services 

Charleston, WV— The West Virginia Funeral Directors and Crematory Operators Association (WVFDCOA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with ASD – Answering Service for Directors. ASD will join the WVFDCOA’s Preferred Provider Program. This program was designed by WVFDCOA to help members operate more efficiently and increase profits while working with best-in-class organizations. 

ASD is the only answering service devoted solely to the needs of funeral directors. The company serves more than 8,000 funeral homes and is the preferred choice among Independent Funeral Homes and Funeral Home Directors. ASD maintains the highest degree of professionalism with extensive training, cutting-edge technology and an unmatched level of transparency. 

The WVFDCOA delivers innovative and pertinent resources, solutions and support to funeral homes located in West Virginia. The association’s mission is to support members in being professionally, ethically, and operationally superior, and to advocate for the funeral service profession before state and federal lawmakers. Additionally, the WVFDCOA also works to educate the public and provide continuing education opportunities to its members.

The WVFDCOA’s Preferred Provider Program invites members to take advantage of exclusive savings from top tier funeral home companies. The WVFDCOA invested a great deal of time and research evaluating ASD’s services, technology and history before partnering with the company. As part of the new partnership, ASD will offer WVFDCOA members an extended, eight-week Free Trial of ASD’s services with all set-up fees waived. 

“ASD is honored to participate in the WVFDCOA’s Preferred Partner Program. We were highly impressed by the level of research the association devoted to this decision,” says ASD Vice President and Family-Member Owner, Kevin Czachor. “Both ASD and the WVFDCOA are committed to providing funeral professionals with the tools they need to manage and grow their businesses.”

ASD is looking forward to meeting with WVFDCOA members at the annual convention later this month in Canaan Valley. The company is enthusiastic about helping the WVFDCOA achieve its objections while offering West Virginia funeral directors exclusive benefits. For more information about ASD’s Partnership with the WVFDCOA, please visit www.myasd.com/wvfdcoa/. 

About the West Virginia Funeral Directors and Crematory Operators Association 

The West Virginia Funeral Directors and Crematory Operators Association is a not-for-profit organization committed to advocating on behalf of its members. Founded in 1895, the association provides funeral and crematory professionals with continuing education, representation in the legislature and executive offices of the State Government, annual conventions and educational meetings, networking, and vendor discounts. 

About ASD

ASD – Answering Service for Directors has created a new class of answering service for the funeral profession. Family owned and operated since 1972, ASD blends state-of-the-art technology with an extensive, 6-month training program focusing on compassionate care. The company’s custom-built communication systems and sophisticated mobile tools were designed solely to meet the needs of funeral professionals. By offering funeral directors unmatched protection for their calls, ASD has redefined the role of an answering service for funeral homes.  For more information, visit www.myASD.com or call 1-800-868-9950.

North Carolina Funeral Directors Association Endorses Homesteaders as Exclusive Preneed Provider

West Des Moines, Iowa — Homesteaders Life Company, a national leader in preneed funeral funding, has been selected as the exclusively endorsed preneed provider by the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association (NCFDA).

“We are honored to be selected as the endorsed preneed provider for funeral professionals in North Carolina,” said Homesteaders President, CEO and Board Chair Steve Shaffer. “This partnership reflects our shared vision of advancing the funeral profession and further underscores Homesteaders’ leadership as a strong, stable and secure funding partner for funeral providers and the families they serve. We look forward to working alongside NCFDA and its members to make a positive impact in communities across North Carolina.”

Through this endorsement of Homesteaders, NCFDA members gain a dedicated partner passionate about helping them deliver peace of mind and lasting value to the families they serve. This collaboration emphasizes the association’s commitment to providing top-quality resources and support for North Carolina funeral professionals.

Rhett Miller, funeral director, manager and preneed consultant with Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service in Taylorsville, N.C., has been a long-standing customer of Homesteaders. “What sets Homesteaders apart is that they truly care about us, as customers, and the families in our communities.” Miller is the current Vice President of the NCFDA and is set to be named President at the 2025 convention. “We are proud to partner with Homesteaders, and I am confident this collaboration will bring immense value to our members and the families they serve.”

Homesteaders Director-Business Development Brandon Full has worked with Miller and other funeral professionals in North Carolina for many years. “I’ve seen the NCFDA Board embrace a growth mindset and work hard to provide value-added programs, services and support to members across North Carolina. We are honored to work with the association, strengthening support for funeral homes and professionals throughout the state.”

Both Homesteaders and the association have a similar history of dedication to the funeral profession, each with more than a century of service. This endorsement highlights their shared commitment to the success of the funeral profession and the families served.

Homesteaders Life Company is a national leader providing products and services to help people design a better farewell. Visit homesteaderslife.com to learn more.

The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) recognizes that September is designated as “Recovery Month” to raise awareness about treatment for substance use disorders, reduce stigma of those suffering, and celebrate their recovery.  Because of that recognition, tomorrow night’s Funeral Professionals Peer Support Group will be committed to that subject.

Here’s what a recent press release from CANA says about tomorrow nights online meeting:

“Surveys show that over 65 million US adults consider themselves in recovery from substance use and/or mental health issues. Christopher Matthews, CLC, APR, CFSP, will facilitate the September Funeral Professionals Peer Support meeting to discuss the effect of substance abuse on funeral professionals today with a focus on growth, resilience and skills to support those struggling with these common, but often unspoken, concerns.

With more than 130,000 deathcare professionals working in the United States today (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024) – many of them exposed to trauma daily – the need for support and interdependence in recovery is great. Matthews hopes to provide a fresh, personal perspective and tools to help spot and support funeral professionals in need to the road to recovery.”

Tomorrow night’s meeting — Tuesday, September 17 — is open to all.  It will be held at 8 pm Eastern Time, 7 pm Central, and 5 pm Pacific Time.

To learn more about the meeting and how to connect online you can access information from CANA here.

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association Names 2023 “Keeping it Personal” (KIP) Award Winners

STERLING, VA (March 14, 2024) – The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) has named its 2023 Keeping It Personal (KIP) Award winners, recognizing the best in personalization in the cemetery and memorialization profession. 

Created by the ICCFA Personalization Committee in 2001, the KIP Award program honors recipients in four categories: Most Personalized Service/Memorial for Funeral Home, Most Personalized Service/Memorial for Cemetery, Most Personalized Pet Service, and Innovative Personalized Product. 

This year’s contest attracted entries from ICCFA members in Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, The Philippines, and the United States. Professionals from outside the deathcare profession judged the entries. The 2023 KIP winners and honorable mentions will be recognized during the President’s Banquet on Thursday, April 11 beginning at 6:00 PM at the 2024 ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition in Tampa, Florida, April 10-13, 2024. Descriptions of each winning entry and honorable mention are available at iccfa.com/awards. 

The winners are as follows:

Most Personalized Service or Memorial (Cemetery)

First Place and Overall Grand Prize Winner

Cave Hill Cemetery and Hosparus Join Forces to Serve Children
Cave Hill Cemetery & Arboretum – Louisville, Kentucky

Honorable Mention

Momentos Que Nos Unen
Señoriales Corporación de Servicios – Guatemala

Most Personalized Service or Memorial (Funeral Home)

First Place

Rite of Passage: Jefferson Memorial Cemetery with Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Students for Burial Event
Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Funeral Home, Crematory & Arboretum – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Honorable Mention

Eldon’s Last Ride
Pray Funeral Home – Charlotte, Michigan

Most Personalized Pet Service

First Place 

The Eterneva Diamond That Saves Hundreds of Dogs Per Year
Eterneva – Austin, Texas

Honorable Mention 

An Altar Woven with the Traces of Eternal Love
Señoriales Corporación de Servicios – Guatemala

Innovative/Personalized Product (Suppliers)

First Place

Life’s QR
Life’s QR – Niagara Falls, Canada

Honorable Mention 

Etern.life Memorial Map
Passages International, Inc. – Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral, and memorialization profession. The association comprises over 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home, and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide.