April 4, 2025

Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging time, and navigating the funeral process can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s your first time making funeral arrangements or you’re unsure about certain aspects of the process, it’s natural to have many questions. Understanding the typical procedures and options available can help ease the burden during this difficult time. Here are some of the most frequently asked funeral questions and their answers to guide you through the process. 1. What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service? A funeral typically involves a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present, either before or during burial or cremation. It often includes a viewing or wake, where family and friends can pay their respects. A memorial service , on the other hand, takes place after the body has been buried or cremated and does not involve the presence of the body. Memorial services may be held in various settings, such as homes, churches, or other venues, and can be personalized to reflect the life of the deceased. 2. What is embalming, and is it required? Embalming is a process that involves preserving the body to delay decomposition, usually for viewing purposes. It is not legally required in most places but may be necessary if the body is to be displayed at a public service or transported over long distances. In cases where there will be no viewing, embalming is typically not needed. However, certain states or countries may have regulations about embalming or the timing of burial. It’s important to check with the funeral home to determine what’s required in your area. 3. How much does a funeral cost? The cost of a funeral can vary greatly depending on factors like location, the type of service, and the funeral home you choose. There are options to help manage funeral expenses, such as cremation (which can be less expensive than burial), choosing a less elaborate service, or purchasing a funeral plan in advance. 4. What is cremation, and how does it differ from burial? Cremation involves the process of reducing the body to ashes. Many people choose cremation for its simplicity, lower cost, and flexibility in how the ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred. Some people opt for a cremation memorial service, where the ashes are present but there is no body. Burial , on the other hand, involves placing the body in a casket and then burying it in a cemetery. This option may include the purchase of a grave plot, headstone, and other related services. The choice between cremation and burial depends on personal, cultural, and religious preferences. 5. What are the steps in planning a funeral? Planning a funeral typically involves the following steps: Notify family and friends : Reach out to close family and friends and inform them of the passing. Choose a funeral home : Select a funeral home to help with arrangements, including embalming (if applicable), obtaining necessary permits, and coordinating transportation. Select the type of service : Decide on whether you want a funeral, memorial, or graveside service. You’ll also need to choose the location and any religious or cultural elements to incorporate. Choose a casket or urn : Select a casket for burial or an urn for cremation. There are many styles and price ranges to choose from. Plan the ceremony : Work with the funeral director to plan the service, including music, readings, eulogies, and floral arrangements. Arrange for transportation : The funeral home will coordinate the transportation of the body to the service and burial or cremation site. 6. Should I pre-plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral is a personal choice. Many people choose to pre-plan to relieve their loved ones of the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief. Pre-planning allows you to specify your wishes for the service, casket, burial, and other aspects of the funeral, ensuring your desires are respected. Additionally, pre-paying for a funeral can help protect your family from rising costs in the future. However, it’s important to carefully consider pre-planning options, as funeral costs can vary, and you’ll want to ensure that the plan is flexible and fully understood by the family members who will carry out your wishes. 7. What are the options for scattering ashes? If you choose cremation, there are many options for what to do with the ashes: Scattering : Many people choose to scatter the ashes in a location that had significance to the deceased, such as a favorite park, beach, or nature spot. Keepsake urns : Some families choose to keep a portion of the ashes in a special urn or piece of jewelry. Interment : Ashes can be interred in a family plot or at a cemetery, either in a niche or within a memorial garden. Other creative options : There are many creative options for commemorating the deceased, including turning ashes into diamonds or using them to create a memorial reef. 8. What is a death certificate, and why is it important? A death certificate is an official document issued by a governmental authority that confirms the death of a person. It is essential for handling legal and financial matters, such as settling the deceased’s estate, claiming life insurance, and closing accounts. The funeral home typically assists in obtaining several copies of the death certificate. 9. Can I personalize a funeral service? Absolutely! Many families choose to personalize the funeral service to reflect the deceased’s personality, passions, or hobbies. You can incorporate meaningful music, photos, special readings, or even display personal items that were important to the deceased. The funeral director can help guide you through creative options for personalization. 10. What should I do if I can’t attend the funeral? If you’re unable to attend the funeral in person, consider sending flowers, a sympathy card, or making a charitable donation in the deceased’s honor. If the family holds a memorial service, they may also offer the option to participate virtually, such as through a livestream. It’s always thoughtful to express your condolences in any way possible. Funeral planning can be complex, but understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions can help make the process easier to navigate. Whether you are arranging a funeral for a loved one or pre-planning your own, it’s important to take the time to make informed decisions. By doing so, you can create a meaningful, respectful ceremony that honors the life and memory of the deceased, while providing comfort to those who are grieving.

Learning Paths for Funeral Professionals at Every Career Stage

The Professional Cremation Curriculum from CANA

WHEELING, IL— Whether you’re an experienced owner or manager looking to stay ahead with the latest industry trends, a new manager seeking essential leadership training, a career professional focused on practical knowledge, or a team member pursuing information on best practices and safety in operations, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has you covered. CANA is proud to introduce a range of tailored learning opportunities designed to meet your unique needs as a funeral professional at every stage of your career. Continuing our mission to be the trusted authority and educator on all aspects of cremation, CANA’s education programs offer the knowledge and skills to succeed in today’s evolving industry. 

By 2033, statistical analysis predicts cremation will be the preferred form of disposition in every state, with the cremation rate in some states and provinces having already surpassed 80%. Meeting families where they are, readying operations for the rising need, and building your business to adapt to this ever-evolving industry requires training with cremation at the core to support future growth. For more than 40 years, CANA has been the leader in cremation-first education, professional development, and training to support your business’s continued growth and evolution.

Experienced Owners and Managers: Further your leadership and strategic growth at CANA’s late-summer Annual Cremation Innovation Convention and mid-winter Cremation Symposium.  Explore industry trends and connect in person with colleagues from across the profession. The 107^th Annual Convention at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, August 6-8, 2025, unites some of the most forward-thinking leaders in a small, focused event. Share ideas, learn from experts, and see the newest products and services offered by industry suppliers.

New Managers: Whether you’re stepping into a fresh role or seeking success through advancement, you’ll benefit from the most recent addition to CANA’s course lineup. Gain essential skills in management of people and finances with the CANA Deathcare Business Administration Certification. Our 10-week virtual program, kicking off on April 1, allows you to work at your own pace and tailor your learning to your personal schedule, with bi-weekly live facilitation providing an opportunity to address how the lessons apply to your business and gain feedback from your peers.

Career Professionals: Find focused, practical learning at any stage with education that provides immediate practical application to the job at hand. From body preparation and FTC compliance to communication skills and understanding grief expressions, CANA’s Online Education offers targeted training in a bite-sized format with cremation at the core. Put it all together as a CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist and your expertise will demonstrate to families that you care. Join the 2025 cohort this year and complete the online program at your own pace, starting on April 1.

Operations Staff throughout the industry can continue to rely on CANA for essential skills in crematory operations. Offered online or in-person, the CANA Crematory Operations Certification Program (COCP) serves as the foundation for cremation in your business.  The COCP continues to evolve, reflecting the needs of the modern business by featuring both flame cremation and alkaline hydrolysis, or targeting the unique needs of the pet crematory, or providing a refresher on state-specific requirements, or delivering valuable content in English, Spanish, and French. Additionally, CANA’s recent addition of the Natural Organic Reduction Operations Certification (NOROC) provides a valuable introduction to this newest disposition method and what it could mean for your business operations.

With CANA Education, you gain knowledge to reach today’s consumer so you’re ready to meet tomorrow’s demand. Our courses are developed in collaboration with business leaders, educators, manufacturers, practitioners, and legal authorities to ensure they meet the need of the modern professional. Each program is approved for continuing education credits for licensees, meets states’ certification requirement (as applicable), and can get you closer to earning your Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

When you register for a CANA certification program, convention, or online class—or join as a member—you become a participant in a community of cremation experts from all career stages and business types united by cremation at its core. CANA is a recognized and valued brand for all things cremation, so funeral professionals are sure to benefit from the association’s decades of cremation expertise. 

Learn more about how CANA Education offers something for every career stage. Visit the CANA website: cremationassociation.org/education. 

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.

It’s only Monday, but you don’t know when you will be caught in your car, or the removal vehicle, for a thirty to forty-five minute drive.  Just so you have something worth while and timely so the boss can’t say you are “off the clock” here’s some ideas of podcasts that you might find interesting.

From the National Funeral Directors Association and their Brush with Death podcast series:

The Wired Mortician

Here’s how NFDA hypes this podcast – “Host, Gabe Schauf is joined by Victor Sweeney, “The Wired Mortician”. Victor is a funeral director with DuBore Funeral Home in Warren, Minnesota who came into the national spotlight by just “doing the right thing”. He has since been featured multiple times by Wired Magazine in videos created to shed some light on funeral profession. In this episode, Victor shares his story and some thoughts on being a funeral influencer and educating the public.”

From our friends Danny Jefferson and Alan Creedy with “2 Guys and a Question” podcast:

Veteran insights into Facebook with Post and Boost’s Bill Johnson

Here’s the podcast hype from Danny and Alan – “When I started Trust 100 it was a Television COOP. That coop produced an average 30% increase in calls. We actually had one member quit because he was growing too fast. Today Social Media has replaced conventional media in power and impact.  . . . Learn the 4 ways to grow your business.”

And here is something brand new from our friends at Homesteaders Life.  According to a recent press release “Homesteaders Life Company has launched “Calling Hours”, a podcast for funeral professionals hosted by Homesteaders’ VP-Marketing Communications, Danielle Burmeister. Calling Hours will feature candid conversations with leading voices in the end-of-life space.”

Calling Hours by Homesteaders Life – Episode #1

Homesteader’ hype about this podcast is this, “Homesteaders’ President, CEO and Board Chair Steve Shaffer joins Burmeister in the first episode. “I am honored to be the first guest on Calling Hours and am pleased that Homesteaders is providing the opportunity for funeral professionals to learn more about the latest topics and trends. As technology advances and our industry adapts, this new podcast is another example of how we are continually evolving to deliver useful information and resources to our funeral home partners in a convenient and accessible platform, said Shaffer.”

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