Batesville Announces First Integration with Georgia Electronic Death Registration  System to Streamline Death Record Reporting 

BATESVILLE, Ind., July 28, 2025 – Batesville, a trusted leader in the North American deathcare industry, has announced the first inter-operational integration between its Halcyon deathcare management software solution and the state of Georgia’s Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS). The integration eliminates the need for duplicate manual entry data, improving the speed to process. This helps funeral homes maintain more accurate death records and supports continued electronic death submissions in other states. 

“At Batesville, we believe technology is a powerful tool to deliver value to our funeral home customers and help families navigate the end-of-life journey,” said Sara Gard, General Manager, Halcyon by Batesville. “This breakthrough integration with Georgia improves business efficiencies and processes as Georgia funeral home directors can now enter a decedent’s death certificate and information once, and it will seamlessly integrate from Halcyon directly to Georgia Vital Events Registration System (GAVERS). This saves the funeral home customer an average of 15-30 minutes per case.” 

“The new integration saves my team significant time, increases death record accuracy, simplifies the process, and builds trust during a time of uncertainty,” Everett J. Huffman, Funeral Director & General Manager, Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory. “Families now have the peace of mind their loved one’s death records are being submitted without error, and we can focus on supporting them through the funeral process instead of spending time on paperwork.” 

Batesville is a proud participant in a subgroup of the Center for Disease Control’s National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) Modernization Community of Practice. The purpose of this subgroup is to research and review how to modernize electronic death record submission, including improvements to funeral home death record data collection and management. Together, the team developed, tested, and implemented a system where funeral home management systems  could exchange data electronically with a state’s death registry systems to improve the timeliness and quality of death data, create efficiencies for the funeral directors, and accelerate vital records technology adoption. This integration embraces new technology and approaches to death care management. Over the next few weeks Batesville will continue our phased roll out to all Halcyon users in Georgia. 

Batesville has deep customer relationships and a diverse portfolio of solutions across Burial, Cremation, and Technology to meet the evolving needs of deathcare professionals and the families they serve. Our goal is to equip funeral professionals with the tools and resources to support their business and help position them for long-term success. 

For more information, or if you are interested in implementing this in your business, please contact the Halcyon solutions team at 770.877.1158 or visit www.halcyondcms.com. 

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ABOUT BATESVILLE SERVICES, LLC 

Batesville (www.Batesville.com) is a recognized leader in the deathcare industry in North  America, offering a comprehensive portfolio of burial and cremation products, innovative technology solutions, and an unparalleled array of personalization and memorialization offerings.  For more than a century, Batesville has supported deathcare professionals in helping families honor the lives of those they love^® and has recently been named one of Newsweek’s Most  Trustworthy Companies in America for the second consecutive year. A history of manufacturing excellence, product innovation, superior customer service, and reliable delivery  helped Batesville become – and remain – a market leader.  

CANA Convention Registration IS open 

Experience true luxury at CANA’s 107^th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention this August 

WHEELING, IL— The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) heads to Phoenix, Arizona for the 107^th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention. Featuring a perfect blend of city excitement and desert serenity, the CANA Convention will provide mid-year rejuvenation and the opportunity to mingle with the most forward-thinking owners and managers in the profession. Registration is open, so act now to claim your booth, sponsorship, or seat at the table and connect with cremation experts from across the profession. 

CANA’s Annual Convention is the premier event for innovative cremation professionals. Find the motivation to set creative strategies into motion, discover solutions that spark inspiration, and soak up new insights to fuel your business’s growth for years to come. This August 6-8, 2025, you are invited to connect with cremation leaders from across the profession, discover new products and services from more than 60 exhibitors, find inspiration while earning CE, and explore the Valley of the Sun! Special discounts are available for full convention registration: pairs save $200 on their registration and teams of three save $400!  

As a hardworking deathcare professional, you deserve the best during your time away from the job! The Convention hotel is the Arizona Biltmore, an opulent resort where historical meets contemporary, leisure meets adventure, and elegance meets play. The Biltmore offers seven relaxing pools, five appealing shops featuring hand-curated pieces, three unique dining experiences, two picturesque golf courses, and one award-winning spa and salon – plus two iconic bars where you can revel in a tequila sunrise. This year, the CANA Convention schedule is revamped to make the most of this unique resort experience, making time for the cool desert nights and mornings so you’ll enjoy all that Phoenix has to offer. You’re invited to explore, to discover, and to feel inspired by the colors, culture and the captivating energy of the Valley of the Sun. Make your reservation now at canarooms.com. 

Phoenix is the perfect desert oasis for catching rays and chasing dreams. That’s why the Funeral Service Foundation is offering five scholarships to encompass all the benefits of attendance at the 107^th Cremation Innovation Convention. With an award valued at up to $2,200, each scholarship winner will receive full event registration, plus three nights at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore and up to $500 in travel reimbursement. Scholarships are open to anyone in funeral, cremation, and cemetery service who wants to invest in their future success as a cremation professional, including current students. The deadline to apply is May 29, 2025; scholarship winners will be notified mid-June to make their plans to join CANA in Phoenix this August. For more information and to apply, candidates should visit cremationassociation.org/CANAROI.  

It’s CANA’s 107^th Annual Convention and it may be 107℉, but we think you’ll agree: being this hot has never been so cool! Register now for CANA’s Annual Convention: August 6-8, 2025 – and remember that special rates are available for teams to learn, grow, and implement strategies together. Visit cremationassociation.org/CANA25 to learn more. 

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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. 

Practical, Results-Driven Cremation Specialist Training Registration Deadline July 31, 2025  

WHEELING, IL— Registration is now open for the Cremation Specialist training program offered exclusively by the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). This unique certification course takes a cremation-first approach to study what arrangers do every day, touching on each task, breaking down the steps to complete it, and summarizing the knowledge and skills leading to success. 

The CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist (CCS) training empowers arrangers to connect with the families they’re serving, leading to meaningful conversations. This well-rounded program presents an overview of FTC compliance, methods for engaging phone shoppers, and discussion of embalming preferences, and then digs into topics such as grief expressions, communication skills, and ethical dilemmas to help forge that connection with families. When they know they’re serving families well, employees feel more motivated, contract revenue grows, and they know they’ve made a real difference for those families. 

The remarkably flexible and affordable program, conducted entirely online, is comprised of eight courses: seven on-demand and one that is live and instructor-led. Participants work at their own speed, receiving their certification in as little as three months. They can choose to graduate on July 15 or October 15.  

Each class in the program is easy to navigate and offers engaging and thought-provoking content, with fill-in-the-box reflections and active guidance from CANA staff. Participants can pause and resume the training to accommodate their busy schedules. 

Participants gain practical skills they can apply immediately to grow business and advance their careers. A favorite course among past participants is on talking to phone shoppers and finding connection: 

“We had folks that were handling mainly phone calls that were able to convert phone shoppers to customers because they were able to make that connection right away with the caller over the phone,” explains Martha Thayer of Mortuary Training, who contributed to the program. “That’s part of what training is training is: Giving people those words to use. Everyone’s going to come up with their own way to make a presentation or their own way to say something, but if we can have that starting point help for someone we can change narrative to bring people in.” 

To date, this new credential has 112 graduates, representing practitioners from all stages of their careers, who have gained confidence to go further with the families they serve.  

“Because the CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist program took such a deep look at all aspects of serving our cremation families, it allowed me to grow a deeper appreciation for the evolution of the profession as a whole,” reflected Allyse Worland, Vice President and Funeral Director of Lauck & Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services and a CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist. “It was evident that doing things the way ‘we have always done it’ is not going to work in the future. Our cremation families are just as precious as our traditional families. Each and every moment we spend with them is an opportunity to memorialize and celebrate a life beautifully lived.” 

Registration is accepted on a rolling basis for the 2025 program from April 1 through July 31. Space is limited so funeral professionals should act soon to join. Registration is $615, discounted to $465 for CANA Members. Learn more about becoming a CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist at cremationassociation.org/CCS 

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. 

Connect, Learn, Empower: NFDA Opens Registration for 2025 Professional Women’s Conference

Brookfield, Wis. – Registration is now open for the 2025 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Professional Women’s Conference, a premier event designed to empower female funeral service professionals. The conference will take place May 15-18, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. This intimate event, limited to 165 attendees, offers transformative educational sessions, invaluable networking opportunities and strategies tailored to the unique challenges women face in the funeral profession. The Funeral Service Foundation will offer 20 all-inclusive David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships to make this event even more accessible.

Designed by and for women, the conference aims to celebrate their vital contributions to funeral service while equipping them with tools for personal and professional growth. During this inspiring and uplifting conference, attendees will hear from exceptional speakers covering a wide range of topics:

• Turning Setbacks into Comebacks: MINDSET OF CHAMPIONS presented by Dawn D. Tryba, MBA, CPMBC, CMC, PMP, coach and management consultant
• Balancing Grief, Family Dynamics and Financial Conversations in Funeral Service presented by NFDA Trainer and licensed funeral director Lanae Strovers
• The Art of Self-Reflection: Harnessing the Power of YOU presented by Tina Paulus-Krause coach, visionary leader and catalyst
• Integrating AI in Human Resource Systems: Legal Considerations and Ongoing Training Strategies presented by Vice President, SESCO Management Consultants Jamie Hasty
• Creative Applications: A New Approach for Mastering the Prep-Room and Beyond presented by Autumn Cooper, a sales representative with The Dodge Company
• From Awareness to Action: Advocacy for Impact presented by NFDA Senior Vice President, Advocacy Lesley Witter, MPA, CAE
• And more! 

Engaging Discussions and Networking

Professional Women’s Conference attendees will kick off their time together with a Welcome Party that captures the spirit of the southwestern United States. While enjoying complimentary food and drink, guests will experience a fun-filled evening of lively conversation and building bonds with colleagues. The Welcome Party is generously sponsored by NGL. 

Professional Women’s Conference participants will also have the option of participating in a tour of Passages International headquarters and dinner. This unique “behind the scenes” tour will explore how Passages’ sustainable and eco-friendly funeral solutions products are made and the value they bring to grieving families, funeral homes and the planet. Tour participants will also have a chance to meet with members of Passages’ team while enjoying complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Following the tour, participants will enjoy dinner and continued networking at a well-known local New Mexican restaurant. 

There are countless other opportunities to build relationships with fellow funeral service professionals during the Professional Women’s Conference. “This was an incredible experience,” said one 2024 Professional Women’s Conference participant. “I am so grateful that NFDA creates this space for women to connect and support one another. The atmosphere is unmatched to any other event I’ve ever been to.” 

Another 2024 attendee noted, “Every woman in the funeral profession should seek the opportunity to attend a Professional Women’s Conference at least once.” 

Scholarship Opportunities

Thanks to the generosity of the Baue Family, the Funeral Service Foundation is offering up to 20 David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships to funeral professionals and students to attend this year’s event. The scholarships cover registration and event fees, three-nights lodging, and up to $500 in travel reimbursement. 

Applicants must be verifiably employed in funeral service or related occupations or be a student in good standing and currently attending classes at an ABSFE- or Canadian-accredited institution or program; NFDA membership is not required. Complete requirements and the application form are available at online FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarship-Opportunities. Applications will be accepted from December 2, 2024, through January 15, 2025. 

“I will forever be grateful to the Funeral Service Foundation for the scholarship award and the opportunity to attend this amazing event, which will change the trajectory of my career,” said one 2024 scholarship recipient. “I truly left [the conference] feeling empowered and with a whole new network of colleagues.” 

Inspiration Award

During the 2025 Professional Women’s Conference, the association will confer the third annual NFDA Inspiration Award. This award will recognize an exceptional individual who has made noteworthy professional contributions to funeral service or a related field. 

Nominations for the NFDA Inspiration Award will be accepted online from January 15 through February 16, 2025. The ideal nominee is an enterprising individual who consistently takes the initiative to elevate the funeral service profession. The nominee serves as a mentor to colleagues and their energy and independent spirit serve as an example to others. Their efforts have resulted in significant accomplishments at the local, national and/or international level. 

Complete details are available at NFDA.org/InspirationAward. NFDA is grateful to NGL for sponsoring the Inspiration Award. 

Conference Registration Is Now Open

Registration for the 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference is now open. Participants can save when they register by the early-bird deadline of February 14, 2025. Attendees must register for the 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference by May 5, 2025. Registration is limited to just 165 participants. 

NFDA has negotiated a generous discounted rate of $249 plus taxes and fees per night, and waived the resort fee, at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa. This luxury resort located just 30 minutes from the Albuquerque International Airport in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Whether conference participants want to enjoy a scenic horseback ride, a round of golf at the on-site course, lounging by the pool or receiving a service at the Tamaya Mist Spa & Salon, this resort has it all. When dinnertime rolls around, guests have several onsite restaurants to choose from. 

In order to receive the exclusive NFDA rate at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, you need to register for the Professional Women’s Conference. Your registration confirmation email will contain a special link that can be used to book a hotel room. 

Participants can find complete details about the 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference and register online at NFDA.org/PWC, or by calling 800-228-6332 (262-789-1880). 

About NFDA 

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving more than 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nfda.org. 

CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist Training Program Registration Deadline July 31, 2024

WHEELING, IL— Registration is now open for the Cremation Specialist training program offered exclusively by the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). This unique program is designed to help funeral professionals discover opportunities to create memorialization and ceremony and master the necessary skills and knowledge to take their service to the next level.

The CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist (CCS) training covers a range of topics that impact today’s business and grieving families. In addition to FTC compliance, engaging phone shoppers, and discussion of embalming preferences, other topics such as grief expressions, communication skills, and ethical dilemmas are all included in the curriculum. Participants can earn up to 11 hours of continuing education (CE) credits across a variety of required categories.

The remarkably flexible program, conducted entirely online, is comprised of eight courses: seven on-demand and one that is live and instructor-led. Participants can work at their own speed, receiving their certification in as little as three months and can choose to graduate on July 15 or October 15.

Each class in the program is easy to navigate and offers engaging and thought-provoking content, with fill-in-the-box reflections and active guidance from CANA staff. Participants can pause and resume the training to accommodate their busy schedules.

CANA encourages funeral professionals who are looking to advance their careers to enroll in the program and enhance their skills.

“You can become the most amazing rock star arranger ever, but it just takes a little bit of training and a little bit of knowledge of how to be still and how not to slap down the first contract and say, ‘Here you go,’” explains Glenda Stansbury of InSight Books, who contributed to the program. “That’s probably the true benefit of all of this work: to have a full-fledged curriculum that is cremation-based to help that cremation professional.”

To date, this new credential has 87 graduates, representing practitioners from all stages of their careers, who have gained confidence to go further with the families they serve. “This program was a highly valuable and meaningful way to level-up my personalized service to families. I highly recommend CCS certification to other funeral professionals,” shared Tee Rogers, a CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist. “It was insightful, inspiring, and informative. The content and leaders were highly respectful of diverse identities and perspectives, a normalization of inclusion that was encouraging to experience as I continue efforts to increase awareness of challenges faced in the funeral industry by our LGBTQIA+, minority religious, and secular clients and employees.”

Registration is accepted on a rolling basis for the 2024 program from April 1 through July 31. Space is limited so funeral professionals should act soon to join. Registration is $615, discounted to $465 for CANA Members. Learn more about becoming a CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist at cremationassociation.org/CCS

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.