2025 CANA Symposium: Seek Success at Every Step

WHEELING, IL— CANA returned to the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino to help business owners, managers, and employees achieve success at every step. From February 26-28, attendees explored strategic solutions in preneed, aftercare—and everything in between!

Attracting leaders from across funeral service, CANA events are known for providing opportunities for owners and managers from across the profession to gather fresh, practical ideas that make a difference in their businesses. The 2025 Symposium showcased sessions that inspired solutions and sparked conversations that carried over to networking, shared meals, and roundtables. Professionals from all business models, locales, experience levels, and call volumes were eager to tackle today’s challenges and share solutions, and industry suppliers are always part of the mix. Together, everyone exchanged innovative business ideas to find success.

Greg Grabowski, Partner at Hospice Advisors and an experienced leader with a proven record of results and revenue generation, kicked off the event with Bridging Hospice and Funeral Services: A Compassionate Continuum of Care. Each registrant received a free copy of his book Engaging the Heart of Hospice.

Following that, Danielle Burmeister, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Homesteaders Life Company, revealed key insights about why families who choose cremation decide to prearrange in her session Preneed Motivators: Cremation Edition. Next, a panel of experts from across the cremation preneed industry shared actionable insights for Cremation Preneed Success: Strategies, Insights, and Innovation in Sales and Marketing. Tyler Anderson, VP, Business Development at Precoa; William Bonacorda, President of Trust 100; Rob Goff, Regional Director, PreNeed Northwest, for United Heritage Life Insurance; and Joshua Rae, CEO of Golden Considerations helped attendees discover how to communicate the value of pre-planning.

Aftercare industry leaders continued the discussion on enhancing a relationship with families while driving business growth in an Aftercare Panel: Supporting Families and Growing Your Business with Greg Grabowski; Jon Lefrandt, Founder and CEO of Elevia; and Matthew Van Drimmelen, Founder of Full-Circle Aftercare. In Preneed Spotlight: Lessons and Ideas from Real-Life Success Stories, Lindsey Ballard, Owner of Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, led attendees in an interactive and engaging session to showcase participants’ most effective preneed strategies, campaigns, and events.

Welton Hong, CEO & Founder of Ring Ring Marketing, provided actionable insights to grow preneed business in his session, Leveraging Technology to Grow Your Preneed Program. Finally, Wendy Russell Wiener, Managing Member of WRW Legal, PLLC, and Bill Williams, former President/CEO of Funeral Services, Inc., wrapped the event with The Great Debate: Trust vs Insurance. They gave attendees the tools they needed to determine what’s right for their business.

Thank you to Event Emcee Rob Heins and the many attendees and sponsors who chose to join us in Las Vegas! CANA’s advisory group members carefully choose presenters who have insight into new ideas and practical strategies that attendees can put to use right away to meet today’s needs.

What’s next? Be sure to save the dates for CANA’s 107th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention at the Arizona Biltmore on August 6-8, 2025. Next year, CANA returns to the Paris Las Vegas/Horseshoe for the Cremation Symposium on February 25-27, 2026. Reserve time for these events in your busy calendar and contact CANA to learn more: cremationassociation.org

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.

2025 CANA Symposium: Seek Success at Every Step

WHEELING, IL— The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) returns to the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino to help businesses achieve success at every step. Join CANA this February 26-28, 2025, for the 2025 Cremation Symposium, where you’ll explore strategic solutions in preneed, aftercare and everything in between!

CANA events are known for providing opportunities for owners and managers from across the profession to gather fresh, practical ideas that make a difference in their businesses. The 2025 Symposium will showcase sessions that inspire solutions and spark conversations that carry over to networking, shared meals, and roundtables.

You’ll bask in the splendor of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. Recent renovations feature new restaurants, nightlife, and experiences along the iconic cobblestone pathways and ornate architecture, under ceilings painted to emulate the Parisian sky. Fortunately, your getaway remains cost-effective since registration prices for the 2025 Cremation Symposium will stay the same: just $625 for the first registration and $425 for each additional employee and just $295 for spouses/travel companions.

Registration includes:

• Networking at the Opening Reception on Wednesday where your first drink is on CANA!
• Breakfasts on Thursday and Friday worth the early hour
• All-day coffee and beverages to keep the energy flowing
• Delicious Thursday lunch
• Evenings on your own to yourself to enjoy Las Vegas
• Up to 7 Hours CE from the APFSP
• The intimate networking experience you love about CANA events

Time to network is what makes a CANA event unique. Our events attract leaders from across funeral service in all business models, locales, experience levels, and call volumes eager to tackle today’s challenges and share solutions. Plus, suppliers are untethered from booths so they can learn and connect with practitioners through sessions designed to support their business growth as well. Together, everyone can exchange innovative business ideas to find success.

Kicking off the event is Greg Grabowski, Partner at Hospice Advisors and an experienced leader with a proven record of results and revenue generation. In his session, Bridging Hospice and Funeral Services: A Compassionate Continuum of Care, Greg will explore how funeral professionals can become integral resources in supporting hospice care efforts and healthcare resources, fostering a seamless transition for families as they navigate end-of-life. Each registrant will receive a free copy of his book Engaging the Heart of Hospice to engage both hearts and skills in delivering value to the healthcare continuum.

Then, Danielle Burmeister, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Homesteaders Life Company, takes a look at demographics including age, marital status, religious affiliation and prior experience. She’ll reveal key insights about why families who choose cremation decide to prearrange in her session Preneed Motivators: Cremation Edition. Learn practical data-based suggestions for strengthening relationships with current client families, connecting with new families and leveraging tools to grow your business.

A panel of experts from across the cremation preneed industry share actionable insights for Cremation Preneed Success: Strategies, Insights, and Innovation in Sales and Marketing. Discover how to communicate the value of pre-planning with Tyler Anderson, VP, Business Development at Precoa; William Bonacorda, President of Trust 100; and, Rob Goff, Regional Director, PreNeed Northwest, for United Heritage Life Insurance.

Aftercare industry leaders continue the discussion on enhancing your relationship with families while driving business growth in an Aftercare Panel: Supporting Families and Growing Your Business. Gain actionable insights and practical strategies for creating an aftercare program with Greg Grabowski of Hospice Advisors; Jon Lefrandt, Founder and CEO of Elevia; and, Matthew Van Drimmelen, Founder of Full-Circle Aftercare.

Lindsey Ballard, Owner of Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, leads attendees in an interactive and engaging session to showcase participants’ most effective preneed strategies, campaigns, and events. In Preneed Spotlight: Lessons and Ideas from Real-Life Success Stories, attendees will share their innovative ideas and impactful techniques that have made a tangible difference in driving preneed accomplishments – and have a chance to win a fabulous prize!

Finally, Wendy Russell Wiener, Managing Member of WRW Legal, PLLC, and Bill Williams, President/CEO of Funeral Services, Inc., will wrap the event with The Great Debate: Trust vs Insurance. Together, they’ll give attendees the tools they need to determine, or confirm, what’s right for their business. What you’ll learn might surprise you!

Building your business success starts before first call. How can you improve your business’s success at every step of family service and support? The 2025 Cremation Symposium shows how.

Registration is open to join CANA for the 2025 Cremation Symposium February 26-28, 2025, at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. Register to attend at cremationassociation.org/success.

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.