Weighing When to Go “Above and Beyond” with Tony Russo 

Virtual Funeral Professionals Peer Support Meeting in July 

WHEELING, IL— As funeral professionals, we pride ourselves on going the extra mile for the families we serve – but where are the boundaries if we always go the extra mile? Tony Russo facilitates the July Funeral Professionals Peer Support meeting to discuss the extra mile that takes us too far, and the moral quandary and compassion fatigue that might ensue. Join the conversation on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT, hosted for the profession by the Cremation Association of North America. 

Is “above and beyond” still meaningful if it becomes our everyday standard? How do we navigate the tension between professional boundaries, personal values, and that gut feeling of what is “right” in the moment? As an editor with Kates-Boylston, Russo encounters hundreds of stories from funeral professionals, consumers, and the media that lead us to ask “Is it fair to sometimes go above and beyond?” 

This peer support meeting provides a space to share experiences, explore internal conflicts, and gain insight from your peers on how they handle these deeply human dilemmas. Together, we’ll unpack questions like: When is it fair – or even ethical – to exceed expectations for one family but not another? What drives that gut feeling that tells us to do more, and how do we make peace with our decisions? 

“When I started covering funeral service four years ago, I had no idea how often I’d be writing life-affirming stories, or how subtle they would be,” Russo said. “Cast your mind back to your decision to become a funeral professional – try and grab some of that anticipation and excitement – and use it to fill your tank. Remind yourself why you enjoy what you do, because there are lots of good reasons to.” 

Join the conversation to discuss when you’ve gone above and beyond for your client families and when it took you past your comfort zone and share creative ideas for finding safe ground. Join the July conversation with Tony Russo and fellow funeral professionals on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT via Zoom link at cremationassociation.org/peersupport. No registration is required, simply follow the link to join. 

About Funeral Professionals Peer Support 

Funeral Professionals Peer Support Group is committed to providing support, healing, education and knowledge to funeral professionals. They promote wholeness and wellness by uniting funeral sector professionals through a Canada-wide network of regional organizations offering support, information and resources within their community.  

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.