Page A36 October 2022 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A NEWS Association CONTINUED CANA Welcomes New Directors, New President How much would you spend on your legal forms? What does a new vehicle cost? Is credit card processing expensive? If you don’t know the answer to these questions, let NFDA give you the answers! Calculate your savings through NFDA using our new online tool. Understanding the monetary value is important but remember that your membership gives you so much more! Calculate your savings with the link: nfda.org/valuemeter Know the Value of NFDA! 2022_Membership_NOMIS_1/4Ad.indd 1 9/7/22 8:59 AM WHEELING,IL— The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) welcomed new board members and recognized the service of others at the annual meeting of the membership in August 2022. CANA’s membership re-elected one incumbent board member and two new directors as well as passing the gavel to new CANA president Caressa Hughes. Caressa Hughes Elected President Caressa Hughes is assistant vice president of government and industry relations for Service Corporation International. In her role, she is well informed of emerging trends and regulations for our profession in every state and province. CANA’s board of directors had originally asked her to serve her presidential term starting August 2023, but when president-elect Shannon Asmus asked to delay his service due to his own professional transition, Hughes confidently stepped forward. She will be the sixth woman to lead CANA’s board, will continue as chair of the government and legal affairs Advisory group, and is honored to serve the role of president for the 2022-2023 year. Elected to the CANA Board CANA’s membership elected two new members to the board of directors to represent their interests and lead the association into the future. Tim Koch, owner of Metro First Call in Savage, MN has worked in the industry for 40 years, including 20 years on the funeral board in his state. “As a member of CANA, I believe that everyone should give back to their association,” he remarked. “I am interested in helping promote CANA’s goals as well as taking on the challenges that face the cremation industry.” Jason Widing, vice president of business development for Foundation Partners Group, has been in the funeral profession for 18 years. Widing looks forward to being intentional in CANA’s outreach to fellow associations and schools, to ensure CANA is “leading the cremation narrative to expand cremation understanding for the next-generation funeral professional.” Denis Desrochers of Grégoire Desrochers in Victoriaville, Quebec was re-elected to serve a second term on the board and chosen to serve as third vice president of the association. Ryan Wiseman of Porter Funeral Homes in Kansas City, KS and Lindsey Ballard of Ballard Sunder Funeral Home in Jordan, MN were nominated by the board of directors to serve on the executive committee as first and second vice president respectively. CANA’s board of directors is complete with: Caressa Hughes of Service Corporation International, President; Robert Hunsaker of Hunsaker Partners, CANA President-elect; Ryan Wiseman of Porter Funeral Homes in Kansas City, KS, First Vice President; Lindsey Ballard of Ballard Sunder Funeral Home in Jordan, MN, Second Vice President; Denis Desrochers of Grégoire Desrochers in Victoriaville, Quebec, Third Vice President; Michelle Canerot of Trust Advisors, Inc., CANATreasurer; Archer Harmon of Wiefels Cremation & Funeral Service, CANA Immediate Past President; Kim Price of Memory Glass, CANA Supplier Liaison; Dirk Bearden of Service Corporation International; William “Bill” Clark of Kootenay Enterprises Inc; Joseph “J.P.” Di Troia of Fresh Pond Crematory and U.S. Columbarium Co; John Goobeck of Park Lawn Corporation; SandraWalker of Pacific Northwest Cremation; and Lara M. Price of Sheehy, Ware, Pappas & Grubbs, P.C., CANA General Counsel. Retiring Board The membership recognized past president W. Scott Smith of All Texas Cremation for his service during a tumultuous time in the history of our profession and our world. As chairperson for the Texas Funeral Directors Association Texas Disaster Response Team, Smith and his team supported funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries in regions who were all overwhelmed and past capacity while leading CANA’s board of directors. They are grateful for his service to their profession. The annual In Memoriam service honored the deaths of several members of the funeral profession, including CANA’s second vice president Donald R. Fritz, who died unexpectedly in June 2022. Fritz was director of operations of the Cremation Society of Illinois and contributed his expertise to CANA’s board of directors and as chair of the education advisory group. He is missed by his colleagues and friends throughout the profession, but particularly by his fellows at CANA. CANA thanks its volunteer board of directors and all those who serve on its Advisory Groups for their commitment to the profession and the association. These leaders lend their guidance and expertise to keep the association a trusted authority for members and the profession. Find more information and learn how to get involved on CANA’s website: goCANA.org/BoardofDirectors Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,500 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization. CANA’s 104th Convention Continued from Page A34 Continued on page A37 Brian Waters, host of Undertaking: The Podcast, opened the CANA Convention by encouraging his fellow funeral professionals to Question Everything. Afterwards, Brian Waters began recording Undertaking: The Podcast from the floor to capture stories from individuals across the profession – tune in to listen! Jake Johnson, president and CEO at Johnson Consulting, helped attendees meet their challenges head-on with Interactive Strategic Planning. Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS) founder Michael Dixon and licensed funeral director and FPPS US program director Kim Zavrotny captured hearts by demonstrating how funeral professionals are Stronger Together: The Value of Peer Support. Barbara Kemmis presented CANA’s al-
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