Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) have reached a historic agreement to host a joint International Convention & Expo, October 23-26, 2011, in Chicago, Ill.

"This convention promises to be a landmark event for funeral service," said NFDA President William C. Wappner, CFSP. "As cremation is an important part of our members' businesses, it makes sense for NFDA to work closely with the leading cremation association to provide cutting edge information. Partnering with CANA on the 2011 International Convention & Expo allows NFDA to focus on its unique strengths and better serve its members through the strengths of our partner organization. CANA, likewise, can do the same for its members, including crematory owners, cemeterians and funeral directors."

"CANA members firmly believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization," said CANA President William B. McQueen, CFSP. "Our members – even if they do not own or operate funeral homes – work closely with funeral directors and cemeteries. This historic partnership with NFDA to host the 2011 International Convention & Expo will help bring funeral directors, cremationists and cemeterians together to build relationships, share ideas, solve common challenges and deliver meaningful services to families."

The decision to host the convention together comes after more than two years of collaboration between the two associations: NFDA joined CANA in producing the increasingly popular annual Cremation Symposium in 2009 and 2010; NFDA endorsed CANA's Crematory Operators Certification Program in 2009; and CANA representatives joined NFDA members in Washington, D.C. for the 2010 Advocacy Summit. In addition, members of CANA can register for NFDA-hosted continuing education events (e.g., teleconferences, Web seminars, on-site events) at the NFDA-member rate; NFDA members can, likewise, register for CANA-hosted continuing education events at CANA-member prices. The two associations have also been sharing information and resources for the benefit of their respective memberships.

Wappner noted that members of NFDA and CANA, as well as the supplier community, have expressed strong interest in more joint programming that builds on the strengths of both associations. According to McQueen, hosting a joint convention will help both associations make the best use of member, supplier and attendee dollars.

Wappner and McQueen stressed that the gathering will be structured in a way that maintains the unique identity of each association. More details about the 2011 NFDA & CANA International Convention & Expo will be released as they become available.

About NFDA: NFDA is the world's leading funeral service association, serving 19,000 individual members who represent more than 10,200 funeral homes in the United States and internationally. From its headquarters in Brookfield, Wis., and its Advocacy Division office in Washington, D.C., NFDA informs, educates and advocates to help members enhance the quality of service they provide to families. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.

About CANA: Founded in 1913, CANA is the oldest organization of its kind. Comprised of more than 1,300 members, including cemeterians, cremationists, funeral directors, industry suppliers and consultants, CANA members span 50 states, the District of Columbia, nine Canadian provinces and seven countries – Australia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Israel, Mexico, the Philippines and The Netherlands. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization. CANA is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA. To learn more about CANA, visit www.cremationassociation.org.

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Contacts:
NFDA: Jessica Koth, 262-814-1536
CANA: John Ross, 312-245-1077