Our Plate Is Full: Lessons from a European Cremation Journey

6/17/2026

There is an old German folk saying: „Jeder sollte auf seinen eigenen Teller schauen, aber ab und zu auch auf den des Nachbarn.”

“Everyone must look at their own plate, but occasionally also at their neighbor’s.”

It reminds us to be curious about what others have and consider new options for ourselves. In the cremation profession, this wisdom feels particularly relevant.

Every country, every business, and every association has its own plate to manage. We navigate unique regulations, cultural expectations, consumer preferences, technologies, and operational realities. The daily responsibility of serving families—often during their most difficult moments—can easily consume all of our attention.

Our plates are, without question, full. Yet progress rarely comes from focusing inward alone. It comes when we look up.

A Journey Beyond Our Own Plate

This belief guided the recent journey across Europe that I took with CANA President Lindsey Ballard at the beginning of June.

Every other year, the International Cremation Federation (ICF), for whom I have the privilege to currently serve as President, gathers alongside a major funeral exposition. This year, our meetings were held in conjunction with the European Cremation Network (ECN) and the Funeral Trade Exhibition (Bestattungsfachausstellung or BEFA) trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Before those meetings and expositions began, Lindsey and I participated in the Orthometals Study Tour—a multi-day experience designed to provide an in-depth look at cremation and memorialization practices across several leading European markets.

A Global Conversation on the Road

There was a remarkably diverse group of attendees. I learned just as much during the conversations I had with my Australian seatmate on the bus as I did during the formal tours and programming. – Lindsey Ballard, CANA President

Beginning in Amsterdam, our group brought together professionals from around the world—Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Finland, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Over several days, we traveled by coach through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, visiting a range of cremation facilities and related organizations.

Despite our varied backgrounds, we shared a common purpose: to learn from one another.

Each stop offered not only a glimpse into different systems and practices, but also an opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and reflect on how our approaches compare and contrast.

This experience reinforced what we already knew—no one country has all the answers.

What We Saw—and What It Means

Throughout the tour, several key themes emerged.

1. Cremation Facilities Reflect Culture

The crematories we visited were so beautiful, clean and welcoming. They were designed with intention to meet the needs of their communities and welcome families through their doors. – Lindsey Ballard, CANA President

The crematoria we visited varied widely in design, scale, and atmosphere. Some emphasized modern architecture and technology, while others focused on creating deeply personal, serene experiences for families.

What stood out most was how clearly these facilities reflected cultural expectations. The way services are structured, how families interact with the process, and even the design of the spaces themselves are shaped by the values of the communities they serve.

It was a powerful reminder: best practices are not one-size-fits-all.

2. Innovation Is Already Operational

Seeing how Belgium is implementing alkaline hydrolysis was so interesting. They are gathering information and doing research that already exists in the US. As I spoke with their staff, I began sharing tips and lessons I’ve learned over the past 6 years since we implemented Resomation in my business… it was clear that there is so much we learn from each other if we only start the conversation. – Lindsey Ballard, CANA President

Among the crematoria visits, we toured Europe’s first alkaline hydrolysis facility located at CANA Member Pontes in Belgium. Seeing this technology in operation—and understanding the regulatory, academic and cultural framework that supports it—provided valuable perspective for those of us navigating similar conversations in other regions.

We also visited Loop Biotech, where mycelium-based burial products represent a striking example of sustainability-driven innovation in the design of coffins and urns.

Our visit to CANA Member Orthometals highlighted an often-overlooked part of the cremation process: the recovery and recycling of metals following cremation. What was once considered a minor operational detail has evolved into a highly organized, global effort that emphasizes environmental responsibility and ethical stewardship.

These are not theoretical concepts. They are real, functioning solutions already serving communities.

3. Sustainability Is a Driving Force

Across nearly every stop, sustainability emerged as a central theme.

From material innovation to equipment design and maintenance and energy practices, there is a clear and growing focus on reducing environmental impact. This is not being driven solely by regulation, but increasingly by cost concerns and consumer expectations.

Families are asking new questions—and the profession is responding.

4. Direct Cremation is Increasingly Global

Direct cremation, defined in the US as cremation without services provided by a funeral home or cemetery, is often referred to as a “technical cremation” among the group we traveled with. A technical cremation is conducted without ceremony or witnessing.

In all countries except Germany, the majority of cremations take place with a brief ceremony. Often a reception with food and beverage follows when permitted. As in the US, the cremation itself is typically low cost, but the gathering, catering and placement of the urn generate income for the crematorium.

Technical cremations are rising in frequency, as are witnessed cremations. At every location we heard about the importance of choice and personalization.

The Value of Looking Beyond Ourselves

Everyone on the tour, regardless of their country or culture, shared a passion for providing families with quality cremation services. – Lindsey Ballard, CANA President

Looking at our neighbor’s plate is not about comparison or competition, rather it is about curiosity.

It is about understanding how others are responding to workforce challenges, shifting consumer expectations, technological advances, and evolving regulations. It is about recognizing both the similarities we share and the differences that shape our approaches.

As we celebrate 150 years of cremation in the United States, it was meaningful to partake in Germany’s own 150th anniversary celebration. The cremation movement has always evolved through the exchange of ideas. Innovations, best practices, and professional standards have crossed borders and generations because leaders were willing to look at their neighbor’s plate: to listen, observe, and adapt.

Experiences like this do more than broaden perspective—they directly inform how we think about our own work.

They challenge us to ask:

What can we adapt from what we’ve seen?
How can we better meet changing expectations?
Where are we falling behind—and where are we leading?

The participants of the tour discussed these questions and made plans to take what they learned back to their national associations and colleagues.

A Call to Engage

As members of a global profession, we each have a responsibility to care for our own plate. But we also have an opportunity—and perhaps an obligation—to occasionally look up.

Engage with peers beyond your immediate network. Participate in conversations that show us new ideas. Share your experiences and be open to learning from others.

The future of cremation will not be built by any one nation, business, or organization. It will be shaped through collaboration, shared learning, and mutual respect.

Closing Reflection

Our plates are full. That will not change.

But what can change—what must change—is how often we look beyond them.

Because when we take the time to see what others are doing, to ask questions, and to share ideas, we do more than improve our own work. You need not travel abroad to practice this but instead can do so with your local or national associations and colleagues.

We help shape the future of our profession—together.

If you’re ready for conversations and ideas that get you thinking outside of the box, consider CANA’s 108th Annual Convention. There, presenters will talk about topics like AI, death doulas, abandoned urns, and more. But the conversations you can experience with cremation leaders from across the nation during breaks, meals, and in your down time are just as valuable. Join us in Minneapolis this August 12-14: cremationassociation.org/CANA26

Barbara Kemmis is Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America where she promotes all things cremation through member programs, education and strategic partnerships. After more than 25 years of experience in association leadership, Barbara knows that bringing people together to advance common goals is not only fun, but the most effective strategy to get things done.

Barbara earned a master’s degree in library science from Dominican University, a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from North Park University and a B.A. from Earlham College.

The 25 Year Celebrant Journey

6/3/2026

It is 1999. Doug Manning and I stood in the Dodge Auditorium at Mt. Ida College in Newton, Mass. Sitting in the seats were 50 brave people who had answered the invitation to come see this new approach to creating services that would help and heal and make a difference in the lives of grieving people. We were slightly nervous, trying this for the first time. We had put together materials, we had a flip chart—long before laptops and power point—and we had a vision. So, for three days we talked about it, shared ideas and in those moments, the Funeral Celebrant movement was born.

We Would Not Be Denied

What was the vision? That the funeral service itself needed to be the first important step in the grieving process. That the funeral service itself needed to be personalized and customized to fit the life of the person. That the funeral service itself had historically ignored or missed the needs of families who were not affiliated with a faith tradition or did not wish to have a traditional religious or liturgical experience. That the funeral service itself needed to change. Now.

The concept of Funeral Celebrants came from the experiences of Australia and New Zealand that had been utilizing Civil Celebrants in their countries for over two decades. They had found that creating one of a kind funerals was such a gift to families and a boost in business for the firms. People will come to a place that offers ears and stories and creativity and talent.

We knew that cremation was beginning to make a significant impact upon the funeral business and also knew that the statistics showed the growing number of people who were self-identifying as “nones”—people who did not identify as being religious. And that funeral service had been so engaged and tied to religious traditions that they were at a loss as to how to even offer something different to those families. So, they stood at the door and watched people walked away with the urn in the hands with no service. Not good for grieving families. Not good for funeral professionals.

We saw Celebrants as part of the answer. A different way to think about how to create and craft services. A new practice of story telling as healing. A unique approach that could transform funeral firms.

And after our first experience, we hit the road. We were a five-person family-owned publishing company in Oklahoma City, publishing Doug’s books on grief and life transitions and scheduling his speaking engagements. We had no national presence or influence. But, we would not be denied. We would pick out a few cities, book a hotel, send out information and invitations and hope that people would show up. And, sometimes they did. Sometimes they did not. It was a hard slog for a few years.

New Jersey was very first association that stood up and took the opportunity and responsibility of improving funeral service for firms and families by offering training to their members.

Following their example, soon we were being contacted by other state associations and then national associations. Since 2010, every training has been sponsored by a state, national or international association. In 2019 we held 17 trainings, including one in Bogota, Colombia through ALPAR. To date, in our 25th year, we have trained 5900 individuals from 47 states, 9 Canadian provinces and 23 countries.

So, there’s the history and the numbers. But what lies beyond? What truly do Celebrants do for families? What truly do Celebrants do for firms?

Part of the Journey

A funeral professional meets with a family. They are given the opportunity to express what type of service would be the most healing and touching for them. They might say they do not go to church. They might say that they are spiritual but not religious. They might say that they are a mixed family with some church attendees and some who never darken the door. They might be concerned about the type of death—suicide, over dose, violence, homicide—and that their loved one would be judged or condemned. And this is when the arranger can say “We have Celebrants who can serve your family in the most personal and unique way”. And the Celebrant becomes part of the journey.

The Celebrant has a family meeting, creating a safe space for stories and laughter and tears and grief so the Celebrant can gather up all the elements that will part of the service. Music, video, ceremonies, speakers, scripture, prayer, blessings, final committal, whatever is right and comfortable as this family searching for ways to establish the significance of this life and communicate their loss, their love and how their lives will be forever changed.

The Celebrant works with the funeral professional staff assuring that all parts of the service are coordinated and scripted with a story that flows through the entire experience.

And, on our best days, after the service is completed, the family will leave knowing that they did their very best to celebrate the life and mourn the death of their family member, that the guests who came to support this family will leave understanding that there is a special and healing way to hold a funeral, that the firm stands as a beacon of brave creativity and professional guidance and support.

I have had the opportunity to work extensively with a funeral director who opened a new firm in a small town of 8,000 citizens outside of Oklahoma City. He was adamant that his conservative and church-on-every-street-corner town would never accept Celebrants. But, he began offering Celebrants services and the community started seeing how special and personalized these experiences could be. In the past two years, I had been honored to serve 75% of his families. That’s a big jump from zero.

Each one different, unique, special.

What do these services look like? As an independent contractor who works for several firms, my time can be wide and varied and so very interesting.

In recent weeks, I was privileged to conduct the following services:

74-year-old woman who died of cancer. Very well-known and popular jeweler in town. We held a Sunday evening service at the funeral home prior to Catholic liturgy and inurnment at her Catholic church the following day.

85-year-old man who had multiple health issues. Service held at a campsite next to a lake where the family had held reunions.

82-year-old woman who was very simple and reclusive. Service held at graveside in her hometown.

34-year-old woman with mental health and substance abuse issues who took her own life after her children were taken into CPS custody.

84-year-old woman with multiple health problems. Shared the platform with two pastors from Pentecostal Holiness churches, 3 grandchildren and her best friend who were also speakers.

52-year-old man who died suddenly of a heart attack at work leaving behind a wife and two teenage kids.

55-year-old man of the LDS faith. His family was not part of the church so we had a Celebrant service the evening before and they had his LDS service the following day.

69-year-old man who died of suicide in his car at the cemetery where he had recently made pre-arrangements.

17-week gestational twins where 20 family members poured sand to represent all the layers of love for these little ones who never had a chance to meet them, followed by a bubble ceremony.

17-year-old boy who had lived on a breathing tube, a ventilator and feeding tube in a care facility for his entire life. The family wanted a Harry Potter theme and invited everyone to wear the color of their “house”.

Each one different. Each one unique. Each one special. Each one that can never be replicated.

Sadly, Doug left us in January of 2025. In his last weeks, we talked a lot about his incredible 92 years. The 42 books he had written, the places he had traveled all over the world, the impact and comfort his bereavement work had provided to millions of people. But, he said repeatedly that the thing he was the most proud of was bringing Celebrants to the funeral profession. That was his shining legacy and he died knowing that he left a beacon that will continue to help and heal grieving families for the years to come.

And, because of the continuing efforts of funeral professionals around the world, and dedicated funeral associations like CANA, the work continues. We invite you to join us.

Join the movement. CANA hosts Glenda Stansbury and Kathy Burns as they lead the threee-day intensive Celebrant Training from the InSight Institute in Chicago this September 22-24. Learn more about this training and register to become a Celebrant.

Can't wait for more Glenda? She and celebrant Brent Patterson step onto the CANA Convention stage to encourage attendees to reflect on What Does Gathering Look Like For You? In their session, they bring a new perspective to reimagining our offerings and redefining how we offer information and guidance as we paint the picture of gathering for our families. See what else we have planned and register for the 108th Annual Convention in Minneapolis this August

The Celebrant Movement and the Cremation Movement share many similarities, particularly in the last 25 years of growth and adaptation. As we take this year to reflect on 150 years of modern cremation history, you're invited to share your own story, history, and reflections. Join the Sesquicentennial Celebration.

Glenda Stansbury, CFSP, MALS is the Dean of the InSight Institute of Funeral Celebrants, VP of InSight Books, a division of Funeral Directors Resource, adjunct professor for UCO Funeral Service Department and Worsham Mortuary College and a practicing Certified Funeral Celebrant. She received the 2022 ICCFA Educational Foundation Lasting Impact Award.