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  • About CANA
    • Staff List
    • Code of Cremation Practice
    • Position Statements
    • History of Cremation
    • Board of Directors >
      • Get Involved with CANA
    • Media >
      • News
    • CANA Member Directory
    • Contact Us
  • Choosing Cremation
    • Transport of Cremated Remains
    • Cremation Process
    • Arranging for Cremation >
      • Memorial Options
      • Cremation Services
      • Planning and Payment
      • Choosing a Provider
    • Find Local CANA Members
  • For Practitioners
    • Why Join CANA? >
      • CANA Member Benefits
      • Member Login
    • Self Care for Funeral Professionals
    • Create Your Profile
    • CANA Publications >
      • CANA Cremationist Magazine
      • Blog
      • CANA's Cremation Brochure Series
      • Industry Statistical Information
    • CANA Marketplace
    • 2025 Media Kit
    • Crematory Management Program
    • CANA PR Toolkit
    • Find Local CANA Members
  • Education
    • Access Your Online Courses
    • Crematory Operator Certification >
      • COCP - In English
      • COCP - en français
      • COCP - en Español
      • Pet Cremation (CPCO)
      • Alabama Refresher Program
      • Illinois Refresher Course
    • Cremation Specialist Certification
    • Business Administration Certification
    • Continuing Education Online
    • Pet Aftercare
    • Natural Organic Reduction >
      • Natural Organic Reduction Operations Certification
    • Digital Certificates & Badges
    • Academic Scholarships
    • Calendar of Events
    • Webinars
    • 107th Convention
    • 2026 Symposium
  • Career Center

CANA's Illinois Crematory Operator Refresher Course

 

ILLINOIS CREMATORY OPERATORS REFRESHER COURSE

The CANA Crematory Operations Certification Program™ (COCP™) was the first course designed to provide best practices for crematory operators in the profession. This Illinois Refresher Course ensures that you and your employees continue to operate with the most current training available in the industry.
As an Approved Certification Provider for the Illinois Office of Comptroller, this course satisfies the two-hour continuing education requirement for certified crematory operators.
register
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why attend?

This course reviews critical issues related to crematory operations, and satisfies Illinois's two-hour continuing education course requirement for crematory operators and provides valuable Continuing Education credits.
If you do not live in Illinois, do not take this course, as you will not receive credit in any other state.
If you have not taken the full certification program, you are not eligible to take the Refresher course. Review the State of Illinois's requirements and our Crematory Operations Certification Program for the necessary training and certification.
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COURSE FORMAT

The course is offered online and on-demand. The online course consists of 2 hours of online instruction and a final exam. The course is self-paced; each time you log off, your last location will be bookmarked so you can resume where you left off the next time you log in. You have 90 days to complete the course once you begin. ​
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SOFTWARE/HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR TAKING THE refresher COURSE

1. Sound capabilities (for listening to videos and narration)
​2. Browser
     Desktop Browsers: the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari
     Mobile Browsers: the latest version of Safari (Apple) or Google Chrome (Apple, Android)
     Browser Settings: JavaScript must be enabled; font downloads must be enabled
     Screen Readers: latest version of JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack
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FEES

Illinois Operators: $125

what's included

  • The three (3) course modules
  • A downloadable and printable participant guide containing all the content covered during the course
  • The course test
  • A letter of completion, available for download after completing all course requirements
register
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is your next online class?
You can take the Illinois Refresher Course anytime. CANA's online program is completely self-paced and on-demand so you can complete whenever you need it. From the date of registration, you have 90 days to complete the online coursework, but can easily pause and resume as your schedule demands.
What are the prerequisites for taking this class?
This course is designed for previously certified crematory operators working in the State of Illinois. All registrants should be currently operating or maintaining certification to continue operating a crematory in Illinois.
Will I be able to operate a cremator after taking this class?
We do not teach how to physically operate a cremator in this class. This training complements on-the-job training and machine-specific training you might receive. Each piece of equipment is different, and your employer and/or manufacturer will provide training on specific equipment.
Will I be able to get a job as a crematory operator/technician after taking this class?
There are many factors that contribute to your success in attaining a crematory operator job. It is routine for employers to conduct background checks, talk to references, and interview you. In addition, you will need to contact the regulatory board in your state to determine what their requirements are for crematory operators. Each state has their own regulations and requirements. Some states require Operator Certification such as this class, and some do not. Some require only that certification is taken once, while others require that it be renewed every five years. Employers have their own requirements and expectations as well and these vary widely based on business practices. It is your responsibility to talk to prospective or current employers, as well as regulators, to determine if you should take this course.
Do I need this course?
​​If you are currently operating a crematory in the State of Illinois and need to complete the two-hours of continuing education credits, this class is for you!
 
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CURRICULUM

This course presents material in a series of modules. They are as follows:
Module 1: The Cremation Process in Detail
A detailed discussion of the cremation process will address receiving remains, preparation for cremation, handling special cases, and the steps of the process itself.
Learning Outcomes
​
At the end of this module, participants should be able to:
  1. Explain the key processes and steps in the receiving, preparing, recovering and processing of remains.
Module 2: Chain of custody
Documentation is key and this module will cover different types of forms and documents used, address the risk of liability and common errors, and then cover the documentation related to the receiving, tracking and return of remains.
Learning Outcomes
​
At the end of this module, participants should be able to:
  1. Identify and use the proper forms for documenting chain of custody.
Module 3: Reducing legal risk
Aside from chain of custody, there are other important areas to focus on to reduce legal risk. This section addresses operations, staff training, compliance, handling regulatory investigations, and third party crematory considerations.
Learning Outcomes
​
At the end of this module, participants should be able to:
  1. Describe additional ways that a business can minimize legal risk.
Final Exam
The final exam will consist of 18 questions covering all 3 modules. The assessment allows 3 attempts for a passing score, and is open book.
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CREMATORY OPERATIONS COURSE CATALOG

CANA offers several crematory operators programs to meet the needs of a variety of businesses and regulations. Click the titles below to learn more about your options for getting CANA Certified.
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