CANA Future Leaders Academic Scholarships

The Future Leaders Academic Scholarship honors the many leaders who guided the association throughout its history and those that will steer CANA – and the profession – into the future.

Full-time or part-time students in good standing who are enrolled in an ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited mortuary science or funeral service institution or program are eligible to apply. Students who have been accepted into a program but have not started coursework are not yet eligible to apply.

​The scholarship is awarded twice each year – spring and fall – to provide US$2,500 in support of the student's studies.

​Applications are accepted for Jack Springer Scholarship by the Funeral Service Foundation on behalf of CANA. Candidates can apply:

• September 15 - November 1 for the fall award
  
• February 15 - April 1 for the spring award

Apply Today!

“Thank you very much for awarding me this scholarship. I am deeply humbled, grateful, and energized by this news. This recognition means a great deal to me: both in terms of the financial support and affirmation that I am on the right track with my career goals in the profession.”
- Christina Andreola, awarded the CANA/Jack Springer Scholarship (now the CANA Future Leaders Scholarship) in Spring 2026 (Canadian College of Funeral Service, Vancouver, British Columbia)

About the Future Leaders Scholarship

In 2011, CANA launched the Jack Springer Scholarship. Named for long-time executive director of the Cremation Association of North America, the scholarship was founded to identify students who share a passion for cremation and commitment to funeral service.

​When Jack Springer joined CANA as executive director in the 1980s, the national cremation rate was below 20% in the US and 30% in Canada. In an era when funeral professionals were still learning about the disposition method, Jack Springer became the spokesperson not just for CANA, but cremation. Jack was passionate about the topic and could see a future in which cremation was the preferred form of disposition. The cremation rate surpassed 50% in Canada in 2003 and the US in 2016. ​Jack Springer retired from CANA in 2006 and died in July 2022. You can read his obituary here.

In 2026, during cremation’s 150th anniversary year, CANA’s Board of Directors renamed the scholarship to reflect the association’s broader commitment to innovation and growth. Now, the Future Leaders Academic Scholarship honors the many leaders who guided the association throughout its history and those that will steer CANA – and the profession – into the future.

ABOUT CANA

The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) was founded in 1913. From the start, the association has been a resource of cremation information such as operational best practices, statistical data, and family service and memorialization. Now, the association has over 3,500 member funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, suppliers, consultants, schools, students, and more who turn to the association for its more than 110 years of cremation expertise and resources.

The CANA Crematory Operations Certification Program (CANA COCP) is renowned for crematory operator best practices and has certified thousands of professionals in the US and Canada. CANA's Annual Statistics Report is regarded as the most reliable data on cremation disposition and projections in the profession. The association’s continued leadership is seen in the CANA-Certified Cremation Specialist program that furthers cremation training to family support, the Deathcare Business Administration Certification program that provides ambitious managers to take the next step, and the Certified Hospice Relations Specialist program that supports strong community relationships.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

​ESSAY & VIDEO

​Each candidate is required to 1) answer five questions in no more than 250 words per question, and 2) submit a brief video, no longer than two minutes. Details about these materials are available from the Funeral Service Foundation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

When you submit your application, you’ll also be required to upload:

1. Your most recent transcripts from your ABFSE- or Canadian-accredited institution.
2. A letter of good standing from an instructor or program director.
3. A letter of recommendation.

TO APPLY

Candidates can apply:

• September 15 - November 1 for the fall award
  
• February 15 - April 1 for the spring award

Applications for the Jack Springer Scholarship are accepted by the Funeral Service Foundation on CANA's behalf. Questions about your submission, the process, and more can be directed to the Foundation.

Apply Today!

“I can continue my studies in mortuary science with more concentration and less financial strain thanks to this scholarship. Your investment in my education enhances my capacity to enter the field prepared, self-assured, and determined to provide compassionate care because I am a person who is deeply committed to helping families.”
- Samia Craft, awarded the CANA/Jack Springer Scholarship (now the Future Leaders Scholarship) in Fall 2025 (Arapahoe Community College, Castle Rock, Colorado)

 

Support Future Leaders

Join us in supporting future leaders of funeral service with a gift to the CANA Future Leaders Academic Scholarship, in honor of the many leaders who guided the profession throughout history and those that will steer it into the future.

Donate Now

Pledge Your Support

Access to a great education is one of the central tenets of the Funeral Service Foundation’s mission of investing in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities. Your gift enables the Foundation to impact the careers of the funeral service professionals who go to work every day to serve families at a great time of loss and need, and uplift grieving communities. 

"I look forward to an honorable career in the funeral service, and hope that I can one day offer support to future students pursuing a career in funeral service." 
- Christopher Bobo, awarded the CANA/Jack Springer Scholarship (now the CANA Future Leaders Academic Scholarship) in Spring 2025 (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, LeRoy, New York)

The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) thanks the Funeral Service Foundation for their support of our profession's future.