2024 Agenda

**Repeated on Wednesday**
Feel like you are an ax juggler some days? The ever-changing funeral landscape can cause disruption and stress, leaving you feeling constantly on edge. From staff shortages, high burnout and the pressure to stand out, even the most seasoned professional can feel that there’s simply no time to actually lead. 

Together, we’ll learn how to press the pause button and discover practical tools for reflecting, recharging and navigating disruption. Cate will share a self inventory to evaluate your own strengths, shortcomings and the ways you sabotage yourself as a leader. You’ll explore how your “iron rules” may be blocking you from being the powerhouse leader you want to be. Cate’s powerful “4 rooms” leadership formula will help you gain greater clarity, confidence, courage and resilience. You’ll leave with tools for being more decisive, navigating change with a bulletproof vest, greater self-regulation and getting that spring back in your step. (1 CE hour)

***Repeated on Tuesday***

Today’s consumers are exposed to thousands of messages daily. How can your funeral home ensure that your message rises to the top and resonates with families in need? In this session, you will discover how to create effective, targeted marketing plans that go well beyond “positive word of mouth.”

Remember that funeral homes are, at their core, retail businesses. Just like furniture stores in the 1800s that also offered caskets and undertaking services, funeral homes fulfill a specific consumer need. The key to effective marketing is to understand your customers and build relationships to satisfy their needs over time. We’ll focus on how consumers think and how the subconscious mind comes into play. Strategic planning will ensure that your funeral home will be the one they turn to in their time of greatest need. (1 CE hour)

***Repeated of Tuesday***
We will delve into the mindset of the embalmer and their perceptions of possibility. We’ll explore the selection of chemicals tailored to specific cases, and the practical implications they hold, not only for the remains being treated but also for the embalmer themselves. Through examining challenging cases, we’ll learn systematic approaches to achieve the necessary results for meeting families’ viewing expectations. Let’s explore equipment, chemicals, and the thought processes necessary for success, not only within the preparation room but also within the profession as a whole. (1 CE hour)

Discover eco-friendly options for honoring loved ones in this insightful session for funeral directors. Learn about green burial alternatives and practical tips for integrating sustainable practices into your services. Explore how earth-friendly choices can enrich your role and meet the evolving needs of families. (1 CE hour)

While change can create uncertainty and disrupt our routines, we’ve all come to know it’s inevitable, constant and necessary for growth. So how can we develop our skills to navigate and manage it more successfully and more willingly accept the challenges it can bring? It starts with a growth mindset and recognizing the importance of addressing the people side of change. Listen in as we talk about how embracing both has worked across our network of funeral homes and how the importance of having strong communication channels at all levels of your organization can help to address resistance and leverage early adopters and those who champion change. (1 CE hour)