Professional Skills
Imagining the Unimaginable: Promoting Healing After the Death of a Child
Betsy Hawley, M.A., Executive Director, Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition
Kristin James, LCPC, Executive Director, Greater-Ilinois Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition
The death of a child is difficult to even contemplate but, for nearly 45,000 families each year, it proves an unwelcome reality. Moreover, these deaths profoundly affect countless other siblings, grandparents, extended family members, friends, neighbors, and professional caregivers. Regardless of the age of the child or the cause of death, the stigma and fear associated with childhood death isolates families and limits their access to support. Funeral professionals are powerfully and uniquely positioned to impact the healing potential for grieving families, and the broader community, following the death of a child. During this workshop, Hawley will examine lessons learned from an innovative partnership between the Funeral Service Foundation, NFDA and the Collaborative of Pediatric Palliative Care Coalitions to improve the end-of-life experience for families and the community following the death of a child.
(1 CE hour)
Business Operations
Buying or Selling? Securing Your Legacy. Securing Your Future.
Tim Bridgers, General Manager, Live Oak Bank
Is your firm ready to grow but needs financing to acquire a funeral home, a crematory or an event center? While many current/future business owners have not undertaken a major financing process in a long time (or ever), buying your dream business can become a reality if you plan properly, remain aware of your options, and understand how to navigate the financing path. During this workshop, Bridgers will cover everything from valuations, cash-flow analysis, and pro-forma adjustments to different financing products and what they mean for you. Gain a bird's-eye perspective of the lender and how to win.
(1 CE hour)

Professional Skills
The Relevance of Restorative Art
Dominick Astorino, Adjunct Faculty, Wayne State University and Worsham College of Mortuary Science
Why is restorative art still important today? Is it necessary to offer trauma restoration services in today’s age and culture? This philosophical discussion has been presented on four continents and challenged the way funeral service professionals across the world think on this topic. It will examine the history, development, cultural shifts and current state of restorative art in our profession and reaffirm the value that seeing the dead has on individuals, communities, societies and your business.
(1 CE hour)