PRESS RELEASE
WHEELING, IL — If you know Larry Stuart, Jr., you know that he’s not a “new-age, hipster, airy-fairy, kombucha-drinking meditation guru.” But he does understand that staff in the funeral industry are in special peril right now. “The everyday challenges of working in death care, combined with a global pandemic, are a sure-fire recipe for increased risk of depression, anxiety, stress, behavioral issues, and substance abuse,” he says. “That’s why I’m partnering with Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS) and the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) to facilitate the February peer support meeting.” Join Larry and connect with your peers on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT!
Rather than meditation, Larry will focus on “self-care that is less esoteric in nature,” he clarifies. “I am the guy who feels satisfaction when I can remove a variable that will almost guarantee things will work out correctly.” So, during February’s peer support meeting, Larry will zoom in on the real and imagined challenges that keep funeral professionals up at night: things like mishandled bodies and wrongful cremation.
A consultant specializing in funeral home and crematory operations, Larry Stuart, Jr. hears countless stories about what can go wrong on an average workday that might jeopardize the trust of the community. “We do the best we can while worrying about our families—both personal and professional—and our businesses, our resilience,” explained Larry. “This worry takes a huge toll on us emotionally, and often it is not even acknowledged. We will recognize it for what it is and make tangible, purposeful steps to care for ourselves first, so that we can serve our families effectively, no matter the situation.”
Even if you’ve never experienced such a mishap, the chance that something could happen can add unnecessary stress to an already challenging job. Join Larry, CANA’s own Barbara Kemmis, and FPPS to talk about these fears with your peers. Whether or not you have a particular pressing issue to discuss, the meetings are a valuable place to offer support to your colleagues, too!
If you for a funeral home, cemetery, or crematory serving the public or supporting those who do—connect with us on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT via Zoom link at goCANA.org/peersupport. Students, apprentices, and interns are welcome to join as well.
About Funeral Professionals Peer Support
Funeral Professionals Peer Support Group is committed to providing support, healing, education and knowledge to funeral professionals. They promote wholeness and wellness by uniting funeral sector professionals through a Canada-wide network of regional organizations offering support, information and resources within their community.
About CANA
Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,300 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.
