Thank you to all who attended our 2021 Conference!
View letter from our Conference Chairman.
(English) (French)
Join FSAC for a Virtual Experience Like No Other.
June 8-9, 2021
11 SPEAKERS
The one of many great things about virtual events is access to GREAT speakers! This year's line up is sure to impress, see for yourself below!
3 EXPERT PANELS
Get updates from Canadian health care professionals, plus hear what technology & marketing strategies are working right from your peers!
UP TO 8 CEUs
Learn from some of the top never-before-seen speakers and get inspired by what's working for your peers - all while getting the credits you need.
NO CHARGE EVENT
It's been a long, tough year for our profession. We're doing this to give back so funeral professionals across Canada can leave inspired!
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE
ELEVEN SPEAKERS.
MICHAËLLE JEAN
The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean is the 27th Governor General, Commander-in-Chief of Canada. Following this, the United Nations called on her to become UNESCO Special Envoy to support reconstruction efforts in Haiti, where she was born.
Courage to Change by Michaëlle Jean
Tuesday, June 8 @ 12:15-1:15pm EST
TODD VAN BECK
Todd W. Van Beck is one of the best known and most well regarded educators, writers and speakers in the funeral profession. He teaches simple yet innovative ways to improve a funeral home.
>> Read Bio
Who Speaks for Funeral Service?
Wednesday, June 9 @ 3:00-4:30pm EST
JEFF CHANCELLOR
Jeff is the Director of Education, Training and Research for H.S. Eckels & Company. He is an experienced embalmer, funeral director, crematory operator, funeral celebrant, consultant and author.
>> Read Bio
Risk = Toxicity + Exposure
Wednesday, June 9 @ 11:00am-12:15pm EST
COLIN HASKETT
Born and raised above his family's business, Colin weighed all career options before declaring his intentions to become a funeral director at the age of 4. Today, he is also a certified Celebrant.
Finding the Celebration in Loss
Wednesday, June 9 @ 1:45-2:45pm EST
JOANNE MYERS
Joanne has years of experience facilitating national and international leadership programs. Currently working with Dignity Memorial as a certified Life Celebrant, she helps families find the celebration in loss.
>> Read Bio
Finding the Celebration in Loss
Wednesday, June 9 @ 1:45-3:45pm EST
JAMES MUNROE
James currently serves as Team Leader with Dignity Memorial for the Oshawa, Courtice and Peterborough area funeral homes.
Funeral Technology Expert Panel
Tuesday, June 8 @ 1:45-2:45pm EST
NICK MCCARTHY
Nick is the current Director of Marketing, Communications & Community Outreach, at Beechwood with over a decade of strategic communications experience working in private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
>> Read Bio
Social Media Marketing Expert Panel
Wednesday, June 9 @ 12:15-1:15pm EST
KELSI PALMER
In 2007, Kelsi entered SIAST to train as a funeral service professional. Speers hired her in 2008 and today, she manages the company's social media, successfully incorporating both education & staff.
>> Read Bio
Social Media Marketing Expert Panel
Wednesday, June 9 @ 12:15-1:15pm EST
BRAD JONES
Brad is president of Ridley Funeral Home in Etobicoke. Several years ago Brad started writing a column called 'Life's Undertaking' for a local magazine, which are now the basis of their firm's Podcast.
>> Read Bio
Funeral Technology Expert Panel
Tuesday, June 8 @ 1:45-2:45pm EST
JOSH DENNING
Josh’s primary responsibilities are as Manager of Media Services. He works with his brothers Bill and Brett to oversee operations at Denning’s Ltd. which operates funeral homes in Southwestern Ontario.
Funeral Technology Expert Panel
Tuesday, June 8 @ 1:45-2:45pm EST
JEFF HUM
Jeff Hum is the Senior Manager, Digital and CRM Marketing for Arbor Memorial. Jeff’s a digital marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience leading and managing teams.
Social Media Marketing Expert Panel
Wednesday, June 9 @ 12:15-1:15pm EST
THANK YOU SPONSORS
Thank you to FSAC Conference Supporters: Canadian Funeral News, Canadian Funeral Director & The Funeral Chronicle.
VIRTUAL SHOWCASE
SEE THE LATEST FUNERAL, CEMETERY & CREMATION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
THREE EXPERT PANELS.
EXPERT PANEL #1
HEALTH CARE PANEL DISCUSSION
Tuesday, June 8 @ 11:00am - 12:15pm EST
Moderated by: Allan Cole, President of FSAC
Panelists: Dr. Robert Strang (Nova Scotia), Dr. Vera Etches (Ottawa), Dr. Jazz Atwal (Manitoba), Dr. Chris Sikora (Alberta)
Hear from key stakeholders in the healthcare field representing ON, MB, NS, AB. They'll answer pandemic-related questions & share insights of where we're headed and discuss working with our profession.
EXPERT PANEL #2
FUNERAL TECHNOLOGY PANEL DISCUSSION
Tuesday, June 8 @ 1:45-2:45pm EST
Moderated by:
Ashley Montroy, Vice-President of FSAC
Panelists:
James Munroe, Dignity Memorial; Josh Denning, Denning's Ltd.; Brad Jones, Ridley Funeral Home
Your peers are shining a light on what technology has worked for them inside their funeral home. We'll talk live-streaming, electronic signatures, podcasting, what equipment you need (and why!) and so much more. Don't miss it!
FOUR PRESENTATIONS.
'COURAGE TO CHANGE'
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 @ 12:15-1:15pm EST
By: The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean |
Read Bio
The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean will provide a keynote address centered around her life story and the immeasurable adversity she has had to overcome to elevate herself to her current status. From humble beginnings to becoming the 27th Governor General of Canada; an inspirational message of hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. All of us have encountered adversity on a global scale over the past year. The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean's message will help to inspire with a message of resilience and perseverance.
WHO SPEAKS FOR FUNERAL SERVICE?
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 @ 3:00-4:00pm EST
By: Todd Van Beck |
Read Bio
Todd will address the attendees with answers to one of the most important questions funeral service grapples with to this day... "What do families want from death care professionals?". How do we as a profession rise to meet the ever evolving needs of an increasingly secular public. All of us strive to serve the public to the best of our ability, but many of us fall short. By applying tested and true best practices to the ever changing needs of an ever increasing secular public, the potential for a positive impact is within the reach of all bereavement sector employees.
FINDING THE CELEBRATION IN LOSS
Celebrant services continue to be an innovative and in demand aspect of funeral service. While religiosity has been steadily decreasing over the decades in North America, the number of people that identify as being spiritual has increased to fill this void. The public does not subscribe to religious ritual, yet still yearns and benefits from ritual in a different format. Celebrant services present an opportunity for increased personalization and connection for our families.
RISK = TOXICITY X EXPOSURE
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 @ 11:00am - 12:15pm EST
By: Jeff Chancellor |
Read Bio
'Risk = Toxicity x Exposure' highlights historical and recent case studies to empower death care professionals to confidently prepare and present today’s most dangerous and infectious embalming challenges.Topics include understanding the risks and exposure controls as well as strategies to destroy microorganisms in and on human remains and our workspaces
EXPERT PANEL #3
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING PANEL DISCUSSION
Wednesday, June 9 @ 12:15-1:15pm EST
Moderated by: Ashley Montroy, Vice-President of FSAC
Panelists: Kelsi Palmer, Speers Funeral Chapel; Nick McCarthy, Beechwood Cemetery; Jeff Hum, Arbor Memorial
Learn from your peers who are knocking it out of the park on social media. Hear how one firm for 1,200 leads on Facebook, how another uses contests and obituaries, tips for getting your staff involved and more.