The Space Between Words
September 24, 2025 @ 1 PM – 2 PM
Category A - 1CEC
Summary of the session:
Honouring What’s Unsaid, Weaving What’s True, and Holding Grief with Grace
It’s a session created to support both seasoned and newer professionals in this ever-evolving landscape where grief is showing up in more complex, layered, and unexpected ways.
Rather than add more to your team’s already full plates, this workshop offers three gentle, intuitive tools they can fold right into how they already show up with families. The goal is to offer “ah-ha” moments sprinkled with empowerment through unique tools and affirming approaches that prove to make a profound difference.
Presenter: Kelly Meloche is an international keynote speaker, funeral celebrant, and creator of the World Class Celebrant™ coaching program. A graduate of The Speaker Lab, she is also certified through Hospice’s No One Dies Alone program.
Kelly is a proud published author of Leaving Your Light On… Inspirational Stories of Unforgettable Lives and serves couples as a licensed wedding officiant. Her background in media communications and tactical-communications training helps her teach clear, compassionate dialogue to funeral professionals. Her success as a grassroots entrepreneur has been featured in the Toronto Star, National Post, Global’s 16 x 9, and the podcast Healthcare Elsewhere.
Funeral Professional Peer Support
October 15, 2025 @ 1 PM – 2 PM
Category B - 1 CEC
Summary of the session:
Participants will be introduced to the mission, values, and aims of Funeral Professional Peer Support as a helpful way of providing mental health support to those who work in the funeral services profession. The presentation will cover the available services for any person working in the Funeral Services Profession, including other allied helping services that involve death care. FPPS is a not-for-profit service aimed at increasing knowledge and mental health awareness among the funeral services profession. We currently support FSPs in Canada, the USA, and Kenya. For a funeral home whose mental health or wellness programs are limited because of costs or lack of resources, FPPS can help provide another buffer against the stress and impact of death and grief labour. Join two of our members of the Management Team and Board of Directors as they open a dialogue about peer support services and other initiatives FPPS is bringing to the members of the funeral services profession.
Presenter:
Andrea Grieg, FD, CFSP: Nova Scotia Funeral Director, Embalmer, and part-time Instructor with Nova Scotia Community College, Kingstec Campus (Online Allied Health FSE Program), Management Team of FPPS, she is also host of the Death Talk Canada Podcast. She works for Middleton Funeral Home in Middleton, Nova Scotia.
Dwight Thompson, MSW RSW RMFT-S, is a Registered Social Worker/Marriage and Family Therapist with Ottawa Psychotherapy Services, Ottawa, ON. He works as a board member with FPPS. Dwight was formerly licensed as a funeral director in Nova Scotia and Ontario. He is the Director of Veterans Services and manager of the Funeral Service Professional Mental Health Program through Ottawa Psychotherapy Services.
Estate Planning Essentials for Canadians
Wills, POAs & Executors
October 29, 2025 @ 1 PM – 2 PM
Category A - 1CEC
Summary of the session:
A comprehensive guide to understanding the legal foundations of estate planning in Ontario and across Canada.
Presented by: Solus Trust & MacDougall Family Wealth Management
Riaan Botha, Senior Trust Advisor — Expert in legal, fiduciary, insurance, investment, and banking sectors.
David MacDougall, CIM, Senior Portfolio Manager — A legacy of financial stewardship since 1999.
Mark Reynolds, CFA, Partner & Portfolio Manager — Cross-border advisor licensed in Canada and the USA.
This presentation provides a practical overview of key estate planning tools every Canadian should understand. It covers the importance of having a valid Will, the roles and responsibilities of Powers of Attorney (POAs), and the critical function of Executors in managing and distributing an estate.
Attendees will gain clarity on how to protect their assets, ensure their wishes are respected, and avoid common pitfalls that can lead to legal complications or family disputes. For funeral professionals, this session offers valuable insights that can help guide families through end-of-life planning conversations with greater confidence and sensitivity. By understanding the legal and emotional dimensions of estate planning, professionals can better support families in making informed decisions that honour their loved ones’ wishes and ease the burden during challenging times.
What Not to Do at a Crime Scene
November 12, 2025
Category A - 1CEC
Summary of the session:
Stay tuned for more details.
Navigating the Sale of Your Funeral Home
November 26, 2025 @ 1 PM – 2 PM
Category A - 1CEC
Summary of the session:
This presentation is designed to equip funeral professionals with the insights and tools needed for a smooth and successful transition, whether you’re considering a sale now or planning for the future.
In this session, you will:
• walk through each stage of the transaction—from the Letter of Intent to closing and post-sale considerations
• provide practical insights on preparing for succession and address the key issues that may arise throughout the process
• highlight key legal, regulatory, and tax issues that may arise during the sale process
• provide insight into current market trends and what they mean for the future of your business
Presenter: Jordan Morelli, Managing Partner and Head of the Funeral and Cremation Law Group at Linmac LLP.
Estate Administration Tax
December 10th, 2025 @ 1PM CATEGORY A – 1CEC
The Ministry of Finance recognizes the vital role funeral professionals play in guiding families through some of life’s most challenging moments. With families turning to funeral professionals for guidance about estate matters, we are partnering with the OFSA to launch our Introduction to Ontario’s Estate Administration Tax webinar. This webinar is designed to support anyone involved in estate planning or administration. Participants will learn:
• What the Estate Administration Tax is and when it is payable
• What assets to include or exclude when calculating the value of an estate for tax purposes
• How to calculate and pay the tax
• How to complete and file an Estate Information Return
The session also includes an opportunity for participants to ask general questions about the topic to Ministry of Finance tax experts.
Stephanie Holdam is a Senior Program Advisory Specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Finance. With over 12 years of experience in public service, she brings a deep passion for public engagement and a wealth of expertise in Ontario’s tax laws and programs to her role. Stephanie specializes in Estate Administration Tax, providing clear and informed guidance to help Ontarians fulfill their obligations during significant life transitions.
Leon Barnes is a Program Advisory Specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Finance, with expertise in multiple tax laws, including Employer Health Tax and Land Transfer Tax. Known for his contagious optimism, Leon brings clarity and enthusiasm to his work, helping clients and colleagues alike better understand Ontario’s tax system.
Stay tuned for 2025 OFSA Education coming soon!
There are 3 ways to earn your education credits:
- Pay as you go throughout the year: $49.95 for each 1-hour webinar session
- Become an Associate (individual) Member: $195 Jan – December (owners of funeral home are not eligible for this membership)
- Purchase a 6-hour package: $295
GATEKEEPER
OCT 16, 2024Category A - 1 cec Presenter: Steve Chapelle
Authentication Passwords
- 2-Factor Authentication
- Additional methods
Hazards
- Phishing Email
- Spear phishing
- Public Wi-Fi
Finance
- E-Transfers
- Online purchases
- Cryptocurrency
Popular Diet Trends – Healthy or Hype?
Jan 8, 2025: 1pm -2pm
Category B - 1 cec
Summary of the session.
Have you tried any of the latest diet trends? With a variety to choose from—vegan, ketogenic, paleo, intermittent fasting, gluten-free, and low-FODMAP–-how do you know which is right for you (if any)? The new diets challenge previously accepted notions about nutrition by suggesting that fat is not the enemy or that fiber-rich foods may not suit everyone. This session cuts through the noise by outlining the pros and cons of each diet and describing the most current research in support of (or against) each.
Presenter Lisa Tsakos B.A., R.H.N.
Lisa Tsakos is a nationally recognized nutritionist and educator specializing in weight management and corporate nutrition programs. In 2016, Lisa was the very proud recipient of CSNN’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
tissue donation: transplantation through the eyes of a cornea recipient
OCT 30, 2024Category A - 1 cec
Partners in Service: Elevating Relationships Between Funeral Providers and Crematoriums
Feb 26, 2025: 1pm - 2pm
Category A - 1 cec
Summary of the session.
This presentation will clarify the roles and responsibilities of funeral providers and crematoriums. By defining these roles, we aim to reduce friction and foster a collaborative environment that respects each business’s requirements and regulations. The session will also explain the daily operational challenges crematoriums face and how understanding these challenges will help both parties offer better service to families. We will highlight how effective communication and mutual respect can enhance cooperation, address frequent sources of friction, and propose strategies to overcome these challenges.
Presenter Aaron L. McDonald, CEO, Southwest Crematoriums Ltd.
Aaron has been a licensed Funeral Director since 2000, bringing over two decades of experience to the funeral service industry. Aaron has worked in both large and small centers, gaining a comprehensive understanding of diverse community needs. His extensive travels throughout Ontario as a representative with the Dodge Company Canada and Victoriaville & Co have provided him with invaluable insights and connections. In 2022, Aaron assumed the CEO role at Southwest Crematoriums Ltd, where he continues to lead with dedication and expertise, committed to offering dignified and compassionate cremation services.
Women’s Health
March 5, 2025: 1pm-2pm
Category B - 1 cec
Summary of the session.
This seminar explores a whole-body approach to some of the top women’s health topics:
- Estrogen dominance: managing hormonal shifts and imbalances
- Bone health: maintain your bone density
- Heart health: rates of heart disease in women have been on the rise
With nutrition, supplement, fitness, and lifestyle recommendations, you’ll understand how best to support your body and mind in a happy, healthy way as you navigate the often-confusing map of women’s health.
Presenter: Dr. Stephanie Fairborn, ND
Dr. Stephanie works with her patients to optimize their health by providing them with the tools and education necessary to make the best decisions for themselves, their family, and their community.
With a special interest in women’s health, stress management, as well as digestive concerns, she works with patients to achieve optimal health by offering individualized treatment plans to maximize overall well-being.
As a mom, Dr. Stephanie is very invested in working with patients who are trying to find balance in their day-to-day and manage stress levels
Cyber Security
March 26, 2025: 1pm-2pm
Category A - 1 cec
Summary of the session.
BrokerLink/ Boxx Insurance
Details to follow…
Current Embalming Techniques
May 7, 2025: 1pm -2pm
Category A - 1 cec
Summary of this session:
Have you ever wanted to embalm with someone with much more experience than you? Have you ever wanted to send your trainee to some exotic seminar? Here is your chance! Explore embalming with Jeffrey Chancellor, CFSP and virtually embalm and re-embalm cases from the average case to today’s most difficult cases. Take away practical solutions that are easy to follow, do not break the bank and produce excellent, predictable, and reliable outcomes in care.
The goal of this presentation is to educate, entertain, and empower funeral professionals to understand better the effect of cutting-edge healthcare treatments on embalming and the clinical care process from a quality outcome, health, and safety, environmental, business, cultural, and client family perspective while answering questions of all kinds.
Presenter:
Jeff Chancellor, CFSP
H.S. Eckels & Company
Jeff serves as Director of Education, Training and Research for HS Eckels & Company. Jeff is a qualified embalmer, funeral director, crematory operator and celebrant. Jeff graduated first in his class from the Alberta School of Mortuary Science in 1989 and his career experience includes pre-need sales, managing a high volume mortuary, instructing at Mount Royal College in Calgary, Canada and the Pacific Center for Advanced Studies in Cebu, Philippines, as an embalming lecturer and demonstrator, as an international disaster response team member and as a consultant to funeral service on four continents.
Funeral Professional Peer Support
May 14, 2025 @ 1:00 PM
Category B - 1 CEC
Summary
Participants will be introduced the mission, values and aims of Funeral Professional Peer Support as helpful way of providing mental health support to those who work in the funeral services profession. The presentation will cover the available services for any person working in the Funeral Services Profession, including other allied helping services that involve death care. FPPS is a not for profit service aimed at increasing knowledge and mental health awareness among the funeral services profession. We currently support FSP’s in Canada, the USA and in Kenya. For funeral home whose mental health or wellness programs are limited because of costs or lack of resources, FPPS can help provide another buffer against the stress and impact of death and grief labor. Join two of our members of the Management Team and Board of Directors as they open a dialogue about peer support services and other initiatives FPPS is bringing to the members of the funeral services profession
Presenters
Dwight Thompson, MSW RSW RMFT-S, is a Registered Social Worker/Marriage and Family Therapist with Ottawa Psychotherapy Services, Ottawa, ON. He works as a board member with FPPS. Dwight was formerly licensed as a funeral director in Nova Scotia and Ontario. He is the Director of Veterans Services, and manager of the Funeral Service Professional Mental Health Program through Ottawa Psychotherapy Services.
Children, the Forgotten Mourners; What funeral directors need to know
May 21, 2025 @ 1:00 PM
Category a - 1 CEC
Summary
Children are often not given the same level of support or understanding during the mourning process as adults receive. Though adults have good intentions of protecting children from the pain of loss, they often do more harm than good. Even when adults include children, they usually don’t understand how to talk to or listen to children about what they need. Discover what children at different developmental levels understand and need when grieving and what you can do to ensure children are included in the funeral or memorial planning process.
Presenter: Marc Markell, PhD
Marc Markell is a professor emeritus from St. Cloud State University. He teaches at Worsham College of Mortuary Science and Edgewood College with his sister, Katie. He also teaches Our Whole Lives for K-1st and 4-5th graders and Death Education to 2 and 3rd graders and 6th and 7th graders at Mayflower United Church of Christ. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in Educational Psychology. He is a certified Professional Development Specialist, Thanatologist, and Death and Grief Studies. Marc has earned certifications: End of Life Doula, Crematory Operator, Funeral Arranger, and Celebrant.
Additional Continuing Education will be added for the year. If you are interested in exploring membership visit: