Heading to Charlotte for the 2012 NFDA International Convention & Expo? Consider coming a day early and attending one of the four preconvention seminars on Saturday, October 6. The preconvention seminars offer an opportunity to learn from top experts in funeral service in a focused environment.

• CANA Crematory Operator Certification Program, presented by Michael Nicodemus of Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home/Lynnhaven Crematory in Virginia Beach, Va. With increased cremation-related litigation, a simple mistake could cost a firm hundreds of thousands of dollars. Convention attendees who own, manage or operate a crematory should understand proper operating procedures to ensure service quality and protect their business.
• NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultant Seminar, presented by Colleen Murphy Klein of NFDA in Brookfield, Wis. Promote exceptional standards in the field of advance planning by becoming a Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC).
• Celebrant Funerals: Becoming a Master of Ceremonies, presented by Glenda Stansbury of In-Sight Books in Oklahoma City, Okla. Learn what a celebrant is; how to discuss the concept with families; and how to personalize funeral services, memorial services, viewings and more.
• Embalming, Reconstructive and Airbrush Techniques, presented by Vernie Fountain of Fountain National Academy in Springfield, Mo. Learn about a wide variety of techniques that can be used to provide an open-casket viewing when severe trauma is present.

More information about these seminars, including the cost, can be found on the NFDA Convention website, www.nfda.org/charlotte2012 (click on the "Education" tab).