8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Century Ballroom Foyer / Vista Terrace
Registration & Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Welcome/Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
Century Ballroom
Women at the Helm: The Future of Funeral Service
Dr. Jody Carrington, Psychologist. Speaker. Author. Game Changer.
In the history of the world, we have never been more disconnected than we are in this moment. The universal experience of grief and how we stay connected to each other, and the ones we lose, is often best facilitated by those who can keep us connected, most especially in times of our greatest pain. Having a language to facilitate the emotions of grief is where the greatest healing happens. Women, historically and in this moment, have the emotional language to "name" pivotal feelings and offer a unique leadership perspective; they are critical to leading the deathcare profession and the families served by it. Jody will invite you to sit at this table for powerful, insightful conversations as we navigate grief, mourning, and healing in this world through honest, compassionate connection.
9:45 – 10 a.m.
Break
10 – 11 a.m.
Century Ballroom
Setting Goals to Accelerate Your Success: Practical Tips for Continued Achievement
Jenn Parvin, Vice President of Marketing and Technology, Batesville
In life, we set goals to achieve things we believe will have the greatest impact – and pave the way to success. But even with the best of intentions, too often we fail to achieve them. Do you want to wake up with a clearer picture of success? Do you understand what drives and motivates you to push past your (self-imposed) limits? This session explores how the daily “to-do” list can get in the way of long-term planning and prevent you from focusing on the things that will help in meeting your goals. We’ll discuss strategies to help identify your personal roadblocks and learn how to adapt and replace lists with actionable plans for achieving your personal goals. Jenn will share tips she has implemented in her own life for creating lifelong behaviors for success.
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Vista Terrace
Funeral Service Foundation Scholarship Recognition Lunch
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Century Ballroom
Standing for Something Larger than Yourself
Annette March-Grier, RN, CFSP, Co-Founder and President of Roberta’s House
Annette R. March-Grier, a pioneer in bereavement care, tells her intriguing life story of a young girl growing up in a three-story rowhouse funeral home in Baltimore City. She will share how she witnessed things that most children never experience and how her life evolved to bring change to her community and city. Her divine calling as an adult, a mortician, and a registered nurse was no small feat. She boldly claims her childhood environment, with her compassionate parents as role models, shaped and molded her to discover her passion and find her purpose. She faced many challenges, fears, and the unknown to create a resource that did not exist in her city or state, a family grief support center that has served over 7000 children and adults. Her journey is unending and continues to bring challenges but none that she can’t face as one more opportunity to make the world a better, kinder place.
1:45 – 2:00 p.m.
Break
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Century Ballroom
Imagining the Unimaginable: Supporting Families Following the Death of a Child
Kristin James, LCPC, Executive Director, Greater Illinois Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition & Missing Pieces Child Loss Network
Betsy Hawley, MA, Executive Director, Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition
The impact of perinatal, infant, and child death reverberates broadly and deeply through communities. Funeral professionals offer a unique touchpoint of support, education, and advocacy for grieving families. From the initial point of contact and transfer of care to navigating through many difficult decisions, funeral home staff can shape the final moments and memories. Compassionate and comprehensive care that offers guidance and respects choices can create a meaningful legacy for families and their communities after the death of a child or perinatal loss. Showcasing new tools to assist bereaved families, Kristin and Betsy will share how a commitment to providing innovative, family-centered care demonstrates a funeral home’s pledge to honor the unique needs of families and recognizes the privilege and responsibility of caring for families after the death of an infant or child.
3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Century Ballroom
Wave of Voices: A Group Discussion
You’ve enjoyed a busy conference day listening and learning. Now, it’s your turn to ask the questions or make the comments that you didn’t get to share. In an informal panel discussion format, take this opportunity to visit with the day’s presenters and let your voice be heard.