Continuing Education |
VFDA is pleased to offer continuing education courses for VFDA Members and Non-Members.Questions? Please contact VFDA at communications@vfda.net |

Wilbert Funeral Services supports funeral professionals seeking CEU hours with our complimentary online program, WilbertEDU. Biweekly webinars occur on Thursday at 1:00 PM Central. Register to attend scheduled webinars or sign-up to receive WilbertEDU announcements
January 2026January 22 Back to Basics 101 This webinar is designed to build confidence in the prep room and reinforce the value of open-casket viewing. Michelle will present step-by-step techniques for disinfecting, preserving, and restoring remains affected by mild trauma, burns, and decomposition. Attendees will learn practical approaches to soft-tissue repair, waxing, and airbrush cosmetics. Whether you're new to embalming or experienced, you'll leave with useful skills, renewed confidence, and Michelle's guiding message: "Something is possible if you're willing to try." * This is a two hour webinar. Attendees must be in session a minimum of 100 minutes to receive continuing education credit. | February 2026February 5 Compassion Without Collapse: How Funeral Professionals Can Avoid Burnout As funeral professionals, you carry emotional, physical, and organizational responsibilities that can take a profound toll. This webinar addresses the unique factors that contribute to burnout in funeral service, how it affects your work and well-being, and offers realistic, actionable strategies to reduce stress, strengthen resilience, and cultivate a healthier, more supportive workplace.
February 19 For the Answer is in the Numbers This webinar takes a data-driven look at the current state of cremation in the United States, including how the pandemic influenced cremation growth and death rates in 2024. Barbara Kemmis will examine national trends, regional variations, and insights from CANA's Milestone Project, including the Cremation Growth "Speedometer" and the influence of Roaming vs. Rooted communities. Participants will also review findings from recent qualitative research on the cremation experience, comparing professional perspectives with the lived experiences of grieving families. Attendees will leave with practical takeaways on how to base business decisions on real data, understand where their funeral home sits on the cremation continuum, and re-evaluate personal and professional assumptions about families who choose cremation.
| March 2026March 19 The Cremation of Sam McGee: A Profile of the Modern Cremation Consumer This engaging presentation uses the character of Sam McGee to illustrate the attitudes, expectations, and behaviors of today's cremation consumer. Through a modern profile of who this consumer is, what they value, when and where funeral professionals are most likely to encounter them, and why they can be difficult to reach, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to serve this growing segment with relevance and compassion. The session offers practical strategies to connect with, communicate to, and meet the needs of the 21st-century cremation family.
|
April 2026April 2 The Critical Importance of Preneed on the Future of Deathcare The importance of funeral home culture in building successful community relationships
April 16 AI for the Modern Funeral Professional: Myths, Mechanics and Practical Magic Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it is rapidly rewriting the rules of business, communication, and search. But what does it mean for a funeral home or cemetery? In this practical, hype-free session, Ken Moore breaks down exactly how AI is reshaping most industries today and how the deathcare profession might benefit from these emerging opportunities. From automating office tasks and staff training to understanding how "AI Search" is leveling the playing field between small providers and large consolidators, this course provides a roadmap for using technology to enhance—not replace—the human touch.
| May 2026May 14 The importance of funeral home culture in building successful community relationships This webinar explores how artificial intelligence can support funeral service professionals by handling routine communication tasks such as website inquiries, phone calls, and text messages, allowing staff to focus on providing compassionate, in-person care to families. Participants will learn about practical AI applications across key touchpoints, ethical considerations specific to death care, and how technology can reduce staff overload while improving response times and consistency. The session emphasizes AI as a tool to enhance human presence and care, not replace it, with discussion of implementation considerations and optional pathways for organizations interested in exploring these solutions.
| June 2026June 11 Alternative Treatments (When Standard Embalming is not Chosen) In this presentation embalming and different alternatives to traditional embalming are discussed to allow for final viewings or services.
|
July 2026July 9 Engaging with Hospice: A Natural Alliance with Funeral Service As more families select hospice as a choice in end-of-life care, it is critical that funeral service professionals develop strong relationships with local hospices as a potential source of referrals. In this webinar, we explore the history and philosophy of hospice care in the United States and offer suggestions on ways that funeral service can build strong relationships with the hospices within their communities. | August 2026 | September 2026 |