Webinar: Sowing Trust: Harvesting the Benefits of Authentic Consumer Engagement
Virtual Event
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
iCalendar
Central Standard Time
NFDA Webinar (1 CE Hour)
Free for Members
All times are U.S. Central Time
In an era of increasing consumer engagement, the funeral industry has an electrifying opportunity to redefine its role in society. By providing transparent, informative, and “non-salesy” death education, funeral professionals can build trust, foster long-term relationships, and ultimately serve their communities better. This session will explore the real, measurable financial benefits of empowering consumers with authentic, enriching educational content (online and in-person) about end-of-life planning, the value of the funeral, and what legacy really means.
Key Takeaways
1. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of modern consumer expectations regarding death care, including transparency, personalization, and a deeper willingness to explore unique funeral expenses.
2. Participants will develop effective communication strategies for discussing sensitive topics with families, emphasizing empathy, active listening, and a focus on meeting individual needs while attending to institutional targets.
3. Participants will learn how to create and deliver engaging educational content that addresses consumer activities, builds trust, and positions the funeral home as a valuable community resource.
Presenter
Christa Ovenell is a faculty member at Rhodes Wellness College, funeral director and embalmer, and end-of-life doula. Her heartfelt, practical approach to difficult topics brings life to conversations about death. Christa was a monthly columnist on CBC’s North by Northwest, where she brought her signature warmth to all manner of discussions about end-of-life matters.
Approved for 1 CE hour by APFSP and by most state and province licensing boards.