Trusted Advisor Training & Certification

Program Objective:

This course introduces and reinforces best practices for every bereavement sector employee who engages with client families in arrangement meetings.

The need for exceptional customer service and care are becoming more and more apparent in our profession, and increasingly funeral and cemetery operators are recognizing how impactful it can be to invest in a program that enables their team to feel equipped to deliver exceptional client care in the arrangement process.

The Trusted Advisor Certification Program is a one day training program which is proven to engage professional team members by invigorating and energizing their passion in unique and innovative ways. It’s designed for funeral and cemetery professionals, in both at-need and pre-need settings.

Feedback from the sessions is always positive and operators and participants share how impactful the training was.

Registration Fees (includes Trusted Advisor Workbook and access to certification exam)

Any Location

Member - $995.00
Non- Member - $1,295.00
Student Member Rate - $495.00

Session Dates and Locations:

About Codi Shewan

Codi is the President & Founder of EverLearn Associates, a full service, comprehensive management consulting firm, for the funeral and cemetery profession – aimed at engaging and building dynamic teams and successful businesses. Operating across North America, EverLearn Associates is known for aligning closely with clients to provide tailored solutions, which overcome their operational challenges and align their business goals with success. Working with some of the profession's finest operators, EverLearn Associates focuses on the tenet of ‘People first; always.’ and has enveloped that philosophy in all of our consulting lines of business; HR, marketing, business strategy and digital solutions.

In 2020, he became the best-selling author of the critically acclaimed, Everyday Legacy: Lessons For Living With Purpose, Right Now. His passion for empowering others to see the best in themselves and to redefine their legacy - from something they leave to something they personify personally and professionally, every day - is the driving force behind his work!


2023 Sessions

FAQ

• Is this sales training that encourages upselling?
  • No, this training is designed to ensure that arrangers understand, evaluate, and apply solutions that meet the families specific and unique needs.
• Does this training focus significantly on overcoming objections?
  • No, but objections are a natural component of the arrangement process.  This training helps to reframe the perspective from which a family may be seeing things and equips the arranger with tools to help them manage the conversation effectively.
• Can I get all of my CECs (Continuing Education Credits) at once, in one day, at this training?
  • Yes!  All attendees will receive an attendance certificate for a full 8 hrs or continuing education.
• Do I have to be a funeral professional to take this program?
  • No!  This program is designed for all participants who meet with families in any capacity; funeral and cemetery alike!
• Do I have to be newer to the profession to benefit from this training?
  • Absolutely not!  This program has been thoughtfully created to provide relevant and implementable tools for all levels of experience.
• What can I expect during the day?
  • The easy answer may be what this training is not.  It’s not you coming to listen to a trainer talk for the entire day.  Instead, participants are immersed in the training and will be engaged with each other and workshop components.  The training will be energizing, fun, and relevant.
• What resources are provided and what do I need to bring?
  • You bring the energy, and we’ll provide thoughtful programming and a workbook for your future reference.  All material covered on the certification exam will be found in your workbook.

Participants are encouraged to bring along a pen, pad of paper, laptop/tablet, etc. Examples of objections you have faced in the past would also be beneficial.

• Is lunch provided?
  • Yes!  Please ensure to communicate any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.
• What if things at work get busy and I can’t make it?
  • We know this happens all the time, so registrants can transfer their seat to another Trusted Advisor Training session offered at a different date or location, without penalty or charge (travel costs will apply).  Or, you can transfer your seat to another individual from your company. Refunds are not available.
• Should I travel to the area of the training the evening beforehand?
  • That depends on where you’re coming from.  We get started bright and early at 8 a.m. sharp, and in order to receive your attendance certificate, participants must be present throughout the entire training.
• How do I receive my certification?
  • All participants will receive an attendance certificate at the end of the training day.  In order to receive your Trusted Advisor Certification all participants will be required to complete a short quiz based upon the training working book.  You will receive access to the quiz following the training and are able to complete it online.  Once you successfully complete the quiz you will be sent your Trusted Advisor certification.
• Does this certification expire?
  • After 5 years, we strongly encourage participants to enroll in an available session in order to re-certify. The program has evolved over many years, and will continue to do so, just as the arrangement process does.
• If I’m a funeral or cemetery professional from outside of Ontario, will this qualify towards the required CE hours where I’m from?
  • Please check with your regulator as to whether or not you’re able to apply the hours from this program to your licensure requirement.
• Is this training for those who are dedicated arrangers or anyone in the profession?
  • This program is designed for anyone who interacts with families, although its primary purpose is for those who arrange services/product selection in any capacity, be it their primary role or otherwise.
• What experience does the trainer have?
  • Codi Shewan has been an Ontario licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience to the table.  Notably, his experience spans many spectrums of the profession from corporate to independent, from small community to large, and nationally from coast to coast.  In 2014, he leapt from a corporate senior leadership position to launch his own company, EverLearn Associates, a full-service management consultancy built for the funeral and cemetery profession.  He has and continues to serve as the president of College Boreal’s Professional Funeral Service Advisory Board for the last decade and is the past-president of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
• Is the certification cost included in the registration fee?
  • It is, yes!  There are no additional costs to the registration fee, other than travel related costs should you so choose.
• Is this program offered virtually?
  • The experience has been designed to be immersive and experiential, which sadly won’t translate in a virtual environment.  However, the locations of the training were carefully selected to ensure that we broadly covered all regions of the province, to ensure accessibility.
• What is the dress code?
  • We encourage participants to dress in business casual attire, and given that training spaces are often cool, please bring along a sweater or shawl to ensure you’re comfortable.
• Will I have a chance to network?
  • You sure will!  Participants will be engaged with one another throughout the training.
• Can this program be offered to one team or organization, independently?
  • Absolutely, it can, and it has.  Please contact Darren Denomme at info@OACFP.com or 888-558-3335 directly to discuss how we can make this happen.
• I require some form of accommodation.  Is this possible?
  • We want to make sure that we do whatever we can to support the success of your participation.  Please reach out to us in advance to discuss your specific needs.
• I’m a pre-need professional.  Does this program help me?
  • Yes.  This program is entirely relevant for you and your role.  We’ve had many pre-need professionals take the training and have been valuable participants.
• Is Registration limited to a maximum number of attendees?
  • Yes.  In order to achieve the maximum benefit from this in-person training we have limited each session to 45 individuals.