Spotlight: Women in End of Life Professions
Barbara Kemmis
Barbara Kemmis is Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America where she promotes all things cremation through member programs, education and strategic partnerships.
“Find your people and lift each other up. Step forward, build community, and remember: even small actions, grounded in purpose, can make a huge impact.”
A Leader In End-of-Life Care
Barbara Kemmis doesn’t just lead the Cremation Association of North America—she helps shape the future of cremation itself. With more than 25 years of association leadership, Barbara brings deep expertise, sharp strategic insight, and a genuine love for connecting people.
Under her guidance, CANA has become a hub for education, research, and forward-thinking collaboration in the evolving funeral profession. Whether she’s building member programs, presenting national data trends, or partnering with leaders across the industry, Barbara shows up with curiosity, clarity, and a can-do spirit.
Her background in nonprofit management and library science gives her a unique lens: part archivist, part architect of what’s next. A frequent speaker and active board member at the National Museum of Funeral History, Barbara continues to advocate for transparency, innovation, and the growing role of cremation in how we remember and honor life.
Buried in Work Podcast
Episode 42 | Cremation Secrets: What 60% of Americans Are Choosing (and Why It Matters) with Barbara Kemmis
Get To Know Barbara
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