Wednesday, April 30

9:15am-10:30am – Hennepin Ballroom
More Than a Job: The Grief and Grace of Funeral Professionals
Presented by Kelly Grosklags, LICSW, BCD, FAAGC, FT
1 Professional Practices CEU

As a funeral professional, you navigate the intersection of trauma, grief, and healing, guiding families through some of their most vulnerable moments. This sacred role requires unwavering support during times of profound loss. Grief therapist Kelly Grosklags, with nearly 29 years of experience working with the dying and the bereaved, deeply understands the significance of this work, as well as the critical need for intentional self-care. In this keynote, she will explore the resilience required to sustain this calling, the personal grief you carry, and the importance of nurturing yourself—not through avoidance, but by embracing vulnerability and connection.

Acknowledging the emotional toll of this work opens up space for renewal, strength, and continued compassionate service. Funeral service is more than a job—it is a calling, a privilege, and an act of profound service that deserves recognition, understanding, and support.

Join us for this powerful keynote, where we honor and uplift the essential role funeral directors play in the grieving process, while also recognizing the vital importance of embracing vulnerability as part of being human.

2:30-3:20pm – Hennepin Ballroom
Embalming a Bariatric Decedent with Complicated Edema
Presented by Lincoln Plain of Dodge
1 Body Prep CEU

This presentation will cover the following areas:
Pre-Embalming

• Pre-embalming inspection of the deceased and start determining best course of action
• Determine if you are dealing with edema compared to tissue gas
• Pre-embalming techniques with products used to start reducing swelling prior to injection
• Products to use to stabilize skin slip and other problem areas
• Choosing chemicals for injection and best process for injection

Embalming

• Setting features
• Raising vessels (restricted cervical) for injection of the body and head using different chemical mixtures
• Techniques to reduce swelling during injection process

Post-embalming

• Techniques to further reduce swelling caused by edema
• Re-treating problem areas including skin slip

Cosmetics/ Air Brush Techniques

• Preparing the skin for cosmetic application
• The use of a tissue reducer
• Bleaching to lighten bruising
• Airbrush techniques to maximize the cosmetic results
• Final presentation of the deceased (before and after)

Thank you to our Restorative Arts Keynote Sponsor:

Thursday, May 1

11:00am-11:50am – Hennepin Ballroom
The Dirt on NOR (Natural Organic Reduction)
Presented by Katey Houston of Return Home
1 Regulations & Ethics or Professional Practices / 1 Transfer Care Specialist CEU

Natural Organic Reduction (NOR), commonly known as Terramation or human composting, is reshaping the future of funeral service by offering a sustainable, environmentally conscious alternative to traditional burial and cremation. This presentation invites funeral professionals to dive deep into the process, benefits, and opportunities NOR presents.

Through open dialogue, attendees will explore the science behind Terramation, its emotional and spiritual significance for families, and how funeral homes can integrate this eco-friendly practice into their offerings. This is a space for honest questions, collaborative learning, and future-focused discussions on how NOR is influencing the evolution of deathcare. 

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