CFSP - Certified Funeral Service Practitioner

In the Spring of 2006, Robin Heppell, CFSP, was awarded the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (www.apfsp.com). Heppell is the first recipient of this designation in Western Canada.

A number of professionals grant special recognition to members upon completion of specified academic and professional programs and the "CFSP" is funeral service's national individual recognition. The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, since its 1976 founding, has had as its goals:

• to recognize those practitioners who have voluntarily entered into a program of personal and professional growth
• to raise and improve the standards of funeral service
• to encourage practitioners to make continuing education a life-long process in their own self-interest, the interest of the families they serve, and the community in which they serve

To initially receive this award, the practitioner must complete a 180 hour program of continuing education activities and events. In addition, the practitioner is required to accumulate 20 hours per year to recertify. Credits are awarded by the Academy for work leading to personal and / or professional growth in four areas:

• Academic Activities
• Professional Activities
• Career Review (for retroactive credit)
• Community and Civic Activities