CREMATION EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

The following is a list of cremation education programs Larry is involved in (writing or reviewing curriculum, serving as faculty, or otherwise).

  • CANA Crematory Operator Certification, Curriculum Development, Lead Faculty

  • ICCFA Cremation Arranger Training, Curriculum Development, Faculty

  • ICCFA Crematory Operator Training, Curriculum Development, Faculty

  • ICCFA University, Curriculum Development, Faculty

  • Canadian College of Funeral Service, Crematorium Apprenticeship Program, Faculty, Curriculum development

  • Kansas Funeral Directors Association Crematory Operator Certification Program, Curriculum Development, Instructor

  • Saskatchewan Crematoria Council, Curriculum Development, Educational Collateral, Instructor

  • Community College of Baltimore County with Maryland State Funeral Directors Association, Crematory Operator Certification Curriculum Development, Instructor

  • Western Canada Cemetery Association, Curriculum Development, Instructor

  • British Columbia Funeral Association, Curriculum Development, Instructor

  • Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals, Instructor, Educational Collateral

  • Ontario Funeral Service Association, Curriculum Development, Education Collateral, Instructor

  • Atlantic Provinces Funeral Directors and Service Convention
    Curriculum Development, Education Collateral, Instructor

  • Canadian School of Advanced PREP, Instructor, Curriculum Development, Educational Collateral

PUBLICATIONS

The following is a list of publications in which Larry has authored, contributed, written an article, essay, or other editorial piece.

  • American Funeral Director Magazine

  • American Cemetery Magazine

  • Funeral Service Insider (a publication of Kates Boylston Publishing)

  • The Cremationist (publication of the Cremation Association of North America)

  • The Funeral Chronicle

  • ICCFA Magazine (publication of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association

  • Southern Funeral Director Magazine

  • The Complete Cremation Handbook, Published by Kates Boylston Publishing and Sponsored by CANA

  • The Australian Funeral Director Magazine

  • Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association Newsletter

  • The Dodge Magazine

AUTHOR

Tempero Ignis - For the Modern Cremationist

Larry Stuart, Jr.
Architect of Operational Excellence in Deathcare

Throughout a career spanning more than thirty years, Larry Stuart, Jr. has operated at the intersection of cremation equipment manufacturing, operational excellence, and visionary leadership within the deathcare profession. As the Founder and Principal of Raven Plume Consulting, his mission is to fundamentally change the way the public and the profession think about funeral service through transparency and process-driven success.

The Executive Foundation
From the Factory Floor to the C-Suite

Before launching his consulting firms, Larry spent over 20 years building and leading a premier manufacturer of advanced cremation equipment—Crematory Manufacturing & Service, Inc., a company he co-founded with his father, Larry Stuart, Sr. Serving as President and CEO, he gained a "ground-up" mastery of the industry, managing every facet of a multimillion-dollar global manufacturing, service, and repair enterprise. His experience includes overseeing full financial stewardship, global supply chain logistics, and the complex human capital needs of international field service teams.

  • This deep manufacturing background allows Larry to offer a level of consulting focused on transforming complex, often "mysterious" operations into transparent, scalable systems. He specializes in developing comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that move institutional knowledge out of the minds of individuals and into documented systems. His "people-proofing" methodology ensures consistency, safety, and higher profits for funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories alike.

  • Larry Stuart, Jr. is not just an expert; he is a storyteller and a catalyst for professional evolution. As a renowned keynote speaker, he has graced the stages of nearly every major industry convention across North America and beyond. His presentations go far beyond technical data; they are designed to challenge the status quo and inspire a new era of professional pride and transparency.

    • Global Educator: Larry serves as a lead educator for the industry's most influential associations, including CANA and ICCFA.

    • Standard-Setter: He has conducted Crematory Operator Training classes across North America and beyond with a mission to advance the safety and efficiency of facilities and their employees.

    • Provocative Thought Leadership: Known for his "Glass House" philosophy, Larry’s keynotes encourage the profession to move from a mindset of "disposal" to one of "continuity and legacy."

    • Bridging the Gap: He possesses the unique ability to speak with the erudition of an industry leader and the practical humility of a practitioner who knows the "boiler room" as well as the boardroom.

  • In the legal arena, Larry is a sought-after expert for litigation and regulatory matters. He has contributed to the development of model laws, and reviewed proposed legislative changes on behalf of industry practitioner organizations. He provides meticulous auditing of chain-of-custody protocols and crematory records, for both clients, and counsel serving as an expert witness who can identify the "transparency gaps" that lead to operational failure. His focus remains steadfast on proof, precision, and the protection of the family’s trust.

  • Larry is a graduate of Kent State University and a Certified Celebrant (The Insight Institute). His commitment to the profession is reflected in his extensive leadership history:

    • Cremation Association of North America (CANA): Former member of the Board of Directors and Editor in Chief of The Cremationist magazine.

    • National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA): Past member of the Exhibitor Advisory Committee and former Trustee and President of the Executive Board of the NFDA Heritage Club.

    • International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA): Serving as an official Cremation Coach.

In summary, Larry’s work is backed by more than three decades of hands-on experience. He elevates the sacred profession of deathcare through rigorous standards, mechanical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the dignity of the families served.

Featured in:

American Cemetery & Cremation Magazine

Funeral Vision

The Direct Cremation Podcast

PRESENTATIONS

The following is a list of associations or organizations for which Larry has presented.

  • National Funeral Directors Association

  • Cremation Association of North America

  • International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association

  • Funeral Service Association of Canada

  • Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals

  • Ontario Funeral Service Association

  • Manitoba Funeral Service Association

  • Alberta Funeral Service Association

  • Western Canada Cemetery Association

  • Crematoria Council of Saskatchewan

  • Funeral Service Association of British Columbia

  • Atlantic Provinces Funeral Directors and Service Convention

  • Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors

  • Kansas Funeral Directors Association

  • New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association

  • Maine Funeral Directors Association

  • Maryland State Funeral Directors Association

  • Arizona Funeral Cemetery & Cremation Association

  • Independent Funeral Directors of Virginia

  • Iowa Funeral Directors Association

  • Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association

  • Hawaii Funeral & Cemetery Association

  • New York State Association of Cemeteries

  • Texas Cemetery and Crematory Association

  • Wilbert EDU

  • Kates Boylston Publications (Publishers of American Funeral Director Magazine and American Cemetery & Cremation Magazine)

  • Stewart Enterprises

  • Mid-America College of Funeral Service

  • Dallas Institute of Funeral Service

  • Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service

  • Kansas City Community College

  • Worsham College of Mortuary Science

  • University of Central Oklahoma Mortuary Science Program

  • The British Institute of Embalmers, NAD

  • The Dodge Company Sunshine Seminars

RESOURCE CONTRIBUTOR

Fires of Change: A Comprehensive Examination of Cremation
by John B. Fritch, Ph.D. and J. Chandler Altieri, Ed.D.

The National Funeral Directors Association Certified Crematory Operator classroom manual

Model Cremation Law
Cremation Association of North America