EASLEY — Christopher P. Robinson recently earned his Certified Crematory Operator designation from the National Funeral Directors Association.

ROBINSON

The course was held in April in Denver, and Robinson later successfully completed the written examination. The NFDA Certified Crematory Operator program is a voluntary certification program that helps funeral directors better serve the needs of families that desire cremation.

Nationally, in 2012, 43.2 percent of people who died in the United States were cremated, up from 34.2 percent in 2007. As cremation becomes an alternative means of disposition, this certification ensures that funeral home and crematory staff are properly trained to meet the needs of families that choose cremation.

NFDA’s Certified Crematory Operator Program provides participants with instruction in best practices for safe, proper and ethical crematory operations and for excellence in service to families that choose cremation. Seminars cover the topics required by state law and are designed to develop understanding skills and a broad working knowledge of proper operational procedures as well as required and prudent administrative procedures.

“With two separate crematories at our locations in Easley, it is of utmost importance that we are trained to make sure that we take care of somebody’s loved one in the most respectful and dignified manner possible,” said Robinson, a fourth-generation funeral director. “As an owner, it is my top priority that our crematories and our respective associates follow the strictest and most professional standards and guidelines from the time a loved one is taken into our care until the cremation is complete.

“This course helped me tremendously in all aspects of cremation including that we properly follow all safety and environmental standards.”

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving 19,700 individual members who represent more than 10,000 funeral homes in the United States and 39 countries around the world. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visitnfda.org.

As a family-owned business started in 1875, Robinson Funeral Home has two locations and two crematories in the Easley area. The downtown Easley location is located at 305 West Main St. The Powdersville Road Funeral Home and Crematory is located at 1425 Powdersville Road in Easley, adjacent to Robinson Memorial Gardens. Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is located in the Central-Clemson Commons off S.C. Highway 93 in Central.