Behind the Doors: What Funeral Service Really Looks Like Today

Course | Registration opens 8/3/2026 8:00 AM EDT

West Campus Community Center York, PA 17403 United States
Alumni Hall
Members and nonmembers
10/9/2026 (one day)
9:00 AM-10:30 AM EDT on Mon
$20.00
Member Discount Available

Behind the Doors: What Funeral Service Really Looks Like Today

Course | Registration opens 8/3/2026 8:00 AM EDT

Funeral service is evolving, and so are the expectations of the families we serve. In this 90-minute course, Katharine and Chris will lead an open, honest discussion on the changing landscape of funeral service, from shifting traditions and consumer preferences to the growing demand for transparency and education. Drawing from real-world experience, they will share how today’s funeral professionals can adapt while still honoring the core values of care, respect, and professionalism.
This course will also explore the importance of preplanning, including how it empowers families, reduces stress during difficult times, and creates more meaningful and personalized services. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions, as this session is designed to be interactive, informative, and grounded in the realities of modern funeral service.

Katharine Wagner-Elfner

Katharine Wagner-Elfner is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and alongside her husband, she owns Wagner Elfner & Burg Funeral Home and Cremation Services and Wagner Elfner & Harkins Funeral Home & Cremation Services. She and her husband, Nate, purchased the former Burg Funeral Home in May 2023 and the former Harkins Funeral Home in Delta, PA, in August 2025.