AI is Changing the Way Families Search the Web: Are You Ready?

July 10, 2025

Simple best practices to help your funeral home stay visible online 

Families aren’t finding funeral homes the way they used to. 


For the first time ever, Google’s share of traffic volume is dropping. Instead of clicking through to websites, more people are getting instant answers directly from search engines and AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Search Generative Experience — right there on the results page. 


This shift is changing how families discover businesses like yours — and it’s already reshaping what it takes to stay visible online. 


What Is GEO?  


Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a way search engines organize and share information. Instead of simply listing websites, they now pull in details, quotes, and summaries from across the internet to answer user questions. 


That means your website and content need to be clear, helpful, and structured in a way that tools like ChatGPT can easily understand. 


Real SEO Success Takes More Than Shortcuts 


While new tools and trends may seem helpful, real SEO success comes from making ongoing improvements based on data. We update our SEO strategy regularly to keep up with changes in search engine algorithms, content trends, and what drives conversions.  


This helps your website stay visible to families when they search online. 


Best Practices That Make a Real Difference 


At Tribute Technology, we’re more than a website provider. We’re a long-term partner, and we’ve built our entire system around helping funeral homes succeed in this new environment. That starts with doing the small things right: 


Fresh, local content


Updates about your staff, services, and community events help show families (and search tools) that your business is active, engaged, and relevant. 


Simple, natural language


Write the way you speak to families. AI search tools are designed to understand plain language, not jargon or “keyword stuffing.” 


Consistency everywhere


Keep your business name, hours, and service details aligned across your website, Google Business Profile, and social media. This builds trust and improves your visibility across all channels. 


Everything working together


When your website, obituaries, marketing tools, and scheduling features are all connected in one place, it’s easier to stay organized — and easier to get found online. 

 

One Home for Your Digital Presence 


You’re already doing so much for families. Managing your online presence shouldn’t be just another task on your list. 


That’s why Tribute Technology brings everything together — your website, marketing tools, social presence, and more — into one connected solution built specifically for funeral professionals. 


Our system is , backed by real people who understand your work, and supported by best practices that make it easy to stay ahead without having to do more. Tribute’s SEO strategy is continuously refined to reflect algorithm shifts, content trends, and conversion insights to help your firm gain visibility online and reach new families. 


Want to learn how a Tribute Technology website and marketing services can help you stay ahead? Let’s connect.  


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[Blountville, TN / New York, NY — December 2025 ] — Heritage Family, a leading national network of funeral homes and cemeteries, today announced the company-wide expansion of their successful partnership with Chptr, in collaboration with Tribute Technology, delivering modern video and television-based death notices and community announcements to families across all Heritage Family locations nationwide. Chptr is a media and technology platform that helps funeral homes distribute service information through trusted local television and publisher channels, extending reach within the communities they serve. Through this partnership, Heritage Family locations will be able to share service listings and death notices across local station websites, station-owned digital platforms, and affiliated publisher networks. The initiative is powered by Chptr’s national media network and integrated into Tribute Technology through Tribute Spotlights—creating a seamless workflow for funeral home teams. “For generations, local television has been one of the most trusted ways communities learn about important life events,” said Lindsay Granson, Chief Operating Officer of Heritage Family . “This partnership allows us to bring that reach back to funeral service—combining Tribute Technology’s platform with Chptr’s media network to ensure families’ announcements are seen where communities already turn for local information.” Through the integration, funeral homes using Tribute Technology can activate Tribute Spotlights , which distribute death notices and service details beyond traditional obituary pages and into trusted local media ecosystems . Chptr serves as the media and distribution layer—connecting listings to television stations and publishers across hundreds of U.S. markets—while Tribute Technology remains the core platform funeral homes already rely on. “Funeral homes deserve modern visibility without added complexity,” said Craig Greenseid, President and CEO of Tribute Technology . “By integrating Tribute Spotlights with Chptr’s broadcast network, we’re giving firms a simple, scalable way to extend their reach into local television and publisher channels—without changing how they work.” Chptr’s media network includes partnerships with major local television station groups and regional publishers, helping funeral homes reduce reliance on third-party obituary aggregators while retaining first-party ownership, local trust, and measurable reach . “For generations, families have paid significant fees simply to publish an obituary. This partnership changes that forever,” said Rehan Choudhry, CEO of Chptr . “For the first time ever, funeral homes can offer families broadcasted obituaries at no cost—ending an era of expensive print notices and replacing it with a modern, media-driven approach that reaches communities where they engage today and fundamentally modernizes how life is honored.” A nationwide rollout across funeral homes and cemeteries As part of the expansion, Heritage Family locations will gain: Television-based death notices and service listings via local station websites Distribution through trusted broadcast and publisher networks , not just aggregators Integrated activation through Tribute Spotlights , embedded in Tribute Technology’s platform Centralized reporting on reach and performance tied to media placement The partnership reflects a growing shift in funeral service toward local media visibility, platform integration, and reclaiming control of community announcements . About Heritage Family Heritage Family is a national network of funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories dedicated to honoring life through personalized, community-centered service. The organization operates more than 130 locations across 11 states. About Tribute Technology Tribute Technology is a leading provider of software and digital solutions for funeral homes, helping firms streamline operations, support families, and deliver meaningful memorial experiences. Tribute Spotlights extends Tribute Technology’s platform into broader community and media distribution. About Chptr Chptr is a media and technology platform connecting funeral homes with local television stations and publishers to power modern death notices, service listings, and community announcements—restoring visibility, trust, and control to the firms that serve families every day. Media Contact Jenny Knizner Head of Growth, Chptr E: jenny@chptr.com
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