Stop the Waste: 5 Common Money Drains at Funeral Homes (And How to Avoid Them)

February 5, 2025

Cut Costs, Increase Efficiency, and Serve Families Better 

Running a successful funeral business requires more than providing exceptional service—it also requires smart financial management. Many firms lose money in ways that can be prevented with better planning and the right tools


Here are five common financial drains and how to fix them. 


1. Staffing Inefficiencies 


Undertrained or misaligned staff can lead to wasted payroll costs and inconsistent service


Solution: Ensure your team is well-trained and efficiently utilized. MKJ Marketing’s Advance U Online University offers online courses to help staff build essential skills, reduce errors, and enhance service quality, all while increasing productivity. 


2. A Poor Website Experience 


A slow, outdated, or confusing website can frustrate families and drive them to competitors. 


Solution: Invest in a modern, mobile-friendly website with clear service information, online arrangement options, and seamless navigation. A strong online presence builds trust and makes it easier for families to connect with you. 


3. Outdated Marketing Strategies 


Traditional advertising methods can be expensive with little return on investment. 


Solution: Shift to cost-effective digital marketing, including SEO, social media, and targeted online ads, to reach more families where they’re already searching for services. 


4. Missed Preneed Opportunities 


Failing to engage families in pre-planning conversations results in lost revenue and missed business growth. 


Solution: Utilize automated follow-ups  and digital preneed tools to keep families engaged before they need services, ensuring long-term relationships and consistent revenue. 


5. Manual or Outdated Processes 


Paper-based records and outdated systems slow down operations, increase errors, and create frustration for both staff and families. 


Solution: Upgrade to modern management software that streamlines arrangements, contracts, and communication—allowing your business to run more efficiently and effectively


Eliminate Waste & Increase Profitability 


By addressing these financial drains, funeral homes can improve efficiency, increase profitability, and enhance service quality. Small adjustments in the right areas can lead to big results


Click here to get started and learn how Tribute Technology can help your business run more smoothly. 


Get Started Now
July 30, 2026
A year after integrating with Chptr, Tribute Technology customers can now reach a quarter of a billion monthly radio listeners through the same one-click workflow that already powers televised memorial announcements. WAUNAKEE, Wis. — July 30, 2026 — Tribute Technology today announced that its integration with Chptr now extends beyond local television to include radio through Chptr's expanded partnership with iHeartMedia. Already adopted by more than 100 funeral homes, the expanded integration gives funeral homes access to the television and radio audiences most likely to learn about a passing, attend a service, and support grieving families, all through the same one-click obituary workflow. One year ago, Tribute Technology embedded Chptr's broadcast memorial technology directly into its platform, making it possible for funeral homes to transform an obituary into a professionally produced television memorial announcement without leaving the system they already use every day. Today, that same integration includes nationwide radio distribution alongside television, giving funeral homes access to all 210 U.S. television markets and more than 90 percent of U.S. radio stations reaching a quarter of a billion monthly listeners, all without additional software, data entry, or training. More than 100 funeral homes have already enrolled in the new radio service, reflecting the success of Chptr's existing television integration and the continued demand for trusted broadcast memorial announcements. For funeral homes, the value of broadcast isn't simply reach. It's reaching the right audience. Adults 55 and older remain among the most loyal local television viewers, while radio reaches 87% of U.S. adults every week, more than any other single media platform. Together, television and radio continue to be among the nation's most trusted sources of local news and information, making them uniquely effective channels for community memorial announcements. "This is exactly what we look for in a partnership," said J.B. Showalter, Senior Vice President of Partnerships at Chptr. "Tribute Technology already sits inside the daily workflow of thousands of funeral homes. Bringing our production platform, media partnerships, and nationwide television and radio distribution into that same workflow means families get a meaningful new way to share the news of a passing, without asking funeral professionals to change how they already serve families." For families, the expanded integration means memorial announcements can now reach more of the people whose lives were touched through the trusted local media they already know. For funeral homes, it provides another meaningful way to serve families while reinforcing their role as a trusted community resource. "Over the last year, we've seen that families truly value having their loved one's obituary shared on local television," said ​Anthony Harris, Location Manager at Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services. "No single place reaches everyone. Some people watch the news. Others hear the local radio station on the way to work. Adding radio gives us another trusted way to help families reach more of the people who would want to know. It's another meaningful service we can provide with every arrangement." The addition of radio builds on a year of successful television distribution through the existing Tribute Technology integration. "Our responsibility is to continually strengthen the platform funeral homes depend on every day," said Craig Greenseid, CEO of Tribute Technology. "When we can bring meaningful new capabilities into that workflow without adding complexity, our customers benefit. Expanding our integration with Chptr is another example of our commitment to helping funeral professionals better serve families through the technology they already trust." The expanded integration is now available to all Tribute Technology customers. Learn more at Tribute Spotlights | TV Obituaries | Tribute Technology .  About Tribute Technology Tribute Technology is a leading provider of software and services for the death care profession, helping funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, and online publishers better serve families through connected technology. Its integrated platform simplifies operations, strengthens family engagement, and powers one of North America's largest digital obituary networks. More than 9,000 funeral homes rely on Tribute Technology solutions to support the families they serve. About Chptr Founded in 2020 and headquartered in New York, Chptr is building the distribution network for community storytelling. The company's Broadcast, Social, Video, and Slideshows offerings help funeral homes extend the reach of remembrance, connecting families with the communities that knew and cared about their loved ones. By partnering with funeral homes and media organizations, Chptr ensures life's most meaningful stories reach the people who matter most while keeping funeral professionals at the center of the experience.
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Most funeral homes know they need a marketing strategy, but figuring out where to start is another matter. In this on-demand webinar, Tribute Technology's Lacey Serrago, Marketing Agency Director, breaks down the core building blocks of a clear, actionable marketing plan built for funeral professionals.
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Stay ahead in funeral service with Tribute Technology's Tech Insider — your source for industry events, marketing strategies, tech tools, and innovations helping funeral homes serve families better.
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Tribute Technology's Trend ReCON 2026 brought funeral directors together in Nashville for two days of peer learning, real connections, and hands-on sessions.
May 19, 2026
Technology built around care. See how Tribute Technology is helping funeral homes streamline operations, write better obituaries, and extend their reach — without adding work for your staff.
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Stay up to date on the latest in funeral service technology — from a national Times Square campaign to new software partnerships, a fresh case study, and events you won't want to miss.
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Tribute Technology partners with Life Celebration to help funeral homes deliver personalized memorial products quickly, with next-day turnaround and streamlined operations.
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Discover the 10 expectations families have for funeral home websites in 2026—from modern obituaries to mobile design and online tools that build trust.
February 12, 2026
Families are planning funerals online. Learn how Tribute Technology supports NFDA’s Arranger Training to help funeral professionals adapt and serve families better.
February 5, 2026
NFDA announces Tribute Technology as a sponsor of its Arranger Training Program, supporting funeral professionals with modern, family-centered education.
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