The Digital Shift: How Tech is Reshaping Deathcare — And What It Means for You

April 8, 2025

Equipping your business for today’s tech-driven families 

If you’ve been in funeral service for more than a few years, you’ve witnessed it: the sudden, sweeping shift from paper and in-person everything… to online planning, livestreamed services, AI-written obituaries, and so much more. 


How could things have changed so quickly? Because if you stop to think about it... 


Livestreaming only became widely adopted around 2020, when the pandemic made it a necessity. Before that, a handful of firms were experimenting with video—but it was far from standard. 


AI obituaries? They didn’t even exist five years ago. By 2023, tools like our own Tribute Obituary Writer began emerging to help write obituaries and streamline planning with AI assistance. 


Now, in 2025, technology is touching every part of the profession. 


Why the Shift Matters 


Today’s families expect convenience, personalization, and digital access—because that’s what they’re used to in every other part of life. 


In fact, 62% of respondents in a consumer survey said the very first thing they would do, if they had to plan a funeral, is look at funeral products and prices online—if those were available. 


For funeral homes, this shift brings both a challenge and an opportunity. 


  • The challenge: Keeping up with evolving tech without losing the human touch. 
  • The opportunity: Using smart, connected tools to save time, simplify operations, and create more meaningful experiences for the families you serve. 



The key isn’t just adopting technology—it’s choosing tools that make your day-to-day easier, not more complicated. 


Explore the Digital Shift at Trend ReCON 2025 


We’re diving deeper into this topic at Trend ReCON 2025, happening June 2–3 in Nashville


You’ll hear directly from funeral professionals, tech innovators, and marketing experts who are leading this transformation every day. They’ll share what’s working, what to avoid, and how to confidently guide your firm into the future—on your terms. 


Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and reimagine what’s possible. 


Learn More & Register
January 30, 2026
A 20-minute on-demand webinar sharing five real ways a funeral director saves time with case management software—plus what to expect from systems in 2026.
January 23, 2026
Get fast answers with the Tribute Knowledge Base—articles, videos, and guides for Tribute Websites, Management Software, and more, available anytime.
January 22, 2026
Meet Ellie Andrews, Digital Marketing Specialist at Tribute Technology, as she shares her journey into the funeral profession and passion for supporting families.
January 21, 2026
Tribute Technology integrates Chptr into its platform, giving 9,000+ funeral homes seamless access to broadcast memorials through local TV and digital news.
January 15, 2026
Move your firm forward with expert insight and conversations with others who understand the work.
January 13, 2026
Update pricing in Tribute Management Software with ease. Learn how to edit GPLs, use CSV uploads for bulk changes, and avoid common issues.
January 8, 2026
Discover five Tribute Management Software reports that help funeral homes stay organized, track finances, and support families with clearer communication.
January 8, 2026
Blending family roots in funeral service with a passion for marketing, Hannah McCarthy shares how technology helps funeral homes better serve families.
December 30, 2025
[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
December 17, 2025
Learn how Tribute Technology and Family Shield Credit empower funeral professionals to navigate financial conversations with ease, offering families flexible, stress-reducing payment options.
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