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Funeral directors are expected to be calm, composed, and endlessly compassionate — but carrying others through their darkest moments comes at a steep personal cost. Behind the professionalism lies a growing mental health crisis in funeral service that can no longer be overlooked. Data That Demands Attention 50% of U.S. funeral directors showed signs of PTSD during the pandemic — three times higher than the general population (AIJR). In Canada, 1 in 3 reported symptoms of anxiety and depression (PMC). 61% of U.S. funeral professionals rated their recent mental health as poor (PubMed). These aren’t just numbers — they represent real people quietly breaking under the weight of constant emotional strain. What’s Fueling the Crisis? Emotional Labor: Continuously supporting grieving families while suppressing personal emotions leads to emotional exhaustion. Long, Unpredictable Hours: On-call nights, weekends, and holidays plus disrupted sleep wear down resilience over time. Isolation: Even while working with people, many professionals feel alone. 7 Ways to Support Mental Health in Funeral Service 1. Acknowledge the Emotional Toll Compassion fatigue is a very real consequence of this work. Recognizing its impact is the first step toward protecting mental health. 2. Set Healthy Emotional Boundaries It's easy to internalize the grief of others. Techniques like post-service debriefing or symbolic rituals — stepping outside, washing hands — can create emotional separation and help prevent overload. 3. Create a Culture of Support A supportive workplace doesn’t require grand gestures. Casual conversations, shared hobbies, laughter, and small acts of kindness — like stepping in for an overwhelmed colleague or having a therapy dog in the office — all build emotional safety and community. 4. Encourage Time Off and Rest Regular breaks are essential. Without time away, the risk of physical and emotional burnout increases. Rest isn't a luxury — it's a necessity for long-term sustainability. 5. Promote Access to Mental Health Resources Funeral directors deserve care, too. Make counseling, therapy apps, and Employee Assistance Programs visible, accessible, and stigma-free. 6. Recognize the Signs of Burnout Early Fatigue, irritability, detachment, or dread are warning signs. Spotting and addressing them early helps prevent long-term damage. 7. Provide Grief and Trauma Training Education around grief responses and trauma helps funeral professionals support others without becoming emotionally overwhelmed themselves. Trauma-informed care and compassion fatigue training should be standard practice. Moving Forward: Carry the Carriers One funeral director put it simply: If you never take breaks, eventually your body breaks down and forces you to. Mental health support isn’t optional — it’s vital. Let’s make space for the healing of those who spend their lives helping others heal.

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Anthem Partners, a leading operator of funeral homes and cemeteries throughout North America, is excited to announce the company has recently developed a strategic partnership with Tribute Technology, a leader in digital solutions for the funeral profession. As the first step in this partnership, all websites for the Anthem Partners’ locations have been updated and moved to the Tribute Technology platform.

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We were flooded with questions during and after our recent Tribute Technology webinar, “ Why Obituaries Should Be Your #1 Focus This Year. ” The session explored a powerful shift in how obituary pages can drive long-term value—and introduced a new opportunity: Tribute Technology’s partnership with Chptr , a company that broadcasts death notices on local TV as part of nightly news segments. Joining us live was Chptr’s Founder and CEO, Rehan Choudhry , who helped funeral professionals understand how this partnership—and the new Tribute Spotlights offering—can strengthen their brand, serve families better, and reconnect with their communities in a meaningful way. If you missed the webinar, you can watch it here . We’ve also rounded up the top questions from attendees—along with expert answers—to help you quickly get up to speed. 1. Can Tribute Spotlights video announcements be shared on our funeral home’s YouTube channel? Absolutely. Both the funeral home and the family receive the finished video, which means you can post it to YouTube, add it to your website, or share it across your social media channels. It’s an easy, shareable way to extend the obituary’s reach. 2. Are some funeral homes paying for the service themselves to grow market share? Yes—and they’re seeing it as a smart investment. Many funeral homes are covering the cost of Tribute Spotlights to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. It’s an added-value service that leaves a lasting impression with families and builds long-term brand recognition in the community. 3. Is it broadcast over-the-air (OTA) and on linear TV? Yes, in most markets. Death announcements air on both: Over-the-air (OTA) : Free, local channels accessible via antenna Linear TV : Scheduled programming via cable or satellite This dual approach ensures maximum exposure, especially for audiences that may not use streaming platforms. 4. Are Tribute Spotlights videos only on-air, or are they also online? Both. Announcements are featured during designated TV broadcast times and published on the station’s memorials webpage, offering families and communities multiple ways to engage. 5. How long are the videos? Each segment is 30 seconds , with individual obituaries typically receiving 3–5 seconds per airing. 6. Does Tribute Spotlights work with CFS websites or only Tribute sites? Tribute Spotlights integrate with all website platforms—including CFS —so you don’t need to change your provider to take advantage of this service. 7. How do families know when and where to watch the broadcast? Each participating market has set channels and air times. Your funeral home will receive all the relevant details, so you can easily pass them along to the families you serve. 8. If we have multiple obituaries, do they split the 30-second segment? Yes. If you submit four obituaries, for example, each typically receives around 7 seconds . In some markets, your funeral home may even qualify for exclusive broadcast segments. 9. Who owns the obituary video? You and the family do. Both parties receive copies with full rights to use, post, or share the video however they’d like. 10. Does each announcement get a full 30 seconds? No, but frequency matters. Each announcement usually gets 3–5 seconds , and they’re aired multiple times —often 10 or more—to maximize reach and visibility. 11. Can we get reporting from the local station? Yes. Tribute Spotlights and Chptr provide pre- and post-airing reports with full analytics, so you can track performance, exposure, and community impact. 12. What’s the average cost per TV spot? Thanks to Tribute Technology’s negotiated pricing , the full announcement package—which includes TV broadcast, video production, and social media distribution—is just $225 on average. Volume discounts are available for funeral homes bundling multiple announcements. Ready to Learn More? Tribute Spotlights is a unique and affordable way to elevate the services you offer while helping families feel honored, seen, and remembered. Whether you're interested in expanding your reach, enhancing your brand, or simply offering something new and meaningful, this tool was designed with your funeral home in mind. Have more questions? We’re always here to help.

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