The Future of Funeral Service: Honoring Innovation and Excellence

November 6, 2024

Introducing the Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Awards 

In the inaugural edition of Tribute Technology’s Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Magazine, we proudly spotlight the trailblazers who are leveraging technology as a transformative force in funeral service. These leaders are redefining how we serve families with compassion, efficiency, and creativity, leading the profession into a new era. 


As family needs evolve, the 2024 Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Award winners have distinguished themselves through groundbreaking innovations and community-driven initiatives. 


From optimizing digital experiences to fostering transparent practices, these honorees exemplify dedication and forward-thinking that elevate the family experience. 


Without further ado, here are this year’s award recipients... 


  • Leader in Community Outreach & Email Marketing 

Starlyn Aurit, Customer Experience & Marketing Director at Harrell Funeral Homes 


  • Leader in Funeral Home Website Optimization 

Andrew Jenkins, President & Funeral Director at Jenkins Funeral Chapel, Inc. 


  • Leader in Empowering Families with Technology 

Jonathan Leavitt, Owner & Funeral Director at Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory 


  • Leader in Digital-First Training for Funeral Service 

Jim Busch, Owner & President at Busch Funeral Home & Crematory Services 


  • Leaders in Funeral Home Transparency 

Ashlee Etzweiler & Shannon Etzweiler-Kapsak, Funeral Directors at Etzweiler Family Funeral Service 


  • Leader in Integrated Technology Systems 

David Lee Hernandez Jr., Founder & CEO at Jersey Memorial Group 


  • Leaders In Tech Enhanced Family Support

Jimmy Altmeyer Jr., President of Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory and Founder of Treasured Memories, and John Butler, Digital Strategy for Treasured Memories  


  • Leader in Redefining Funeral Home & Cemetery Marketing

Bob Gordon, President & CEO at Cypress Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park


Celebrate Their Success: Download the Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Magazine 


Explore in-depth stories on each winner and their innovative approaches that are setting new industry standards. Download the first issue of Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Magazine to see how these leaders are shaping the future of funeral service. 


Download Your Copy Here
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Obit360
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 24, 2025 Contact For Further Information: Tribute Technology 315 Raemisch Rd., Ste G Waunakee, WI, 53597 press@tributetech.com Tribute Technology Announces Obit360: A Reimagined Obituary Experience for the Digital Age WAUNAKEE, WI – Tribute Technology has announced the upcoming launch of Obit360 , a next-generation obituary platform that transforms how families and communities engage with online memorials. Obit360 is the most significant evolution of Tribute Technology’s obituary experience to date, delivering a faster, more intuitive, and emotionally resonant design built for today’s digital expectations. Optimized for mobile, powered by improved SEO, and designed to increase engagement and revenue, Obit360 helps funeral homes better serve families while elevating their online presence. “Obit360 is the result of listening closely to our clients and the families they serve,” said Craig Greenseid, CEO of Tribute Technology. “We knew the obituary experience needed to evolve — so we built something faster, smarter, and more personal. Obit360 helps funeral homes create deeper connections and greater value from their websites.” Matt Powell, Tribute Technology’s Chief Technology Officer, added, “We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how families connect and grieve, and it’s happening online. In the first 48 hours after a death, more than 25% of all obituary traffic occurs, and that traffic is not passive. It drives condolence messages, flower orders, donations, even attendance. Obit360 was built to meet this moment: to turn every obituary into an engine of connection, compassion, and community, and to help funeral homes turn visibility into real-world impact.” Built for the Way People Engage Today Obit360 was designed using real user behavior, family feedback, and industry best practices. It introduces a clean, scrollable layout that places details all in one continuous view — no tabs or extra clicks required. With 70–80% of visitors arriving on mobile, the platform delivers a smooth, intuitive experience on any device while keeping the focus on the loved one being honored. Pages load 30% faster, rank higher in search results, and display sympathy gift options directly within the tribute — leading to a 60% increase in purchases. The straightforward design helps reduce confusion, minimizing support calls from families and guests. Real Results for Funeral Homes Firms using Obit360 report major improvements: obituary page visits have increased by 97%, condolence messages by 86%, and sympathy gift purchases by 60%. With fewer support requests, stronger engagement, and a more modern online presence, funeral homes are deepening their connection with families while elevating their digital brand. Available Soon Obit360 will be available first to funeral homes on Tribute Technology’s Premier Partner Network, with expanded availability to follow. Members of the media with questions about Tribute Technology or any of the company’s products and services are asked to contact press@tributetech.com . About Tribute Technology: Tribute Technology’s mission is to bring the best technology to all funeral homes, to help communities around the world celebrate life, and to pay tribute to loved ones. Over 9,000 end-of-life providers already use Tribute Technology’s software and product offerings, including websites, marketing services, management software, online planning, personalized memorial keepsakes, payment processing, and other solutions. Tribute Technology is focused on innovating to help funeral directors save time on tasks, so they can focus more on connecting with the families who have lost a loved one. The company’s goal is to give funeral directors everything they need to run their business in one place, making their lives easier.
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