Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Awards
Welcome to the future of funeral service.
The pace of change in our industry has never been faster—and those who embrace it are not just keeping up, they’re leading the way.
In this first edition of our Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Awards,
we are highlighting the trailblazers who are using technology not just as a tool but as a transformative force.
Ashlee Etzweiler
& Shannon Etzweiler-Kapsak
Funeral Directors
Etzweiler Family Funeral Service
STARLYN AURIT
Customer Experience & Marketing Director
Harrell Funeral Homes
Locations in Central Texas
Number of Locations: 7
How Digital Upgrades Are Strengthening Connections
As Austin’s largest family-owned funeral group, Harrell Funeral Homes are committed to giving families an extensive range of choices. Starlyn Aurit highlights how recent tech upgrades have transformed these offerings. With a new CRM system, a redesigned website, and a fresh email campaign, they’ve set a new standard in remembrance services.
The new email series, featuring heartfelt videos and personal stories from staff — including a poignant message from the artist behind the firm’s remembrance ornaments — has made an extraordinary impact. Thanks to the CRM’s advanced features, these emails bypassed spam filters, leading to a 70% increase in remembrance service attendance.
By bundling the Tribute Book with their stationery package and incorporating QR codes into service programs and prayer cards, families can now easily share stories and photos, enriching their experience.
INTERVIEW WITH STARLYN AURIT
"Funeral directors are notorious for change being hard... and because the customer's needs are constantly changing, we're going to be constantly changing and evolving to meet those needs."
STARLYN AURIT, HARRELL FUNERAL HOMES
ANDREW JENKINS
President & Funeral Director
Jenkins Funeral Chapel, Inc.
Location in Westlake, OH
An Easy-to-Use Website Serves Families Better
As the fourth-generation director of Jenkins Funeral Chapel in Westlake, OH, Andrew Jenkins understands the fast-paced demands of today’s families. To streamline his operations, he turned to Tribute Technology.
What began with an obituary revamp quickly evolved into a full-featured Tribute Website, incorporating tools like Tribute Book and Memorial Trees. He says these resources have become invaluable in helping families honor their loved ones.
Jenkins values being able to log in and make changes to his website whenever he wants — making edits quick and hassle-free. He says it also helps to be able to explain topics and services more easily to families in words they can understand.
The integration of printing and data entry using Tribute Management Software has also significantly boosted efficiency, saving Andrew and his staff lots of time. As for the overwhelming positive feedback from families? That speaks for itself.
INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW JENKINS
“I try to stay ahead of the curve, and it’s enjoyable when positive feedback rolls in from families.”
ANDREW JENKINS, Jenkins Funeral Chapel, Inc.
JONATHAN LEAVITT
Owner & Funeral Director
Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory
2 Locations serving Parkersburg, WV & Belpre, OH
Bridging the Distance: How Technology Brings Families Closer
Fifth-generation funeral director Jonathan Leavitt of Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory, with locations in West Virginia and Ohio, believes in the transformative power of technology — not just to modernize his business but to unite families during their most difficult moments.
To Leavitt, his firm’s website is a crucial extension of this mission, bridging distances with features like online flower ordering, dynamic marketing tools, and pre-need event registration, which has significantly increased attendance at his firm’s lunch-and-learns and workshops. He also emphasizes the convenience of QR codes, exit pop-up ads, gently worded texts, and online calendars, which simplify appointment scheduling and remove barriers to providing support.
One standout innovation, Tribute Technology’s AI Obituary Writer, has particularly impressed him. It saves time for staff while enabling families to craft deeply personal tributes. Leavitt often hears from families amazed by its ease and effectiveness. This technology, he says, proves that even in a digital age, human connections remain at the heart of everything they do.
INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN LEAVITT
“As a funeral home, you can’t lose the personal side to communication. With our use of technology, we’ve really been conscious to make sure we keep our personality and a relationship in whatever we do.”
JONATHAN LEAVITT, Leavitt Funeral Services and Crematory
JIM BUSCH
Owner & President
Busch Funeral Home & Crematory Services
8 Locations serving Northeast Ohio
Where Timeless Tradition Meets Modern Innovation
Since 1905, Busch Funeral Home has upheld a proud tradition of serving local families, from the days of horse-drawn hearses to today’s modern services. Fourth-generation owner Jim Busch continues this legacy with a keen eye for innovation, ensuring that both families and staff benefit from the latest advancements.
A highlight of their modernization is Advance U, the online training platform that has transformed staff onboarding. With interactive modules allowing self-paced learning, it ensures consistent training while freeing up leadership time.
Busch Funeral Home also enriches their services with Legacy Touch keepsakes. Personalized items like necklaces and dog tags provide families with enduring tributes that bring comfort long after the service. The visible pride and emotional impact these keepsakes have on families underscore their significance.
By merging time-honored values with the latest technology, Busch Funeral Home delivers compassionate service while creating a nurturing, empowering environment for their team.
INTERVIEW WITH JIM BUSCH
“We’re finding the more transparent we can be online with our services and pricing, the more people will continue to trust us with their most prized possession, which is their loved one at their time of passing.”
JIM BUSCH, Busch Funeral Home & Crematory Services
ASHLEE ETZWEILER & SHANNON ETZWEILER-KAPSAK
Funeral Directors
Etzweiler Family Funeral Service
3 Locations serving York, PA
Making Tradition Modern
As a locally owned, family-operated funeral home since 1911, Etzweiler Family Funeral Service has embraced new technologies to better serve their community. Sisters and funeral directors Ashlee Etzweiler and Shannon Etzweiler-Kapsak understand that, especially in difficult times, families need both flexibility and control.
With their online planner, families can personalize services from home with full transparency on costs, reducing stress and fitting their needs and budget. From booking appointments to ordering flowers and paying invoices online, their firm makes it easy. Tools like geofencing and Facebook ads also help them connect with new families they may not have otherwise reached who want to explore pre-planning options.
In every way, Etzweiler Family Funeral Service blends modern convenience with a heartfelt, family-focused approach, ensuring that each family feels supported, understood, and empowered to make the decisions that matter most.
INTERVIEW WITH ASHLEE ETZWEILER & SHANNON ETZWEILER-KAPSAK
“Families say numerous times that they’ve gone on our website and like how clean and user–friendly it is – and that’s why they feel connected to us and end up choosing us.”
ASHLEE ETZWEILER & SHANNON ETZWEILER-KAPSAK, Etzweiler Family Funeral Service
DAVID LEE HERNANDEZ JR.
Founder and CEO
Jersey Memorial Group
17 Locations serving PA and NJ
How Technology is Transforming
Work-Life Balance in Funeral Services
While overseeing numerous funeral homes and crematories, David Hernandez Jr., like many funeral directors, faces the challenge of balancing a demanding schedule with the needs of grieving families. For him, technology has become a lifeline — giving thousands of hours back to his staff and allowing for deeper connections with those he serves.
By integrating modern solutions like Tribute Obituary Writer and Tribute Video, David’s team has transformed the way families create personalized memories. These tools streamline processes and enable loved ones, even those out of state, to contribute effortlessly. For instance, legal documents can now be signed within the software itself, bypassing the need for third-party platforms.
The impact has been significant. Tasks that once kept his team tethered to the office are now completed in minutes, allowing them to focus on providing compassionate, authentic support. For David, this technological shift has restored balance, enabling him to serve families better while remaining present for his own.
INTERVIEW WITH DAVID LEE HERNANDEZ JR.
“When you harness technology, it really gets us back to our core competency. For us, it’s the ministry of bereavement. We’re really here for families.”
DAVID LEE HERNANDEZ JR., Jersey Memorial Group
JIMMY ALTMEYER JR.
President of Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory
50+ Locations in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia
JOHN BUTLER
Digital Strategy for Treasured Memories
Compassion in Action: Leveraging Technology to Ease Financial Burdens for Families
Family-owned and operated since 1917, Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory has evolved into a multi-state operation, driven by a heartfelt commitment to supporting families during their most challenging times.
Their firm’s professionals are dedicated to comprehensive support, including providing vital financial assistance. This commitment led Jimmy Altmeyer Jr. to create Treasured Memories Community Funding—a compassionate solution to ease families' financial burdens after a loss.
This innovative platform enables families to receive community donations directly, eliminating fees and deductions so that every dollar reaches those in need. Treasured Memories has become an invaluable resource, especially in the wake of unexpected tragedies like the devastating impact of recent hurricanes. By providing financial relief and fostering community support, Altmeyer enhances its mission of delivering compassionate, comprehensive care, ensuring that families receive the meaningful assistance they deserve when it matters the most.
INTERVIEW WITH JOHN BUTLER
“The feedback for Treasured Memories Community Funding has been tremendous. We have families that come in with absolutely nothing. They're devastated. And they are super appreciative ... with how well the funds are received and how much they're able to donate to the community as well.”
John Butler, Treasured Memories
BOB GORDON
President & CEO
Cypress Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park
5 Locations Serving the San Francisco Bay Area
Revolutionizing Connections: How Cypress Lawn is Redefining Funeral Home Marketing in the Digital Age
Building Lasting Relationships Beyond Immediate Needs
In a world where digital connections can shape long-term relationships, funeral homes face the unique challenge of engaging families beyond their immediate needs.
A New Approach to Funeral Home Marketing
Bob Gordon, President and CEO of San Francisco’s renowned Cypress Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park, is leading the charge in overcoming this challenge. Partnering with MKJ Marketing, Gordon has introduced groundbreaking approaches in marketing automation and customer relationship management, reshaping how funeral homes interact with their communities.
Cypress Lawn, for example, utilizes MKJ Marketing for a wide range of marketing services, including digital marketing, print marketing, design, and lead generation, further enhancing their ability to connect with families in meaningful ways. As a unique blend of a cemetery and funeral home, Cypress Lawn offers a compelling case study in this evolving field.
Gordon’s mission began with a pivotal question: How can funeral homes build lasting relationships with clients throughout their lives – not just at times of need? Drawing on his extensive background in sales and customer relations, Gordon sought to integrate technology with a deep understanding of marketing. Collaborating with Tribute Technology, he developed a fresh approach that merges marketing automation with customer insights.
The Power of Marketing Automation and Customer Segmentation
Cypress Lawn, a San Francisco mainstay serving prominent families for over a century, exemplifies this transformation. With a sales team of nearly 100 and a diverse clientele — including Chinese, Filipino, Hispanic, and Caucasian communities — Cypress Lawn navigates a complex landscape of cultural traditions and communication expectations.
Their strategy revolves around a sophisticated marketing automation and customer segmentation program. This initiative starts with building detailed customer records that go beyond basic contact information, incorporating historical engagement and purchase data.
Extending Relationships Beyond Immediate Needs
The creation of a lead center was a game-changer, allowing Cypress Lawn to segment data effectively, enabling precise and timely marketing.
Gordon explains, “Our next opportunity is to connect more deeply with people who have interacted with Cypress Lawn, are familiar with our brand, and had great experiences. This lets us follow them through years and generations, engaging families not just at key moments but over the long term.”
Courtney Gould Miller, Chief Customer Officer at Tribute Technology, adds, “Marketing automation extends the funeral home’s relationship with clients beyond their immediate needs. By using newsletters, free downloads, and other touchpoints, we keep our services in their minds and ensure they know who to call when they need assistance.”
Leveraging Data for Meaningful Interactions
Cypress Lawn’s approach leverages marketing automation based on customer segmentation, drawing from both historical and current data. Their system tracks every engagement—website visits, phone calls, emails, and texts—allowing family counselors to approach leads with a thorough understanding of past interactions and current needs. This ensures more meaningful and informed interactions.
The Future of Funeral Home Marketing
For Cypress Lawn, marketing segmentation is not just important but essential. Delivering the right message to the right person at the right time allows them to address their community’s diverse needs sensitively and effectively.
The success of Cypress Lawn underscores the critical role of integrating technology with a personal touch in funeral home marketing strategies. As the profession evolves, the ability to track and engage with clients over time will be key to driving growth and maintaining meaningful connections for years to come.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE DIGITAL COPY
The Tech-Enabled Funeral Home
Discover the first edition of The Tech-Enabled Funeral Home, an exclusive magazine by Tribute Technology crafted for today’s funeral directors. Download your free copy to explore expert insights, in-depth articles, and practical strategies for integrating technology that enhances service efficiency and client experience. Sign up below to access your copy and see how technology can transform your firm.
