Chptr Brings Together Death Care and Modern Media Leaders to Accelerate Modernizing the Obituary for Families and Funeral Homes

Six Respected Industry Leaders Join Chptr’s Advisory Board, Representing MKJ Marketing, Heritage Family, Homesteaders, and Independent Funeral Service

New York, NY — December 18, 2025 — Chptr, the community storytelling company helping funeral directors bring a more modern, meaningful, and accessible obituary experience to the families they serve, today announced the formation of its Obituary Advisory Board. Six of the profession’s most trusted operators, directors, marketers, and strategists have joined the board, including Glenn and Marilyn Gould of MKJ Marketing, Lindsay Granson of Heritage Family, Courtney Gould Miller of Homesteaders, Ricardo Carrillo of Carrillo Funeral Home, and Timothy Szczesny of DeMunn Funeral Home.

The group joins existing advisors and media leaders Christian A. Hendricks of the Local Media Consortium and Laura Clark of NPGCO. The Advisory Board’s formation marks an important milestone as Chptr scales nationwide to help funeral homes bring a modern obituary experience to the communities they serve. The group brings decades of operational, marketing, and family-service expertise and will advise Chptr on ensuring its broadcast, social, and video offerings remain simple, dignified, and deeply aligned with how funeral directors work.

Advisory Board members bring deep and complementary expertise across death care and modern media:

● Glenn and Marilyn Gould have spent more than 30 years building MKJ Marketing into one of the most trusted agencies in the profession, advising hundreds of funeral homes on strategic growth and family experience.

● Lindsay Granson, Chief Operating Officer of Heritage Family, leads one of the nation’s most respected multi-location funeral home organizations and brings deep expertise in family service excellence.

● Courtney Gould Miller, Chief Growth Officer at Homesteaders, has overseen strategic partnerships and product development supporting thousands of funeral homes.

● Timothy Szczesny, owner of DeMunn Funeral Home and Cremation Service, provides the essential perspective of an independent funeral director serving families every day.

● Ricardo Carrillo, owner of Carrillo Funeral Homes in Dallas, is a leading Latino funeral service voice whose experience supporting Hispanic families strengthens Chptr’s understanding of diverse community needs.

● Laura Clark serves as Chief People Officer at News-Press & Gazette Company, bringing expertise in organizational development and operational excellence across media properties.

● Christian A. Hendricks, representing the Local Media Consortium, brings deep expertise in digital media strategy and local news operations, strengthening Chptr’s alignment with community-focused publishers.

“Chptr, with our nationwide network of local media partners, was built to serve the people who serve families,” said Rehan Choudhry, CEO of Chptr. “Each member of this board has earned trust in the profession across the country. Their guidance ensures we stay grounded in the realities of funeral service and continue building tools that support directors in meaningful, practical ways.”

Chptr transforms family photos and memories into broadcast-ready video tributes that notify the wider community across local television, social media, and digital channels. By handling production and coordination directly with families, Chptr keeps the process simple for funeral directors while reinforcing their role as trusted community leaders.

“Directors need tools that help families feel supported without adding more steps to an already demanding day. Chptr delivers that,” said Lindsay Granson, COO of Heritage Family. “They help families reach the community while taking the production and coordination off our plate. We can feel the difference in how families respond and how confidently our directors offer the service.”

The Advisory Board has already begun advising on expansion priorities, partnership standards, and enhancements that address key challenges directors face in arrangement rooms. Their insight will guide Chptr as it continues to scale its offerings nationwide.

“Obituaries are a cornerstone of community journalism, and bringing them into video makes them even more powerful,” said Christian A. Hendricks, president of the Local Media Consortium. “That’s why we’ve engaged with Chptr. It transforms a simple notice into a story the whole community can see and feel. It’s exactly the kind of service local media was built to deliver.”

About Chptr

Founded in 2023 and headquartered in New York, Chptr is the community storytelling company that helps funeral homes bring modern memorialization to the families they serve. Through its Broadcast, Social, and Video offerings, Chptr transforms photos and memories into video tributes that reach thousands, helping communities gather, show support, and honor every life properly. Chptr partners with funeral homes and media companies across the United States, coordinating directly with families to keep workflows simple for funeral directors. Learn more at www.chptr.com.

Rollings and Pinnacle Funeral Service Announce Strategic National Partnership to Accelerate Pre-Need Offerings

Rollings Funeral Service and Pinnacle Funeral Service, two of the nation’s leading private funeral home operators, have formed a strategic partnership with Precoa and National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) to expand preneed programs and better serve families across their nationwide network.

The partnership with Precoa and NGL reflects a shared commitment to advance proactive planning by improving customer service and growing market share. With Precoa’s nationally recognized sales and marketing expertise and NGL’s long-standing reputation for trusted insurance solutions, Rollings and Pinnacle will give their affiliated funeral homes the tools, training, and support needed to reach more families with meaningful preplanning options.

“NGL stands apart in our industry because they are focused solely on providing high-quality preneed products for partners,” said Greg Rollings, Founder and Chairman of Rollings and Pinnacle. “That alignment, along with Precoa’s proven approach, makes this partnership a great fit for our mission to deliver more peace of mind to families.”

Chris Hamiel, VP of Operations, added: “This is a natural next step as we continue to invest in our operations and strengthen our ability to serve communities nationwide. Precoa’s model and NGL’s focus are exactly what we were looking for to support long-term preneed growth.”

The rollout began in early September 2025 across Rollings and Pinnacle locations, with further expansion planned in 2026.

Together, the four organizations are setting a new standard for preneed excellence—helping more families plan ahead, find peace of mind, and ensure their wishes are honored.

Rollings and Pinnacle are two of the fastest growing private funeral home operators in the nation. Combined they serve approximately 15,000 families annually from 95 locations throughout the United States and continue to grow through both operational initiatives and acquisitions. For information on how your firm could join Rollings and Pinnacle, please contact Tony Kumming, President and Head of Acquisitions, tony@pinnaclefunerals.com.

Tribute Technology Expands Executive Team to Accelerate Innovation and Growth

WAUNAKEE, WI — Tribute Technology, the leading provider of software and marketing solutions for funeral homes, cemeteries, and cremation businesses across North America, has announced the appointment of Craig Greenseid as Chief Executive Officer. This strategic move further strengthens the company’s leadership bench as it enters its next phase of growth, platform innovation, and customer experience enhancement.

Greenseid is a seasoned executive with more than two decades of experience driving transformation and customer-centric strategies across the technology landscape. Most recently, he served as a Managing Director and Operating Executive within The Carlyle Group’s private equity portfolio where he focused tech companies on how they scale and operate effectively — experience that aligns with meeting the needs of Tribute Technology’s clients and the families they serve. 

Greenseid has been a Tribute Technology board member for more than two years, deeply involved in shaping the company’s strategic priorities and roadmap investments. His expanded role ensures continuity in execution and clear alignment for the company’s vision for the future. 

“It is an honor to join Tribute Technology as its CEO,” said Greenseid. “I am excited to lead this innovative company and continue working alongside the talented team to further its mission of delivering unparalleled solutions to the funeral and life celebration profession. Together, we will build on Tribute Technology’s strong foundation, serving our funeral home customers and the families they support in their communities.” 

Prior to joining Tribute Technology, Greenseid held senior leadership roles at companies such as Blackboard and PowerSchool — where he served as Chief Revenue Officer and led a go-to-market organization that significantly expanded the company’s reach in the K-12 education technology space, an area he remains passionate about as the husband to a veteran teacher with 23 years of experience. 

His appointment formalizes his transition from board advisor to operational leader, joining Courtney Gould Miller, President of Commercial Markets, and Matt Powell, Chief Technology Officer, who have been with Tribute Technology for a combined six years. Together they will drive Tribute Technology’s long-term strategic success.

“Craig has been an excellent partner to the Tribute Technology team while advising for Carlyle,” said Gould Miller. “His leadership, insight, and strategic perspective have been invaluable as a board member for the past two years. Having him step into the CEO role to lead the team through the next phase of innovation is ideal for our thousands of customers and our 450 employees.”

Over the past year, Tribute Technology has broadened its leadership team by appointing a new Chief Financial Officer, Anthony Cali, and Chief Operating Officer, Joshua Gibbs, which has reinforced the company’s commitment to stability and future innovation. The entire leadership team, combined with Greenseid’s operating expertise and passion for customer-centric products and service, positions Tribute to best provide value to the clients we serve with increased purpose and confidence.

As part of its ongoing investment in innovation, Tribute Technology also announced the launch of a completely reimagined obituary experience, now available across all Tribute Technology platforms. This enhanced offering is a testament to the company’s dedication to technology that centers the needs of grieving families while equipping funeral professionals with modern, meaningful tools.

With a strong financial foundation, Tribute Technology is committed to reinvesting in its platform, its people, and its partnerships—with a clear focus on helping funeral professionals thrive in a digital-first world.

About Tribute Technology
Tribute Technology is the leading provider of software and marketing solutions for funeral homes, cemeteries, and cremation businesses across North America. Trusted by thousands of firms, Tribute Technology’s suite of tools supports funeral professionals in serving families with compassion, efficiency, and modern digital experiences.

Serent Capital Invests in PlotBox to Accelerate Innovation in Deathcare Technology

Austin, TX & San Francisco, CA – Serent Capital, a growth-focused private equity firm, announced today that it has made a strategic investment in PlotBox, a leading cloud-based provider of end-to-end cemetery, crematory, and funeral home management solutions. The partnership will help to fuel PlotBox’s expansion, drive continued innovation, and enhance customer outcomes across North America, the UK, Ireland, and APAC.

Founded by Chief Executive Officer Sean McAllister and Chief Commercial Officer Leona McAllister, PlotBox has revolutionized the deathcare industry with its innovative, cloud-based platform that streamlines cemetery, crematory, and funeral home operations.

Serent’s investment is expected to help accelerate product innovation, elevate customer support, and expand PlotBox’s global footprint – fueling growth while continuing to serve and support long-standing customers.

“We are excited to partner with Serent Capital as we embark on this next stage of growth,” said Sean McAllister, CEO of PlotBox.

“We wanted a partner whose values aligned with our own, helping to support our mission to help take away some of the pain in dealing with death for families and those that serve them. We’re focused on bettering the industry by raising standards within the profession, and this partnership will help us to realize that.”

“Their expertise in scaling vertical software companies, along with their deep understanding of our industry, also makes them the perfect partner to help us continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

Leona McAllister, Chief Commercial Officer of PlotBox, added, “At PlotBox, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. With Serent’s support, we will be able to further enhance our platform and continue providing best-in-class service to cemetery, crematory, and funeral home operators worldwide.”

Serent Capital, which specializes in investing in high-growth technology companies, saw PlotBox as a natural fit.

“PlotBox has established itself as the premier platform in the deathcare market, offering a comprehensive and highly differentiated product,” said Lance Fenton, Partner at Serent Capital.

“We are thrilled to support their vision and help drive the company’s growth across the entirety of the deathcare industry.”

PlotBox’s innovative platform integrates digital mapping, records management, financial management, and operational workflows, providing cemeteries, crematories, and funeral homes with a modern, efficient solution to manage their operations.

The investment also follows strategic partnerships PlotBox has secured with some of the largest consolidators in the United States. It underscores PlotBox’s ability to serve sophisticated, large-scale operators while demonstrating the scalability needed to support the complex needs of multi-location providers of all sizes.

Serent’s investment marks a major step forward in PlotBox’s mission to bring cutting-edge technology to the global deathcare industry.

About PlotBox

PlotBox is the innovative cloud-based deathcare management solution that helps cemeteries, crematories, and funeral homes to excel. The intuitive, easy-to-use platform seamlessly places all essential deathcare management functions into one place. This enables customers to serve better, save time, increase revenue, reduce risk – and sustain long-term growth. The 120-strong company is headquartered in Northern Ireland, with on-the-ground teams in the United States and Australia. This means the growing multidisciplinary team can consistently deliver exceptional levels of service, both globally and locally. PlotBox is more than a vendor. They are a dedicated partner focused on each customer’s success – and the families they serve.

For more information, visit www.plotbox.com.

About Serent Capital

Serent Capital is a growth-focused private equity firm investing in capital-efficient B2B SaaS and technology companies. Since its inception, Serent set out to build a distinctly different firm that prioritizes founders and their companies, providing true hands-on resources through its 25+ person Growth Team. Serent’s in-house Growth Team is equipped with a wide range of resources to help companies accelerate growth, including strategic and operational support to drive revenue generation, assistance in building a top-tier executive team, guidance for transformative M&A, and a community of 400+ founders and operating executives. With $5 billion of assets under management, the firm has partnered with over 60 founder-led, industry-changing companies and offers unparalleled hands-on operational support.

Discover how Serent Capital is fueling the growth of innovative companies across a range of industries at www.serentcapital.com

Does Grief Accelerate Aging?

Yes, indeed – getting old before your time is a real thing, and losing someone precious can leave one more vulnerable to it.

A recent study suggests that experiencing the loss of a loved one can cause greater biological age in grieving survivors. “Biological age” here refers specifically to the body’s efficiency in particular ways, including cell resiliency and overall tissue and organ function. Youth’s optimal performance naturally declines year to year, decade to decade – a normal aspect of the aging process. The result of this decline in function is frequently development of chronic health conditions and diseases.

Grief’s impact on psychological and overall health has long been known, but this study is among the first to focus on impact on the processes of aging.

Evidence says

A Cambridge study followed a selected group though youth into adulthood and monitored health responses to losses.

Researchers look at highly particular, specific ways our genome changes as we age. Using mathematical models called “epigenetic clocks,” DNA can be measured for certain values at specific points. These points along the genome change reliably, with expected values at different stages of life.

The readings of those who had endured significant losses were comparable to those typical of chronologically older individuals.

While loss at any age can accelerate ageing, effects can be particularly severe for those affected during childhood and young adulthood – critical phases of emotional and cognitive development. And experiencing profound personal loss early (such as the death of a parent or sibling) can have extreme results that affect health negatively over time and throughout life.

Accumulation of loss

Results also shows greater effects on those who have experienced multiple losses (“accumulation of losses”), which appear to have significant effects at any age. The damage done can be permanent and do not seem to diminish over time.

Conditions associated with losing a very closed loved one include dementia, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive and other mental health disorders. The same have likewise been associated with experiencing the loss of multiple close relationships, with added increased risk of mortality.

It’s long been understood that the loss of a spouse after a lifetime together can result in the sudden death of the surviving spouse, a phenomenon experts call “the widowhood effect.” It goes along with the stories of death by broken heart, which can (but doesn’t have to be) fatal, and can be brought on by profound grief caused by any number of other types of loss… not just the death of a beloved.

The exact mechanisms of how grief can cripple even the youngest of us in unique ways, turning us frail before our time, aren’t perfectly understood yet, but science is working diligently to catch up to what many of us would prefer not to understand about the acute, often overwhelming powers of grief.