Innovation, Inspiration and Impact: NFDA 2025 Convention Unites Funeral Professionals in Chicago

Brookfield, Wis. – The 2025 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) International Convention & Expo brought together funeral service professionals from around the world for four unforgettable days of learning, connection and inspiration. Held October 26–29 in Chicago, Illinois, the event invited attendees to explore new ideas, celebrate innovation and reaffirm the compassion at the heart of the profession.

From powerful keynote speakers and dynamic workshops to the world’s largest funeral service exposition, the NFDA Convention delivered an experience that blended education, creativity and community in equal measure. The atmosphere throughout McCormick Place reflected the energy and optimism of a profession dedicated to excellence and continuous growth.

As the funeral service profession’s premier gathering, the 2025 Convention once again set the standard for collaboration and leadership, proving that when funeral professionals come together, the result is transformation.

Total attendance for the 2025 Convention was 5,964 (3,625 participants and 2,339 exhibitor representatives). This included 393 international attendees from 39 countries and territories. The Expo Hall featured 357 exhibiting companies, filling 85,100 square feet of exhibit space.

Education and Inspiration

The 2025 Convention offered more than 30 education sessions and five pre-convention seminars, each carefully curated by the NFDA Convention Education Task Force to address evolving consumer expectations, workforce challenges and the latest innovations shaping funeral service.

Participants explored topics such as new forms of disposition (including alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction), the integration of artificial intelligence, compassion fatigue, consumer communication, and strategies for strengthening business operations and marketing. Traditional subjects such as embalming, restorative art and cremation were also featured prominently.

During the Opening General Session on Monday, October 27, NFDA CEO Christine Pepper unveiled “When Words Matter: A Funeral Director’s Guide to Clear and Compassionate Communication,” a guidebook based on groundbreaking NFDA research designed to help funeral professionals bridge the language gap between themselves and the families they serve.

Based on research with more than 1,100 consumers, the study revealed stark differences in how families understand and use terms commonly used by funeral directors, such as funeral, memorial service and celebration of life. The guide invites funeral service professionals to reflect on how they communicate with grieving families and offers practical strategies to strengthen trust and clarity. Pepper announced that “When Words Matter” is available free of charge to funeral professionals at NFDA.org/Research.

That same spirit of reflection and growth continued throughout the week as attendees were inspired by two powerful keynote speakers who reminded them of the importance of passion and curiosity in their work. Felipe Gomez, sponsored by National Guardian Life, opened the convention with “Virtuoso: Living the Virtuoso Life,” an engaging experience blending live piano music with lessons on leadership, innovation and excellence. Gomez cautioned against becoming too comfortable or dispassionate in daily work, urging attendees to “play with passion,” because other people will respond to your energy. He invited participants to reflect on their work and consider whether they are simply playing the notes or truly playing with heart.

On Wednesday, October 29, Crystal Washington, sponsored by Carriage, echoed that theme in her closing keynote, “Futureproof Yourself: Innovate and Thrive in Times of Uncertainty.” She encouraged attendees to approach their work and the world with renewed curiosity, to cultivate a childlike sense of wonder, and to never stop asking, “What’s that?” and “Why?”. In doing so, she reminded funeral professionals that curiosity and passion are the keys to embracing change with creativity and confidence.

The Expo Hall: Innovation in Action

The 2025 NFDA Expo Hall once again served as the global hub of innovation in funeral service. Attendees explored the latest products and technologies from exhibitors worldwide, networked with industry leaders and experienced firsthand how innovation is shaping the future of care for grieving families.

Among the most celebrated moments was the announcement of the 2025 NFDA Innovation Award during Monday’s Opening General Session. This year’s winner was Grace by Afterword, the profession’s first AI assistant designed specifically for funeral homes. Grace automates routine administrative tasks, supports personalized communication and helps funeral directors focus on serving families with compassion and efficiency.

Healing Path Cemetery, a grief-focused engagement system, earned second place, while Passare – AI Scanner, a handwriting-recognition tool that digitizes vital forms, took third. NFDA extends its gratitude to ASD – Answering Service for Directors for sponsoring the award and the distinguished panel of judges who selected this year’s winners.

Artistry and Excellence

A major highlight of the convention was NFDA’s first-ever Restorative Art Technical Showcase, where eight talented practitioners demonstrated advanced reconstructive techniques on practice models before a live audience in the Expo Hall. The competition’s winner, Hannah Bugos of Spearfish, South Dakota, was honored for her exceptional skill, artistry and technical precision.

NFDA thanks judges Glyn Tallon, Vernie Fountain and Karl Wenzel for their expertise and the competition sponsor, Post Mortem Restorative Cosmetics, for helping showcase the craft, care and creativity that define restorative art in funeral service. NFDA also thanks The Dodge Co., Frigid Fluid and Kelco for additional product and supply support.

NFDA’s fourth annual Funeral Face-Off trivia challenge, sponsored by Precoa, once again brought high-energy competition and plenty of laughs to the Expo Hall. Before the Convention, teams from across the country competed in preliminary rounds of funeral service trivia, leading to three finalists: “Return Homies” (Katey Houston, Mandy Stafford and Travis Locke); “Grave Expectations” (Kevin O’Connell, Jacob Wittrock and Amy Hart); and “Team Steve” (Steve Reynolds, Melany Artajo and Audrey Fictum).

In the end, the “Return Homies” reclaimed the 2025 Precoa Cup, followed by “Grave Expectations” in second place and “Team Steve” in third. This fan-favorite event once again proved that a little friendly competition is the perfect way to celebrate knowledge, teamwork and fun in funeral service. In addition to the support from Precoa, NFDA thanks Tuesday Evening Publications for providing prizes for Funeral Face-off.

Celebrating Service, Connection and Community

The 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo offered countless opportunities to celebrate the people, passion and purpose that define funeral service.

The week began on Sunday, October 26, in unforgettable style with NFDA’s Welcome Party, sponsored by Batesville and Legacy. Held at Chicago’s iconic House of Blues, the roaring 1920s-themed event transported guests to the Prohibition era, complete with live jazz, tarot readers, typewriter poets, whiskey tastings and high-energy dance performances. Attendees enjoyed small bites, cocktails and Charleston dance lessons as they connected with colleagues from throughout the country and around the globe. With glittering flapper dresses, pinstripes and fedoras filling the room, it was truly the party of the decade and a joyful start to the week.

The celebration of excellence continued Monday, October 27, with the NFDA All-Star Recognition Ceremony, honoring funeral professionals who exemplify leadership, innovation and dedication to serving families and their communities. The ceremony recognized: the 2025 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients; NFDA Green Funeral Practice Certificate holders; NFDA Cremation Certification designees; NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultants; Funeral Service Foundation scholarship recipients; 2025–26 NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program participants; 2025 Meet the Mentors participants; the 2025 NFDA Inspiration Award recipient; and Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice Certified Funeral Service Practitioners. From emerging leaders to seasoned professionals, the ceremony shone a spotlight on the passion and commitment that elevates the profession and inspires others to pursue excellence.

One of the week’s most moving moments came on Tuesday, October 28, during the Service of Remembrance, sponsored by Messenger and Tukios, and featuring Chicago’s historic Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Choir. The service honored funeral service professionals and loved ones who died during the past year, celebrating their lives and legacies with music and reflection.

The sermon, delivered by Pastor Darryl Person of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, drew inspiration from the hymn “Peace in the Valley” and the city’s distinction as the birthplace of gospel music. Person, the son of a funeral director, spoke eloquently about grieving families “walking through the valley,” and reminded attendees that they are called to walk with them — to offer comfort and companionship on the journey toward healing.

As the final hymn during the Service of Remembrance faded, attendees gave generously, raising $5,000 for Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, a fitting reflection of the care and kindness that define funeral service.

On Tuesday evening, the spotlight turned to the next generation of professionals during the Young and New Funeral Professionals Networking Event at Lucky Strike Chicago. This energetic gathering combined bowling, arcade games, billiards, food and conversation in a relaxed atmosphere, giving newcomers to the profession the opportunity to connect, share experiences and build lasting relationships.

Compassion in Action: The NFDA Impact Zone

The new NFDA Impact Zone, which was supported by the Funeral Service Foundation, provided meaningful opportunities for attendees to give back to Chicago.

On Monday, October 27, volunteers assembled 1,000 hygiene kits for individuals and families in need. The kits will be distributed through Bright Star, a local organization serving Chicago’s most impoverished neighborhoods, with coordination from Chicago Cares.

Throughout the week, attendees also wrote letters of appreciation to veterans participating in upcoming Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. These heartfelt notes were sent to Honor Flight chapters in Chicago, Peoria and Southern Illinois and will be delivered to veterans during “Mail Call,” a cherished moment on their journey home from visiting national memorials.

Funeral directors are among the most community-minded professionals in the world, and the Impact Zone reflects that enduring spirit of service. Whether building kits or writing letters, NFDA members once again demonstrated that compassion and care for communities are at the heart of everything they do.

Memories of Chicago

Professional photographers were on hand to capture the spirit and excitement of the 2025 NFDA Convention. Photos can be viewed online at NFDA.org/ChicagoPics; attendees may download as many photos as they like at no charge.

Additionally, the All-Star Recognition and Installation of the 2025-26 NFDA Board of Directors were livestreamed on the association’s Facebook page. Recordings of these events can be found online, Facebook.com/NationalFuneralDirectorsAssociation/Live_Videos.

Looking Ahead: Charlotte 2026

The 145th NFDA International Convention & Expo will take place October 25 through 28, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and known for its warm hospitality and dynamic blend of Southern charm and modern innovation, Charlotte promises another unforgettable experience of learning, networking and inspiration.

Sponsors

NFDA thanks its 2025 International Convention & Expo sponsors for their generous support:

• Medallion: National Guardian Life
• Black Diamond: Homesteaders Life Company
• Platinum: Carriage Services, Federated Insurance
• Titanium: Tribute Technology
• Gold: Batesville; Inman Shipping/Travel Plan by Inman; Legacy; Love Urns; Physicians Mutual; Precoa; TruStage;
• Silver: ASD – Answering Service for Directors; C&J Financial; Foundation Partners; Heartland; Implant Recycling; Johnson Consulting Group; The Messenger Company; Post Mortem Restorative Cosmetics; Ring Ring Marketing; Tukios; Ultimate Canine
• Bronze: Argent Trust; Aurora Payments, CareCredit; ClearPoint; International Injury Lawyers; Doric; Eagle’s Wings Air; Fortitude; funeral365; Funeral Service Credit Union; Global Atlantic; Keith Merrick Co.; Madelyn Co.; Matthews; Nomis Publications Inc.; Passare; PlotBox; Sympathy Brands; Trigard; USA Today Networks 

About NFDA

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, with 20,000 individual members who represent more nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit NFDA.org.

Flying Farewells: Cremation Air Brings Innovation and Dignity to Aerial Ash Scatterings

When you think of cremated remains scattering from an airplane, you might imagine a cinematic, peaceful moment—a graceful release into the sky. But for most people, that romantic image comes with a long list of logistical, regulatory, and technical challenges. Pat Kane, Business Development Strategist for Cremation Air, LLC, says that’s exactly why the company exists: to make dignified, trackable aerial scatterings possible—and easy—for funeral directors to offer to their families.

Cremation Air, founded by the Czachor family of ASD – Answering Service for Directors, is the newest venture from a name already known and trusted in deathcare. The company operates a Beechcraft Bonanza G36, piloted by Andrew Czachor, the son of ASD’s Chief Technology Officer Marty Czachor. From conception to takeoff, the entire project has been a family effort grounded in care, precision, and respect.

Business to business, by design

While a handful of other companies offer aerial scatterings directly to consumers, Cremation Air’s model is designed specifically for deathcare professionals. 

“That’s the big difference,” Kane says. “With ASD’s foundation in deathcare, we wanted this to be business-to-business—to help directors offer families something meaningful and unique, while also putting some revenue back in their pockets.”

Cremation Air’s process is streamlined with directors in mind. Everything is handled through a simple, trackable system: directors submit an online order, include the necessary documents (cremation certificate and authorization to scatter), and ship the cremated remains to Cremation Air via USPS. From there, every step—receipt, flight scheduling, scattering—is tracked through a barcode system that provides updates to both the director and, optionally, the family.

“We knew tracking was critical,” Kane says. “When Kathy Czachor Kelley went to one of the women’s professional conferences, she came back saying, ‘We have to knock this out of the park from a tracking point of view.’ That’s where most horror stories come from, and we wanted to eliminate that.”

A new kind of memorial experience

Each family receives a tribute video showing the aircraft in flight and the scattering ceremony, along with a certificate of scattering. In the near future, families will be able to link the video directly to an obituary page, or even receive it on an elegant LCD memorial booklet that plays the video when opened—something Kane says could replace the “urn on the mantle.” At $395 per individual scattering, the service is accessible for many families and gives directors flexibility in pricing. 

The current operations serve the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions as well as the Great Lakes, with hangars in Philadelphia and Tampa. Each flight follows strict FAA guidelines, releasing remains three miles offshore from the selected coastal location or over designated bodies of water.

The human connection behind the mission

Although the technology and logistics behind Cremation Air are impressive, Kane says it’s the human element that truly defines the company. A former educator and school administrator, he came to deathcare through personal connections with the Czachor family—first as a teacher and coach to Andrew, then as a collaborator on the project.

“Andrew is 25 years old and is so thorough about the process,” Kane says. “He makes you feel so comfortable about getting up in that plane, which is the most important thing. So for him at that age, to be the way that he is, it’s really remarkable. I give him so much credit for wanting to do this.”

That same commitment, Kane believes, mirrors the heart of funeral service. 

“The grieving process has ebbs and flows,” he says. “If a director can connect with a family—make them laugh when they need to laugh, help them remember in the right way—that’s what makes the difference. Funeral directors are part of their communities; they really care. This service is just one more way to help them care.”

For families, aerial scattering through Cremation Air offers a poetic and respectful way to say goodbye. For directors, it’s a new opportunity to extend service and create value in the era of cremation.

“If a family has someone who loved the ocean, or who served in the Navy, or who was a pilot themselves—this is a natural fit,” Kane says. “And the best part is, they can still do everything else: keepsake jewelry, memorial items, urns. This isn’t an either/or. It’s an and.”

The Independent Funeral Group Announces Partnership with The Champion Company to Support Embalming Innovation and Eco-Friendly Solutions

Maryville, TN — October 22, 2025 — The Independent Funeral Group is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Champion Company, America’s oldest family-owned chemical company and a respected pioneer in embalming and funeral service innovation, whose legacy of excellence stretches back a century and a half. This collaboration provides member firms access to forward-thinking solutions that emphasize quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.

Champion has long been recognized for its groundbreaking work in embalming chemistry and equipment. From introducing formaldehyde-free solutions that increase safety for embalmers to developing certified products for green burials and eco-cremations, Champion continues to lead the way in meaningful industry advancements. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and practitioner wellbeing makes them a trusted partner for funeral professionals who value both tradition and progress.

For 30 years, The Independent Funeral Group has worked to build a strong network of peers and partners, to better support our membership, and independent funeral homes overall. This new relationship with Champion reflects our ongoing mission to equip our member firms with ethical, high-quality resources that help them serve their communities with confidence and care.

“For generations, Champion has led the way in improving our profession,” said Dr. Brad Kuchnicki, Executive Director of The Independent Funeral Group. “Their commitment to both innovation and integrity makes them an ideal partner for the firms we support.”

“At Champion, we’ve always believed innovation and care go hand in hand,” said Dmitri Gianakopoulos, President and CEO of The Champion Company. “We’re proud to work with The Independent Funeral Group and bring forward-thinking solutions to the firms that serve their communities with compassion every day.”

About The Independent Funeral Group

Since 1995, The Independent Funeral Group has worked to support family-owned and operated funeral homes, and now serves as a buying, education, and resource group, committed to preserving independent ownership and strengthening the profession through shared resources and collaboration. Founded by funeral practitioners, for funeral practitioners, The Group champions dignity, service, and community.

To learn more about The Independent Funeral Group’s mission, membership criteria, and benefits, visit www.tifg.net, email info@tifg.net, or call (865) 405-7085.

Our mission is to help you achieve yours.

Batesville Expands Innovation in Burial, Cremation, Digital Solutions and Personalization with New Product Launches at NFDA 2025 

Batesville, Ind – October 16, 2025 – Batesville, a leading provider of high-quality burial products,  cremation products, and technology solutions will debut its newest offerings at the 2025 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) International Convention & Expo from October 27-29 in Chicago, Illinois. 

Building on the momentum from last year’s NFDA, Batesville continues to invest in the future of funeral service with back-to-back years of product launches and technology advancements. No other company in the industry is investing more to bring meaningful, affordable innovations that support funeral professionals and the families they serve. 

“Families today want more choices, personalization options, and tools that make the planning process easier,’ said Jenn Parvin, Chief Marketing Officer. “Our newest offerings reflect those needs, combining tradition and care with forward-thinking design and innovation.” 

New Product Highlights Include: 

Burial  

Batesville is proud to introduce three new caskets, thoughtfully designed to provide families with high-quality options as they honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. The collection includes the: 

• Two 18-gauge steel selections — the NV1 Tuscany Silver and the NV1 Burnished Silver — engineered with both personalization and quality in mind. 

• Crimson Montgomery, a timeless cherry-stained wood casket that reflects warmth and tradition and serves as a dual-disposition casket for both cremation and burial.

• Batesville continues its long-standing commitment to innovation and personalization with its Family Choices® line, available across all three new caskets. The company is also introducing the LifeStories Memory Frame™, a customizable frame for displaying  cherished photos and mementos, and LifeStories Life Touch™ Interiors, beautifully crafted casket interiors that reflect the life and personality of a loved one. Together, these new offerings further Batesville’s legacy of helping families create meaningful and  individualized tributes.

Technology Solutions to Optimize & Grow Your Business

Batesville remains  committed to delivering technology solutions that help funeral professionals optimize their  operations and grow their businesses. From innovative digital tools to integrated platforms,  Batesville provides resources that make it easier to serve families and strengthen success. 

• Family Choices® Digital Showroom: An intuitive online tool that guides families through a personalized journey through casket, cremation, and customization options. Funeral directors can narrow choices based on families’ specific needs, show 3D renderings in real time, and integrate selections into Batesville Connect® for easy and fast ordering. 

• Batesville Connect®: A centralized hub for funeral professionals that streamlines their Batesville experience. Users get ordering, tracking, and business management tasks, making day-to-day operations more efficient.  

• Halcyon by Batesville: The advanced cloud-based management system suite now includes chain-of-custody body-tracking with QR codes, seamless integration with Express Funeral Funding for faster claims procession, and expanded API connectivity. 

Cremation – Urns and Memorialization 

• The new Gallery Series, a carefully curated selection of on-trend, décor-inspired cremation urns from Batesville, are perfect for your home or permanently displayed in a cremation niche.  

• Family Choices® Urn expansion offers families new opportunities for personalization. These urns can be customized with LifeStories® Medallions and LifeSymbols® 

• The expanded NewPointe® line introduces striking new colors and designs with the Nebula, Atlas, and Starlight collections, offering modern style at a great value. 

These new offerings reflect Batesville’s long-standing commitment to delivering products that combine craftsmanship, innovation, and personal meaning for families and loved ones.  

Visit Batesville at NFDA 

Visit Batesville at booth 815 at NFDA 2025 to experience the new products and technologies firsthand and learn how they can help drive higher satisfaction and profitability.  

The Batesville NFDA booth doubles as a fully functioning Physical and Digital Showroom that allows visitors to experience Batesville’s products firsthand. It will serve as a full immersive experience just as families would experience in your actual funeral home. The booth will feature the latest caskets and urns as well as a Family Choices® Digital Showroom where visitors can explore new tools, technologies, and personalization options. 

Batesville will also feature its Family Choices® Physical Showroom, which builds on the success of last year’s ‘Selection Room of the Future.’ Designed to be light, modern, and highly flexible, this updated showroom concept creates a welcoming environment where families can explore products and personalization options with ease. The innovative layout allows funeral professionals to adapt the showroom to the specific needs of the community. Batesville’s selection room offers a contemporary, thoughtful experience that blends tradition with modern design. 

Join us at the NFDA Welcome Party, Sponsored by Batesville 

Batesville is thrilled to co-sponsor the NFDA Welcome Party on Sunday from 6:00-8:00 PM at the House of Blues, 329 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654 

You can reconnect with friends, make some new ones, and get geared up for an amazing conference. Enjoy food, music, and engaging conversation as we kick off the 2025 NFDA Conference. 

Educational Session: Reimagining the Physical Showroom

In addition to showcasing its newest products and services, Batesville will present an educational section focused on how funeral homes can better meet the needs of today’s families. The session will be presented by  Jenn Parvin, Chief Marketing Officer of Batesville and by Devin Dardanes, Executive Vice  President of Business Development at B+N Industries. “Meeting Modern Expectations:  Redefining the Consumer Experience” will highlight strategies for blending innovation, inspiration, and affordability within the showroom setting, giving funeral professionals tools to create a more engaging, customer-focused environment. Attendees will learn how thoughtful design, modern merchandising, and flexible presentation options can not only enhance the family experience but also drive greater satisfaction and profitability for funeral homes.  

Join us on Wednesday, October 29, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM for an informative and innovative session.

ABOUT BATESVILLE SERVICES, LLC  

Batesville (www.Batesville.com) is a recognized leader in the deathcare industry in North  America, offering a comprehensive portfolio of burial and cremation products, innovative technology solutions and an unparalleled array of personalization and memorialization offerings. For more than a century, Batesville has supported deathcare professionals in helping families honor the lives of those they love. ® A history of manufacturing excellence, product innovation, superior customer service, and reliable delivery helped Batesville become – and  remain – a market leader. 

Experience + Innovation: Champion’s New Resource for Embalmers

Springfield, Ohio – August 2025 – The Champion Company, a leader in embalming innovation, proudly announces the Mortuary Masterclass—part of its Journey to Safer Solutions, delivering practical education and forward-looking resources for funeral professionals.

The Mortuary Masterclass bridges generations of funeral service expertise—pairing the wisdom of seasoned embalmers with the fresh perspectives of today’s students and new professionals. Each episode blends science, research, and real-world prep room conversation in a practical, engaging format.

“Our Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices set the standard for excellence in research publications,” said Rick Jordan, Sales Manager at The Champion Company. “Mortuary Masterclass carries that same spirit forward—only now it’s knowledge embalmers can take with them, whether in the prep room, between calls, or over morning coffee.”

Episodes cover topics from advances in chemical formulations to casework strategies for dehydration, jaundice, and decomposition. The series is available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and YouTube.

About The Champion Company

Founded in 1878, The Champion Company has led embalming innovation for nearly 150 years—advancing preservation science with safer solutions, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to education.

For more information, visit www.thechampioncompany.com.

Tribute Technology Announces Strong Start to 2025, Driven by Innovation and Digital Reach

WAUNAKEE, Wis. – Tribute Technology, the leading provider of technology solutions for the funeral and cemetery profession, announced a strong first half of 2025 with notable year-over-year growth across multiple areas of its business. The company achieved solid increases in both revenue and EBITDA, underscoring how its commitment to helping funeral professionals thrive in a digital world drives growth.

Tribute Technology’s platform continues to serve as an important connection point for families and communities during life’s most meaningful moments. In the first six months of the year, the company recorded more than 550 million obituary visits across client websites, demonstrating the scale and reach of its digital presence as families increasingly turn to online spaces to honor and remember loved ones. This digital reach was bolstered by a 9 percent increase in new funeral home websites launched year over year, expanding the number of firms able to connect with their communities online.

“Everything we do starts with the customer in mind,” said Craig Greenseid, chief executive officer at Tribute Technology. “We’re seeing real momentum across the business, and that’s thanks to the strength of our team, the clarity of our mission, the strong partnerships we’ve built with funeral professionals, and our commitment to delivering powerful technology.”

For Tribute Management Software, new systems launched increased 70 percent for the first half year over year, demonstrating Tribute Technology’s continued leadership in management software for the profession. This also reflects the platform’s expanding role in helping firms streamline operations, manage data more effectively, and provide a seamless experience for families.

Marketing services revenue increased 11 percent year-over-year, underscoring the value of these solutions in helping firms grow and connect with their communities.

Most importantly, eCommerce commissions earned by funeral homes in the first half of 2025 increased 7 percent compared to the same period last year, fulfilling Tribute Technology’s commitment to continually increase earnings for its website customers through optimization.  

Platform Enhancements to Support Funeral Professionals and Fuel Growth

Tribute Technology introduced a series of product and service enhancements in the first half of the year to improve efficiency, personalization, and digital outreach for funeral professionals. Among the highlights was the launch of Obit360, a next-generation obituary platform designed to help funeral homes and families get more value from every obituary. Obit360 offers an improved user experience, increased engagement, and easier access to event details—helping each obituary reach more people and generating increased traffic to funeral home websites. 

Strengthened Service Model and Expanded Partnerships

To better serve its clients, Tribute Technology restructured its support and account management teams, assigning a dedicated account manager to every funeral home partner. In addition, Tribute Technology expanded its partnership with Chptr to scale Tribute Spotlights—a unique feature that broadcasts death notices on local television stations, extending reach within local communities and honoring loved ones in a highly visible and meaningful way. 

Looking to the second half of 2025, Tribute Technology will continue to release AI-powered tools, introduce new features in its management software, and deliver continued enhancements across its product suite. These updates are designed to help funeral professionals operate more efficiently, grow their businesses, and strengthen their connections with families.

Tribute Technology’s strong performance in early 2025 reflects its investment in customer-driven innovation, agile product development, and its mission to help firms build trusted, modern brands within their communities.  This momentum reflects Tribute Technology’s continued growth in its customer base, expansion of its platform, increased adoption of management software and websites, and higher commissions earned by its funeral home partners.

About Tribute Technology:
Tribute Technology is dedicated to empowering funeral professionals with best-in-class technology solutions. Serving more than 9,000 end-of-life providers worldwide, Tribute Technology’s innovative software and services—including website platforms, marketing solutions, management software, online planning, memorial keepsakes, and payment processing—help funeral professionals save time and focus on supporting families.  To learn more, visit www.tributetech.com.

CANA’s 107th Cremation Innovation Convention A Success!

WHEELING, IL— The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) celebrated the 107^th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention with over 250 of its dearest friends – including 70 exhibitors – last week in Phoenix! The event attracted professionals from across funeral service and welcomed many new faces.  Participants enjoyed connecting with colleagues, viewing innovative supplier solutions, and hearing inspirational presentations.

“What a great event! The CANA Convention really delivered on the promise of providing insights and great ideas to support businesses of all kinds,” remarked Judy Olson, NGL Vice President of Sales and Business Development and elected CANA Supplier Liaison. “I always appreciate connecting and collaborating with folks I know and I made so many new connections because of the great networking environment CANA encourages. I’m already looking forward to CANA’s Symposium in February.”

Emcee Jessi Booker, Regional Vice President at National Guardian Life Company — whose appearance was sponsored by that organization—ably guided the proceedings. The CANA stage hosted several experts who helped the gathered business leaders calibrate their current company practices to flourish in the future.  

Joan Fox, President of Inspired Solutions, delivered the keynote address, asking Are You Creating or Killing Customer Loyalty? She proved that culture and customer loyalty are connected and that it really takes a change in mindset to succeed with customers and grow your business. Her methods included the development of strategies for participants to measure service.

Then, Faith Haug, Program Director of Arapahoe Community College Mortuary Science Program took a close look at Ethics in Cremation: A Colorado Case Study.  Faith offered a detailed analysis of the three pivotal Colorado cremation cases (2015-2023) that exposed significant gaps in regulations and addressed strategies for regaining public trust.

Sharing the stage for Data-Driven Digital Marketing Fundamentals, Scott Jensen, Co-owner of FirstCall Marketing, defined and explained the three steps that funeral homes owners can take to enable themselves to clearly understand if their marketing is working or not. Then, Zack Moy, Co-founder/CTO of Afterword, explored how technology can create exceptional funeral planning experiences and significantly streamline operations to promote productivity without sacrificing quality.

Succession planning and driving enterprise value should always be in our minds as owners, managers, and key stakeholders in a business. That’s why Jake Johnson, President & CEO of Johnson Consulting, showed how to Exit with Success: Succession Planning and Your Business. Jake outlined the steps to consider when developing a succession plan and communicating with frontline employees.

Regina Harrison, Director of Sales of Mount Auburn Cemetery, encouraged cemeterians—and anyone who cares about memorialization—to think more creatively and sustainably about cremation. In her session on Historic Cemeteries Facing the Future, she shared practical strategies for highlighting options for memorialization, whether you’re managing historic grounds or guiding families through end-of-life choices.

Closing with a favorite session – research – Barbara Kemmis, Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America and Chance Parker, Chief Research Officer of Fortitude Research + Marketing, presented the Cremation Practitioner Benchmarking Study. The research measured practitioners’ currently held beliefs about cremation and cremation product offerings against consumer viewpoints, providing insight into current practice and strategies to address future challenges. Look for more results of this research to be published in the coming months.

Glenda Stansbury served as celebrant for the annual In Memoriam service, recognizing family, friends, and notable people the profession lost this year. During the Annual Membership Meeting, Ryan Wiseman passed the gavel to Lindsey Ballard to lead CANA as Board President for the coming year. The Funeral Service Foundation and CANA also celebrated the attendees who won scholarships to attend the 107^th Annual Convention and Phoenix! The event made the most of the resort experience with a Golf Outing on the Estates Course, an exclusive Yoga experience, and a Walking Tour of the Historic Arizona Biltmore.

This event would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of 23 companies. From the open bar to the inspiring sessions to the 9-hole scramble to the coffee breaks that fuel us—we thank them for making this event a success!