New Structure, Same Mission: Tribute Technology’s Jules Green-Fournier on Leading the Customer-Obsessed Account Management Team

Saying that Tribute Technology has been through a lot of change over the last year or so would be an understatement. From a new Chief Executive Officer to the development of an innovative Office of the CEO leadership structure to a plethora of revolutionary product enhancements, Tribute has truly transformed and enhanced the myriad ways they serve their customers. 

Listening to and learning from customers

Much of this progress has come as a direct response to feedback from those same customers, including a newly reorganized Account Management Team, led by Vice President of Account Management Jules Green-Fournier. Since her promotion to this role in July 2025, Green-Fournier has welcomed several new members to the team, embracing the unique abilities of each one while introducing this exciting evolution to each and every Tribute customer.

“We have 18 incredible people on the team,” Green-Fournier says. “Each one brings something different — experience, creativity, empathy — but they all share one thing: a deep care for our customers. The biggest thing for me has been watching how our customers have responded to having a more consistent, personalized, dedicated person who they depend on. I’ve also loved seeing the way our team has stepped up. There is this sense of energy and ownership that’s contagious.”

More team members means that Tribute Technology customers can enjoy a revolutionary level of one-on-one support, which has already produced incredibly positive results.

“We really listened to what customers were telling us,” Green-Fournier says. “They wanted a single point of contact , someone they know by name, who understands their business and is there when they need help. This change lets us give them that. Each account manager now fully owns their relationships, which means faster responses, more proactive conversations, and a stronger connection overall.”

A proven leader in customer care

Green-Fournier is no stranger to roles where she can showcase her self-proclaimed “obsession” with building strong, lasting customer relationships within the unique world of deathcare. Over the past 15 years, she has served FrontRunner Professional as CEO and Tribute Technology as Director and, later, Vice President of Customer Success. Earlier this year she accepted her promotion to Vice President of Key Accounts, transitioning to lead Account Management just three months ago — and she’s already receiving accolades for her approach and accomplishments.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Jules this past year to implement many different Tribute programs into our organization,” says Lindsay Granson, Executive Operations, Sales & Marketing Leader at Heritage Family, which selected the Tribute platform as the preferred provider for their 66 locations in May 2025. “Jules is the first one to get creative when something comes up. We appreciate working with her everyday!”

Green-Fournier adds that other Tribute customers are also responding well to having their own dedicated account manager.

“It’s been amazing,” she says. “We’ve heard so many positive comments from customers who finally feel like they have ‘their person.’ It’s making a real difference in how supported they feel and how connected they are to Tribute. That’s exactly what we wanted — to make sure we’re truly showing up for our customers.”

Restructure leads to empowerment

Although change can always present interesting outcomes, the Account Management team transition has actually been an overwhelmingly positive experience for the company in addition to the customer base.

“Honestly, it’s been received so well,”  Green-Fournier says. “Everyone knew this was the right move, not just for Tribute, but for our customers. The team feels empowered, and there’s a renewed sense of focus and pride in what they do every day.”

When it comes to the flow of those days, Green-Fournier says that no two days are the same in Account Management, but one thing remains consistent: the entire team’s dedication to their customers.

“At the core, it’s about building relationships and solving problems,” she says. “Our account managers spend their days connecting with customers, reviewing account health, helping them get more value out of their Tribute products, and collaborating internally to move things forward. It’s part strategy, part support, part trusted advisor.”

Scaling up, looking forward

Green-Fourner believes that the reason Tribute Technology’s employees and customers are adapting so easily to the past year’s changes and transitions is because every move has fit in so well with the company’s overall mission.

“Tribute’s mission has always been about helping funeral homes serve families better,” she says. “Strengthening those one-on-one relationships with customers helps us live that mission every day. As we grow, this structure ensures we’re not just scaling — we’re scaling with care.” 

“We’re focused on deepening our customer relationships even more, really understanding what success looks like for each customer, and making sure they feel supported every step of the way. My goal is simple: that every Tribute customer feels known, supported, and confident they’ve got a true partner in us.”

Tribute Technology and Homesteaders Partner to Simplify Preneed Policy Management for Funeral Homes

Waunakee, Wisconsin – October 23, 2025 — Tribute Technology is partnering with Homesteaders Life Company, one of the most trusted names in funeral service, to make it easier for funeral homes to manage preneed policies.

The planned integration, coming in 2026, will connect Homesteaders’ policy data directly with Tribute Management Software, allowing funeral directors to see and link matching preneed policies right from a case. Policy information will update automatically each night, so directors always have the most current details without sorting through paperwork or entering data twice.

“At Homesteaders, we’re committed to offering financial support, expertise, and partnerships that bring value to funeral professionals and the families we serve together,” said Steve Shaffer, Homesteaders President, CEO and Board Chair. “This planned integration with Tribute Technology helps simplify the preneed management process, giving funeral providers easier access to the information they need so they can focus more fully on designing meaningful experiences for the families they serve.”

For funeral homes, this will mean fewer errors, faster workflows, and peace of mind knowing every available fund is captured and applied correctly. Families will benefit too, with less back-and-forth over documents and a smoother, more professional experience.

“Funeral directors carry an enormous responsibility, and every minute spent searching for paperwork is a minute taken away from serving families,” said Courtney Gould Miller, President of Commercial Markets at Tribute Technology. “This upcoming integration with Homesteaders takes something complex and makes it simple. It’s about giving time back to the professionals who give so much of themselves every day.”

This is the first of several planned integrations designed to connect Tribute Management Software with multiple preneed partners. Together, these systems will help funeral homes work more efficiently and better support the families they serve.

About Homesteaders Life Company
For nearly 120 years, Homesteaders Life Company has provided products and services to help people design a better farewell. Rooted in financial stability and a deep commitment to the funeral profession, Homesteaders partners with funeral providers of all sizes to help them grow their businesses through innovative preneed solutions.

About Tribute Technology
Tribute Technology builds technology that helps funeral professionals focus on what matters most—supporting families. Serving more than 9,000 providers worldwide, Tribute’s connected tools for management, websites, marketing, online planning, and payments simplify daily work and strengthen the relationships that matter most. Learn more at www.tributetech.com.

Graphic Caption
Through a new partnership, Tribute Technology and Homesteaders Life Company will connect preneed policy data directly to Tribute Management Software—streamlining workflows and helping funeral homes better serve families.

Batesville Sells MIS Deathcare Management Solutions Platform  

Batesville, IN – October 15, 2025 – Batesville, a leading provider of burial, cremation, and  technology solutions in North America, announced the sale of its Management Information Systems (MIS) business to PlotBox. PlotBox is a cloud-native software platform for cemetery, crematory, and funeral home management, closely aligned with the capabilities  MIS has developed.  

Effective immediately, this move enables both companies to make strategic investments aligned with their respective areas of expertise. For Batesville, it paves the way for delivering more effective and innovative solutions, particularly designed to support funeral home customers and the families they serve. 

Batesville will continue to invest in technology that streamlines operations and enhances  the planning experience for families. This includes:  

• Halcyon Deathcare Management Software, acquired in 2024, a cloud-based deathcare management platform supporting funeral homes, crematories, pet cremation, and trade services 

• The Family Choices® Digital Showroom, providing families with a consistent, personalized experience that empowers them to make confident decisions and drives stronger product sales 

• The new Remembrance Store™, an E-commerce storefront launching at NFDA, that helps funeral homes meet families’ growing preference for online shopping while creating new revenue opportunities 

“Our focus is on providing funeral professionals with solutions that make their day-to-day  operations more efficient while supporting families through every step of the planning  process.” said Chris Trainor, Batesville CEO. “By driving innovation and personalization  across burial, cremation, and technology, we are equipping funeral professionals with  practical, future-ready tools that deliver greater value to our customers and help position  them for long-term success.”  

PlotBox and Batesville are working together to ensure a seamless transition for MIS  customers, with no disruption to service or support.  

To learn more about Batesville’s burial, cremation, and technology solutions, visit  www.Batesville.com or Halcyon by Batesville at www.halcyondcms.com. 

About Batesville Services LLC  

Batesville is a recognized leader in the deathcare industry in North America, offering a  comprehensive portfolio of burial and cremation products, memorialization options and  innovative technology solutions. For more than 140 years, Batesville has supported  licensed funeral 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 trusted leader in the deathcare  industry. To learn more, please call 812.931.5084 or email Media.Inquiries@Batesville.com.

In 1956 stock analyst Warren Buffett formed what he called Buffett Partnership and in 1970 acquired a textile company called Berkshire Hathaway.  The company assumed that name and went on to become a diversified holding company with Buffett as the main stockholder and Chairman of the Board.  He’s ran that company with a “value investment” philosophy in both purchasing stock and purchasing and operating whole companies.

On Saturday at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting he announced his retirment come the end of the year.  He will have served as Chairman of the company for over 55 years at that time and will be 95 years of age.  In the meantime he has become the 5th wealthiest American according to this Forbes listing and the 5th wealthiest person in the world according to this “real-time” wealth indicator list by Forbes as of Sunday as I write this article.

Back in 2014 Buffett wrote a letter to his shareholders about what has made Berkshire Hathaway the success that it is today.  I’ve taken that letter and tried to decipher what I think it is that Buffett tries to get across about business leadership and success.  And I believe, these characteristics are universal and would apply in the Death Care business whether you are Tom Ryan, CEO of Service Corporation International (SCI) and oversee a $4 billion budget and the largest Death Care company in the world, or you operate a 40-call rural funeral home, or you operate a supply company to the industry/profession.

In my opinion, these criteria are just good, solid, business traits that any successful business needs to build value over time.

• Character — Buffett says “Character is crucial” and  “A CEO needs to be all in for the company, not for himself“.

• Calm and Decisive —  Buffett says “(A CEO) . . .has to be a rational, calm and decisive individual who has a broad understanding of business and good insights into human behavior.  It’s important as well that he knows his limits.

• Humility —  Buffett says that a CEO needs  “. . .the ability to fight off the ABCs of business decay, which are arrogance, bureaucracy and complacency.”

• Culture and Values — Buffett says “If our non-economic values were to be lost, much of Berkshire’s economic value would collapse as well. ‘Tone at the top’ will be key to maintaining Berkshire’s special culture. . . . . A CEO’s behavior has a huge impact on managers down the line. . . ”

Buffett also says that “Managing Berkshire (or any other company) is primarily a job of capital allocation, coupled with the selection and retention of outstanding managers to captain our operating subsidiaries.”

I think that statement really resonates with Death Care businesses, especially funeral homes. When one is operating a funeral home how you allocate your capital. . .whether you choose to add on to your structure, build a new structure, acquire another location, pay staff, increase benefits, or increase marketing is an extremely important decision one needs to make from time to time. . . . and, can have positive or negative consequences.

For instance, getting the allocation of capital wrong by building an additional facility which may increase the work load of staff and not giving pay or benefit increases to that staff could have dire consequences.  One needs to look at all of the options and probably get advice from your own staff and mentors so you have differing options to look at.  A new facility with a loss of well-known and well-thought of staff could become a big drain on financial resources, especially if they take with them some of the business you were counting on.

And that second point, about selecting and retention of outstanding managers is really about who you hire to carry out your business philosophies.  Again, whether you are SCI and hiring your management team or you are a single-operator firm going out to hire that first employee the choice is crucial.  It is imperative that one not make mistakes in hiring.

My experience also leads me to agree with Buffett that “Culture and Values” are extememly important.  When I began my career in owning a funeral home I had $30 between twice monthly paychecks for discretionary personal purchases.  However, our funeral home values at the time were to give unwavering personal service, to admit if we were wrong about something and refund money back if our service was not up to the level the client family expected, to serve without requiring payment — even offering free services if necessary, no questions asked, to those that could not pay, to never “up-sell” client families, and to take care of families first and worry about our business and personal situations later.

When I left the business 33 years later those were our same values and I’m of the opinion that it was those rock-solid values that built the business during those times.  Even though there were lean times at the start the foundation of never changing our values, or losing our humility and empathy as our success grew,  and providing the services that clientele expected regardless of their financial situation and our business situation, these values paid off over time.

Related — Warren Buffet Wikipedia page

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I found it interesting that when I wrote this article I started to get a thought process on why America has such political dysfunction.  I realized that “our politics” have none of the values that Buffett says are needed for building value-increasing, stable companies.

Let’s look at politics. . .

Character:  Most of us agree that character is lacking.  Most of our politicians will go against their own beliefs to simply vote with their party and stop the movement of another party or to save their own seat in Congress.  i.e. most of us believe that politicians don’t have the “Character” to stand up for their own convictions when in the minority of their party.

Calm and Decisive:  There is no way you could describe most politicians as “calm”. . . . .They are out speaking against their opponents, in whatever way possible, to try to win favor with voters. . . .it is certainly more calamity than calm.

Humility:  This speaks for itself. . . .every politician has “their” answer and will not ever give an opposition politician the compliment that “their idea might be a good one” for the country.  “Their idea” is always the best (in their own mind).

Culture and Values:  Again, this speaks for itself. . . . Over and over again each party talks about “paring the budget” when they are in power or running for office.  But when the other party suggests it, they then call it a “cutting of services”.  It’s ironic how that happens over and over and over again. . . i.e. one’s culture and values change with the leadership.  With the culture and values changing so drastically every four years (or so) at the top it is impossible to build a value oriented culture.

Maybe it would be smart if our policital leaders looked to 95-year old Warren Buffett on how to build our country for value and growth.

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

Mercy University and the Pierce Colleges of Funeral Service Sign Articulation Agreement for Operations Management Degree

This agreement enables Mercy University to offer Pierce Colleges graduates a unique  pathway to business management.    

Dobbs Ferry, New York – Today, Mercy University announced it has signed an articulation agreement with the Pierce Colleges of Funeral Service to offer a new pathway in its business program in Operations Management that aims to provide funeral service students and professionals with the skills necessary to effectively manage a funeral home or establish their own business. Through this first-of-its-kind pathway, current students and graduates with an associate’s degree in Mortuary Science can now earn a bachelor’s degree in business management in as little as 12 to 18 months. Enrolled students can earn their associate’s and bachelor’s degree concurrently or continue on to the bachelors program after graduating from the Pierce Colleges.

To learn more about Mercy’s Organizational Management: Funeral Home Management      pathway and how to apply, go to https://www.mercy.edu/academics/school-business/organizational-management-funeral-home-management.

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About Mercy University

Mercy University is an independent, coeducational institution serving more than 9,000 students each year across campuses in Westchester, the Bronx, and Manhattan, as well as online. It is a federally designated minority-serving institution and the largest private Hispanic Serving Institution in the state of New York. Mercy offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificate programs within six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The institution also provides non-credit courses and certificates for adult learners looking to acquire new skills through CERTiFi by Mercy University. Founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy, the mission of transformative education remains strong. For more information, visit www.mercy.edu.

About Pierce Colleges of Funeral Service

Pierce Mortuary Colleges have provided outstanding education to students pursuing a career in funeral science for over 54 years. Their schools are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, an agency recognized by the United States Department      of Education. Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, and Mid-America College of Funeral Service are single purpose institutions offering the Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service.  For more information, visit www.pierce.edu.

About Vector Dimensions LLC

Vector Dimensions LLC (Vector D) was formed by experienced higher education administrators and faculty consisting of a fourth-generation licensed funeral director, the grandson of a funeral director, and a business and economics professor associated with New York and Long Island universities. Formed by Brian Kasler, it seeks to provide educational pathways and instruction, and bring innovative technologies, to the fields of funeral service and mortuary science, through innovation in education and instructional course design.

Transforming Funeral and Healthcare Partnerships with the Healthcare Relationship Management CRM Platform 

Hospice Relations experts Lacy Robinson and Greg Grabowski announce the launch of the  “Healthcare Relationship Management,” an innovative Customer Relationship Management  (CRM) platform specifically designed for funeral providers. The Healthcare Relationship Management platform is poised to transform how funeral providers work with local hospice  and healthcare providers, focusing on delivering compassionate service and improving  operational efficiency. 

The Healthcare Relationship Management CRM platform offers funeral providers a  comprehensive tool to organize and maintain vital hospice and other healthcare connections.  This allows the funeral provider to focus more on establishing meaningful partnerships,  delivering compassionate care and less on administrative tasks.  

Key Features of the Healthcare Relationship Management Platform:  

Comprehensive Data Management: Users can conveniently import hospice directories from up  to two states of their choosing to ensure immediate access to vital contacts and resources  immediately. 

User-Friendly Dashboard: Simplifies navigation and is accessible to users of all technical  abilities. 

Enhanced Team Collaboration: Supports multiple user management for improved teamwork  and data sharing within the funeral company. 

Intuitive Tracking Tools: Allows for logging interactions, tracking progress, and maintaining  detailed notes with hospice personnel and care team members. 

Data Insights: Visual tools like pie charts provide quick insights into service and disposition  trends and preferences by families who have received hospice care. 

Resourceful Guides and Scripts: Offers downloadable guides, scripts to elevate conversations,  and sample collateral materials to help save time in creating customized materials. 

Greg Grabowski, co-creator of the CRM platform, shared his insights: “Over the years in  working with funeral providers, it became clear to Lacy and I that a custom-tailored CRM was  needed to bridge the gap between funeral providers and hospice services effectively. Our goal  was to create a tool that s the administrative and enhances the quality of care provided.” 

Lacy Robinson added, “Our platform goes beyond basic CRM functionalities by offering  downloadable guides, scripts, and samples of collateral materials, adding a level of  convenience and confidence when making meaningful connections.”

The Healthcare Relationship Management is now available for funeral providers seeking to  enhance their partnerships with hospice and healthcare companies. For more information or to  schedule a demo, please visit https://www.hospiceinsights.com/funeral 

On December 9th, Greg and Lacy will facilitate a comprehensive seven-hour workshop titled  Leveraging the Hospice Tipping Point at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling,  Illinois. This event is an invaluable opportunity for funeral service professionals to deepen their  understanding of hospice care and its integration with funeral services. Attendees will not only  gain critical insights but will also receive one month of complimentary access to the innovative  Healthcare Management System. Visit www.hospiceadvisors.com to register for Leveraging the  Hospice Tipping Point. 

About Lacy Robinson and Greg Grabowski: 

Lacy Robinson and Greg Grabowski are pioneers in helping funeral service professionals  enhance their partnerships with hospice providers and authors of the book “Engaging the  Heart of Hospice”. They are committed to developing tools that support compassionate and  effective service delivery. Their combined expertise has driven the creation of “Healthcare  Relationship Management,” a CRM platform designed to meet the unique needs of funeral  providers. 

PlotBox Reveals Expanded Range of Financial Management Tools for Deathcare Providers

March 2024: Leading deathcare management solutions provider PlotBox has unveiled its new suite of financial tools and applications, designed specifically to meet the unique needs of cemetery, crematory, and funeral home operators.

From payment processing to trust fund management, this complete financial platform is accessed from within PlotBox’s existing solution, boasting direct financial API integrations with an ever-growing library of up to 20 leading accounting platforms, including QuickBooks, Xero and NetSuite.

With PlotBox Pay, customers will have access to the industry’s most innovative payment technology with simple, secure, and reliable payment processing that includes automated ACH and card payments to streamline and enhance customer service.

PlotBox CEO Sean McAllister said, “PlotBox’s digital financial management offering has grown.  We all know how challenging month-ends and audits can be, and with the PlotBox Financial Management Suite, we’re helping to take the headache out of finances.

In listening to our customers, it was clear that there was a real need for an all-encompassing solution that would help them to overcome the complexities of their financial processes.  We were hearing loud and clear, the pains of manual workarounds, the risks and liabilities associated with errors and inaccurate data, and of course, time lost due to the lack of a dedicated finance system to bring everything together.

Our aim was to provide a means of streamlining and simplifying financial processes, along with the flexibility to integrate the PlotBox solution with their current accounting platforms.  And we’re not finished here, this is a key focus of our product roadmap and we will continue to innovate, creating new financial management products that will allow deathcare operators to provide the best possible service to their families.”

Click here to learn more.

About PlotBox

PlotBox is the innovative cloud-based digital deathcare management solution that enables cemeteries, crematories, and funeral homes of every size to serve better, save time, increase revenue, reduce risk, and sustain long-term growth.  The essentials of deathcare management seamlessly integrated into a single, easy-to-use platform for more streamlined processes and increased efficiencies, with exceptional customer support local to you.

Our financial management suite provides seamless financial API integrations with a growing library of up to 20 leading accounting platforms, including QuickBooks, Xero and NetSuite.  Fully scalable and with a range of pricing and package options, PlotBox can grow as you do, ensuring you get the best value right from day one, all while investing in your future.

Headquartered in Northern Ireland, with on-the-ground representatives in the United States and Australia, our 100-strong multidisciplinary team of experts provides the same professional levels of service and satisfaction across the globe.