Better Than a Dating App: A Match Made in the Mortuary

The charming little town of Pinhalzinho, Brazil—population just around 2,800—was the perfect setting for an adorable meet-cute … in the local funeral home. Yes, this is a love story that blossomed amid funeral flowers, masses of mourners, and dozens of corpses. 

Meet Daniela Signor, a 33‑year‑old funeral crasher with a heart full of hope, and Apollo Scariot, the 31‑year‑old deathcare professional who stole it.

Love at First Sight

Back in April 2023, Daniela attended a funeral—one of many she’d been to before. But this time, her eye wandered from the casket and found Apollo, who was directing the service. Alas, Apollo was so focused on the tasks at hand that he barely noticed her.

Not one to give up, Daniela came up with an unusual plan to meet Apollo: she would attend funerals roughly every three months, all in hopes of catching his eye . To an outsider, this might seem unusual—after all, funerals aren’t common dating venues—but Pinhalzinho was such a small town that her consistent presence wasn’t unexpected. Daniela blended in with the other guests, and no one was ever aware that she didn’t actually know the deceased.

“I don’t like funerals. At all,” Daniela admitted. “I used to think, ‘I’ll give the family a hug just so I can see him,’ you know? But he wasn’t always there.”

Catching the Undertaker’s Attention

Despite her hit-or-miss, slightly stalky approach, Daniela’s persistence eventually paid off. After nearly two years—and dozens of services—Apollo finally noticed Daniela among the mourners. When they began talking, she confessed her elaborate plan, and he was taken aback. “Wait, how did I never notice you before?” Apollo wondered.

Soon what began as intentional glimpses became heartfelt conversation. By summer 2024, they began dating—and in May 2025, they were married.

Wedding Entrance to Remember

Their wedding was far from ordinary. Daniela made her grand entrance in a hearse—the very same vehicle Apollo used for his work. Painted on the back window was a playful banner:
“’Til death do us part.”

Guests were initially stunned, but during the ceremony, the couple shared their unique love story. “Everyone at the wedding was shocked,” Daniela recalled, “but during our vows, we explained everything—we read out our story. Then people understood why I arrived in the hearse.”

Apollo admitted he never expected the attention, saying, “Funerals are simply a part of our story… We decided to arrive in the hearse from my company because it’s part of our story—how we met.” 

A Send-Off You Can Smile About

Daniela and Apollo’s wedding might not be your typical ceremony—but it’s a story that reminds us how human, creative, and deeply meaningful the journey through grief and closure can be.

To the funeral directors, staff, and care teams reading this: remember, your work isn’t limited to sorrow. You are witnesses to resilience, love, and unexpected joy. And sometimes, you are even a part of setting the stage for a love story that begins at a farewell and ends in a happily ever after.

So the next time someone mentions attending “too many funerals,” maybe you can say:
“Well, sometimes they lead to the start of something beautiful.”

Gift Match Challenge Issued by Tribute Technology Helps Trust Raise More Than $50,000

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL — November 4, 2024 — Thanks in part to a generous donation match challenge issued
by Tribute Technology, the Selected Educational Trust raised more than $40,000 in donations from Selected member firms, individuals, and supporting organizations between August 16 and September 30, 2024. Combined with Tribute Technology’s pledge to match donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000, these gifts brought the donation total to more than $50,000!

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the incredible response to the Gift Match Challenge,” said Courtney Gould Miller, President of Commercial Markets at Tribute Technology. At Tribute Technology, we deeply support this profession’s future, and it’s truly inspiring to see so many people stand alongside us to make a difference. Each donation represents a shared commitment to this cause, and we are genuinely grateful to everyone who joined us in making an impact. Thank you for being part of something so meaningful!”

“We are incredibly grateful to Tribute Technology for their generous support,” said Stefanie Favia, Executive Director of the Selected Educational Trust. “This matching challenge not only amplifies the impact of our donors but also reinforces our mission to ensure that independent funeral service professionals have access to vital resources. Together, we are helping to shape the future of our profession.”

With these funds, the Selected Educational Trust will continue its important work of empowering funeral service professionals to thrive in their careers and better serve their communities. This includes connecting independent funeral homes with the next generation of the profession and providing scholarships and progressive skill development training for funeral service professionals at all stages of their career.

For more information about the Selected Educational Trust, visit www.selectedtrust.org or contact Stefanie Favia at stefanie@selectedtrust.org.

About the Selected Educational Trust

The mission of the Selected Educational Trust (www.selectedtrust.org) is to provide the best educational opportunities for the advancement and support of all who work within the independent funeral service profession. To fulfill this mission, the Trust provides programs which offer scholarships to mortuary science students and funeral service professionals, online education through its Institute for Exceptional Funeral Service powered by National Guardian Life Insurance Company (www.funeral-institute.org) and networking and employment opportunities through its Workforce Development Centers.

About Tribute Technology

Tribute Technology’s mission is to bring the best technology to all funeral homes, to help communities around the world celebrate life, and to pay tribute to loved ones. Over 9,000 end-of-life providers use Tribute Technology’s software and product offerings, including websites, marketing services, management software, and more. Tribute Technology is focused on helping funeral directors save time on tasks, so they can focus more on connecting with families. Our mission is to give funeral directors everything they need to run their business in one place.