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.

Tukios Introduces “New Horizon Obituary Template,” A Modern Way to Honor a Life

Ogden, UT – November 5, 2025 — Tukios, a leader in funeral technology solutions, is proud to announce the launch of the New Horizon Obituary Template, the latest addition to its suite of online memorial tools. This thoughtfully designed template provides families with a fresh, modern way to celebrate a life well lived while ensuring the person being remembered remains the focal point.

The New Horizon Template features a full-screen video presentation, giving it a cinematic, personal touch that draws attention to the decedent. The clean, contemporary design enhances the tribute experience, allowing families to share memories in a way that feels both intimate and visually engaging.

Designed to Complement the New Video Obituary Cover Art
In addition to the full-screen layout, the New Horizon Template pairs beautifully with Tukios’ new video obituary cover art. This cohesive design element ensures that the obituary and video tribute seamlessly complement each other. With multiple stock video options to choose from, funeral homes can easily customize each obituary to suit the unique tone and personality of the service.

Simple Activation with Support from the Tukios Team
Due to the template’s new features, the New Horizon Obituary Template requires initial activation by the Tukios team. Once enabled, it integrates seamlessly into a funeral home’s existing Tukios workflow, ensuring it’s just as easy to use as the current obituary templates. To get started, funeral homes can reach out to their Tukios account manager or contact the Tukios support team at tukios.com or by phone at (801) 682-4391.

Supporting Families in Meaningful Ways
The New Horizon Template helps families reflect on and celebrate their loved one’s life with dignity and respect. By providing a beautiful, personalized space to share memories, this template elevates the online tribute experience and creates a meaningful environment for visitors to reflect on treasured moments.

Availability
The New Horizon Obituary Template is available at no additional cost for funeral homes hosting their websites with Tukios. Funeral professionals can reach out to their Tukios account manager to learn more about this exciting new feature.

About Tukios
Tukios creates software to improve funerals. Their innovative platform powers thousands of funeral home websites, stunning video tributes, and streamlined e-commerce experiences. Tukios is known for leading the profession in AI technology, offering tools that simplify day-to-day tasks, elevate the online experience, and keep funeral homes visible and relevant in an ever-changing digital landscape. Whether it’s a family visiting a website or an AI assistant helping with funeral arrangements, Tukios ensures your story is told clearly and beautifully every time.

PlotBox Acquires MIS, Strengthening U.S. Market Position and Expanding Access to Modern Deathcare Solutions

BOSTON, MA & BATESVILLE, IN – October 15, 2025 – PlotBox, a leading cloud-native platform for cemetery and funeral home management, announced it has acquired HMIS (also known as MIS) from Batesville.

MIS was acquired by Batesville in 2012. This acquisition expands PlotBox’s presence in the United States and gives MIS customers a partner focused on modern solutions for deathcare operators.

MIS is a management platform serving funeral and cemetery operators across North America, streamlining operations from first call through aftercare. The software unifies case management, scheduling, arrangements, billing, and reporting, with integrations for accounting, payments, and partner tools.

The announcement follows a year of strategic growth for PlotBox, including a new investment from Serent Capital, the launch of enhanced e-commerce and operational automation capabilities, and a much-anticipated entry into the funeral home segment. 

The addition of MIS customers aligns with PlotBox’s broader mission to help deathcare providers simplify workflows, improve transparency, and deliver better experiences for the families they serve.

“At PlotBox, we believe funeral and cemetery professionals deserve technology that meets the complexity of their work and supports their commitment to service,” said Sean McAllister, CEO of PlotBox. “We are excited to welcome MIS customers and provide them with the innovation, reliability, and partnership they need to operate with confidence.”

PlotBox is committed to providing exceptional service and support to the MIS customer base while also giving customers access to PlotBox’s full software suite, which integrates mapping, records, sales, finance, inventory, and reporting into a single cloud-based system. The platform is used by a growing number of cemeteries, crematories, and funeral homes to streamline daily operations and scale with evolving business needs.

PlotBox will feature its expanded funeral offering at the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo in Chicago, October 26-29, 2025, where attendees can engage with the team, explore product capabilities, and hear from operators using PlotBox to modernize their operations.

About PlotBox

PlotBox is a leading cloud-native software solution for cemeteries, funeral homes, and crematories. It’s an all-in-one platform that combines mapping, records, sales, inventory, finance, and analytics in one intuitive system. PlotBox helps deathcare organizations simplify operations, improve performance, and better serve their communities. The company supports customers across North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Learn more at www.plotbox.com

About Serent Capital

Serent Capital is a growth-focused private equity firm that invests in founder-led, technology and tech-enabled service businesses. With deep expertise in software, Serent partners with high-potential companies to drive growth through strategic and operational support. Founded in 2008, Serent has supported more than 60 companies across sectors including healthcare, education, government, and business services. Learn more at www.serentcapital.com 

Tukios Introduces “Photo Gallery,” A Modern Way to Share Memories

Ogden, UT – September 26, 2025 — Tukios, a leader in funeral technology solutions, is proud to announce the launch of an updated Photo Gallery feature, designed to give families a more meaningful and uplifting way to honor their loved ones online.

This introduces two new updated fresh, modern designs to choose from. These are located under the obituary section, allowing visitors to easily browse cherished images and relive memories through a beautifully presented gallery.

The updated Photo Gallery feature brings both style and substance to the online tribute experience. Photos beneath each obituary now appear in an elegant, refreshed format that brings memories to life. Visitors can then click “See More” to expand the gallery and browse additional images. Families and funeral homes can choose from three newly updated gallery styles, giving each memorial page a layout that best reflects the tone and personality of the tribute.

For funeral homes, the feature provides a modern look and feel that elevates the overall appearance of websites with a clean, contemporary design. It also integrates seamlessly, automatically updating under the obituary section without requiring additional setup. Tukios website users now have the ability to go onto any obituary and custom select which gallery style appears, offering greater flexibility and personalization. These features are created to put funeral homes at the center, giving them easy-to-use tools that allow them to serve families with confidence and care.

For families, the gallery offers more than just aesthetics, it creates a meaningful space to celebrate the life of their loved one through pictures. Each layout is designed to present memories in a respectful and uplifting way, ensuring that every image is displayed tastefully. Together, these updates make it easier for funeral homes to serve families with warmth while giving visitors a comforting place to reflect on treasured moments.

Supporting Families in Meaningful Ways

The Photo Gallery helps families reflect on their loved one’s story with dignity and warmth. By presenting images in a thoughtful, visually engaging format, this feature ensures that memories remain central to the online tribute experience.

Availability

The Photo Gallery feature is available at no additional cost for funeral homes hosting their websites with Tukios. Funeral professionals can reach out to their Tukios account manager to learn more.

About Tukios

Tukios creates software to improve funerals. Their innovative platform powers thousands of funeral home websites, stunning video tributes, and streamlined e-commerce experiences. Tukios is known for leading the profession in AI technology, offering tools that simplify day-to-day tasks, elevate the online experience, and keep funeral homes visible and relevant in an ever-changing digital landscape. Whether it’s a family visiting a website or an AI assistant looking for answers, Tukios ensures your story is told clearly and beautifully every time.

Historic Cemeteries, Modern Opportunities

CANA Convention Highlights Cremation Memorialization with Mount Auburn’s Regina Harrison

As it has steadily become the most popular form of disposition in the US and Canada, cremation has an unearned reputation as a no-frills alternative to burial. Members of the Cremation Association of North America(CANA)believe this could not be further from the truth. They know cremation offers opportunity for creativity and personalization, even in the most historic spaces. At CANA’s 107th Annual Cremation Innovation Convention in Phoenix this August 6-8, 2025,you can see how Mount Auburn Cemetery is seizing this cultural moment to think creatively and sustainably about cremation as permanent memorialization—and communicate this to the families it serves.

Founded in 1831,Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, pre-dates the use of modern cremation–but that doesn’t mean the organization has been restrained by past tradition. In her session, Historic Cemeteries Facing the Future(sponsored by Passages International), Mount Auburn’s Director of Sales, Regina Harrison, shares how the cemetery offers a wide selection of cremation burial options. These range from simple, unmarked direct-earth interment to centrally located premium graves, meeting a variety of customer needs and budgets. She’ll show you how these solutions can work for you and your families, too.

“Memorialization is a deeply personal choice, and there are many reasons why a family might have chosen to set a monument, to share a monument with others, or to forego a monument altogether,” Regina notes. “People are often surprised that historic cemeteries still have space available, but the growing popularity of cremation provides the perfect opening to introduce unique burial and memorialization opportunities.”

With over 15 years at Mount Auburn Cemetery. Regina’s background in anthropology and natural preservation informs her service to families and engagement with the community. She leads cultural change by bringing her experience on meeting customer needs and enhancing cemetery landscape, balancing ideas about sustainability and grave maintenance with the concept of perpetuity. She will share preliminary results of Mount Auburn’s research into the impact of various forms of disposition, burial, and memorialization as they look to the future.

Finding creative solutions for your organization’s continued growth takes center stage in every session:

• In the keynote, Joan Fox, President of Inspired Solutions, asks Are You Creating or Killing Customer Loyalty?, and shares why customer satisfaction is an inadequate goal, how company culture and customer loyalty are connected, and what strategies measure customer loyalty to grow your business.
• Take a close look at Ethics in Cremation: A Colorado Case Study with Faith Haug, Program Director of Arapahoe Community College Mortuary Science Program, and explore three pivotal cremation cases and how they directly influenced Colorado’s funeral service laws and public trust.
• Two experts take the stage to share Data-Driven Digital Marketing Fundamentals with advice to build your business. Scott Jensen, Co-owner of FirstCall Marketing, offers Steps to Take to Know If Your Marketing is Working or Not. Then, Zack Moy, Co-founder/CTO of Afterword, guides you through The Efficient Funeral Home: A Data-Driven Look at Technology Implementation.
• Succession planning and driving enterprise value should always be top of mind, so Jake Johnson, President & CEO of Johnson Consulting, will show how to Exit with Success: Succession Planning and Your Business.
• Barbara Kemmis, Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America and Chance Parker, Chief Research Officer of Fortitude Research + Marketing, present the Cremation Practitioner Benchmarking Study of insights into current practice and provides strategies to address future challenges.

Changing Perceptions: Overcoming Legacy.com Myths and Embracing the Modern Platform

For years, Legacy.com sat at the center of intense discussions among funeral directors. Some professionals praised its large audience and robust obituary tools, while others questioned whether the platform diverted traffic and flower sales away from local funeral homes. As technology and consumer expectations evolve, Legacy.com has revamped its offerings—particularly through Legacy Pro Business—to serve as a supportive partner rather than a competitor.

Below, we’ll debunk the most common misconceptions about Legacy.com and highlight how the new, modern approach benefits funeral homes, families, and communities alike.

1. Myth: Legacy.com Steals Funeral Home Web Traffic

The Concern: Families would land on Legacy.com to read an obituary, spend their time browsing guest books or memorial pages, and never visit the funeral home’s official site. This meant lost engagement, fewer opportunities to educate families on services, and less exposure to brand values.

The Reality: Legacy Pro Business’ updated model ensures that each obituary effectively funnels traffic back to the funeral home’s website.

• Premium Business Listings connect directly to your online home. Visitors see multiple backlinks pointing to your site—links to read the full obituary, send flowers, or learn more about your services.
• SEO Advantages arise from Legacy.com’s high domain authority, helping funeral home websites rank higher in local searches. Every click from Legacy.com to your site boosts organic visibility and brand recognition.

The end result is a win-win: You retain your rightful website traffic while benefiting from Legacy.com’s vast online audience.

2. Myth: Legacy.com Poaches Flower Orders and Profits

The Concern: Legacy.com’s advertising for sympathy flowers supposedly undercut local florist arrangements that funeral homes might otherwise sell directly to families.

The Reality: Today, Legacy Pro Business allows you to integrate your own florist of choice, ensuring families order from a trusted, community-based vendor. No more third-party redirection that excludes the funeral home’s preferred florist.

• Local Florist Promotion: Whether you have a partnership with one florist or multiple, you decide which shops display on the obituary’s flower-ordering platform.
• Revenue-Sharing Options: For homes that rely on direct floral commissions, Legacy Pro Business offers offers competitive revenue share. This means every transaction can help support your local business—and keeps you in control of the floral experience.

By removing the barrier that previously diverted flower sales, Legacy Pro Business hands control back to funeral homes and protects an important part of your revenue stream.

3. Myth: Automatic “Death Notices” Confuse Families

The Concern: Legacy.com used to auto-generate short death notices even if the funeral home or family hadn’t submitted an obituary. This sometimes created confusion or led to families contacting the funeral director about inaccurate or incomplete listings.

The Reality: Legacy Pro Business has eliminated the automatic posting of partial, unauthorized notices. Now, only funeral homes that opt into the Legacy network have their obituaries displayed, ensuring accurate and timely information.

• Direct Control: You decide which obituaries go live and when. If you update a service time or correct a detail, that change syncs across the Legacy network.
• Community Pages: These local or topic-based hubs (e.g., “Boston Remembers,” “Northwestern Alumni”) show the funeral home’s listing front and center, with no confusion about who is providing the service details.

This shift has helped build trust among funeral directors and families alike, reducing frustration and ensuring a consistent presentation of each person’s life story.

4. Transparency and Monthly Performance Reports

A huge part of Legacy Pro Business’s redesign involves transparency: funeral homes receive detailed reports each month that highlight how many visitors clicked from Legacy.com to their sites, how many entered the guest book, sent flowers, or interacted with other online features.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Armed with this performance data, you can make informed marketing moves—like adjusting your social media strategy or reevaluating how you highlight flowers and memorial gifts.
• Monitoring Competitors: Some plans include “obit data” to keep an eye on your market. Compare call volumes and obituary postings against others in your region, no more manually combing through newspapers or websites.

With Legacy Pro Business, there’s no secret ledger. You see, in black-and-white numbers, the exact value of your partnership every month.

5. A Risk-Free Way to Test the Waters

Still on the fence? Legacy Pro Business offers both a free version and a paid version, so you can see how their platform complements your existing online presence.

• Free Model: Display your obituaries on Legacy.com so families can easily find service information. You’ll gain basic referral traffic and brand visibility at zero cost.
• Paid Upgrades: Access additional benefits like advanced performance reports, local florist integration, competitor data, and extensive backlinking. This leads to a bigger online footprint and stronger connections with families.

Many funeral homes discover that once they try Legacy Pro Business, the traffic boost and streamlined obituary control make the paid features well worth the investment. If it doesn’t align with your strategy, you can always cancel without lingering contractual obligations.

6. Embracing the New Legacy

Change can be daunting, but in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, a streamlined, partnership-driven obituary platform is a valuable ally. Legacy Pro Business’s modern features empower funeral professionals to:

• Retain and even grow website traffic.
• Protect and enhance local flower sales.
• Control how and when obituaries appear online.
• Access transparent metrics on a monthly basis.
• Build deeper connections with community members who might otherwise miss important service details.

At the end of the day, this evolution from “Old Legacy” to “New Legacy” means one thing: funeral homes have more control and more opportunities to support grieving families in a transparent, community-focused way.

Conclusion

Longstanding myths often overshadow new innovations. With Legacy Pro Business, funeral directors can now see—tangibly and numerically—how a modern obituary platform drives traffic, fosters stronger community ties, and preserves valuable revenue opportunities. If you’ve been hesitant because of past experiences or rumors, consider taking advantage of the free version or scheduling a demo to see the changes for yourself. You may just find that Legacy Pro Business is the supportive digital partner your funeral home has been seeking all along.

Precoa Marks 20 Years of Defining Modern Preneed

PORTLAND, Ore. – Precoa, a national leader in preneed sales and marketing, is marking 20 years of defining modern preneed. 

The company was founded in 2004 by Bret Davis and Mark Hornibrook, who noticed that while families were interested in preplanning, funeral homes often struggled to consistently turn interest into action. They envisioned a tightly integrated program that tied together the whole preneed pipeline, from generating leads to setting appointments to prearranging families. They called this innovation ProActive Preneed®, and 20 years later, there’s never been anything like it.

“Over the years many funeral homes have talked about our model and performance numbers, but it’s our people that really set us apart,” said Michael Hornibrook, President and CEO of Precoa. “It’s because of their passion and dedication to continuously progressing that we’re able to support our partners and make a difference in the lives of so many families. For that, I’m truly thankful.”

Precoa was founded on three core values: kindness, progression, and craftsmanship. This, coupled with the vision to prearrange all families in America, has resulted in more than 5.5. million quality leads, over 2.2 million preneed appointments set, and over 850,000 prearranged families. Through its proactive approach to preneed, the company has built a reputation for routinely doubling and sustaining preneed volume for thousands of funeral home rooftops nationwide. 

“Over the past twenty years, Precoa has defined the modern era of preneed through industry-defining innovations,” said Tyler Anderson, senior vice president of Business Development. “Not just the innovations that first come to mind like the Funeral Planning Center and digital marketing, but the data and technology that ties it all together as a completely integrated system. Now the speed at which Precoa innovates is moving faster than ever so our partners can meet the demand of tomorrow’s customers and prearrange more families.” 

“What’s amazing is that Precoa today is as unique as it was twenty years ago,” said Hornibrook. “We brought preneed marketing, appointment setting, and sales all under one roof and believed in our process so much that we directly invested on our partners’ behalf. From the beginning, we’ve set the pace for preneed performance, and we’ve been advancing the quality and effectiveness of our model ever since. I’m thankful for how many families we’ve prearranged and for the meaningful partnerships and friendships we’ve made along the way. I’m excited about what the future has in store.”

About Precoa 

Instead of letting the trauma of loss close people off, Precoa believes we are all connected and can help each other achieve profound healing. Working side by side with leading funeral homes, Precoa shares the value of pre-planning with families across the nation. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon since its founding in 2004, Precoa employs over 350 employees, plus a network of more than 1,000 independent preneed agents, all passionately focused on one thing: helping people plan today so their families can focus on connection when they need it most. To learn more, please visit precoa.com.

As families explore end-of-life arrangements, cremation has emerged as a practical and meaningful option. For many, it offers flexibility, affordability, and an opportunity to create personalized memorials that celebrate the unique lives of loved ones. Understanding modern cremation options, including direct cremation, is essential for making informed decisions that align with your family’s needs. Providers like St. Louis Cremation specialize in guiding families through these choices with compassion and expertise. Whether you’re considering a simple approach or planning a memorial service, cremation service St. Charles, MO families trust can be tailored to honor every individual.

Exploring the Benefits of Cremation

Cremation offers families an alternative to traditional burial, providing flexibility in how and when they choose to memorialize their loved ones. Direct cremation, in particular, is a straightforward process where the body is cremated shortly after death without preceding ceremonies. This option allows families to organize a personalized memorial at a later time that reflects their loved one’s life and values. Additionally, cremation is often considered an environmentally friendly option due to reduced land use compared to traditional burials. It also enables families to select unique methods for preserving or scattering remains, offering creative ways to keep the memory of their loved ones alive.

Personalizing the Memorial Experience

The ability to personalize a memorial is one of the most significant advantages of cremation. Families can hold ceremonies at meaningful locations, create keepsakes, or even incorporate remains into artwork or jewelry. For those planning memorial services, cremation provides an opportunity to design an experience that feels authentic and true to their loved one’s spirit. Families often choose to combine traditional elements, such as eulogies and religious rituals, with more contemporary practices like video tributes or musical performances. The versatility of cremation makes it easier to celebrate a loved one’s individuality in creative and heartfelt ways.

Planning for Cremation Services

Choosing cremation involves several decisions, including selecting the type of service and arrangements for memorialization. Families may opt for a simple cremation with a private gathering or a more elaborate ceremony that brings together friends and family for collective healing. Working with an experienced provider ensures all details are handled with care, from legal documentation to arranging memorial events. Preplanning is another option that allows individuals to express their wishes and reduce the burden on their families. It also offers peace of mind, ensuring that personal preferences are honored without added stress during an emotional time.

Choosing a Provider You Can Trust

The right cremation provider will prioritize transparency, compassion, and respect for families’ unique needs. Trustworthy providers emphasize clear pricing with no hidden fees, ensuring families feel confident in their choice. They also maintain high standards of care throughout the process, offering guidance and support every step of the way. The commitment to affordable and dignified services reflects their dedication to helping families navigate their journey with confidence and peace of mind. They strive to make the process seamless while focusing on meaningful experiences for all involved.

Supporting Families Through Compassionate Care

Cremation is more than a practical decision; it’s a deeply personal choice that reflects a family’s values and wishes. Providers like St. Louis Cremation help families honor their loved ones with modern cremation options tailored to their needs. Whether you’re planning a simple service or creating a unique memorial, their team is here to offer guidance and support. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you plan a meaningful cremation service St. Charles, MO families rely on for compassionate care.

There are lots of ideas how a new, contemporary, 21st Century physical funeral establishment should look like and function.  I don’t think anybody knows exactly what that is, or even if there is a one-size fits all best practices solution to the question.

However, it is probably a fair assumption that like in a lot of smaller communities today, a two-story remodeled home with the funeral facilities located on the first floor and the funeral home owner family living on the second floor is not the concept that will be moving forward and gaining the business of today’s and tomorrow’s future Death Care cosumers.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

I think it is interesting to think outside-the-box and dream, imagine, and envision what the future of Death Care physical public facilities will look like in the next decade or farther down the road.  When I think of the possibilities I think of a Death Care functioning world that will have less casketed, embalmed, viewed burials.  I think of a Death Care consumer world where new disposition options such as Natural Organic Reduction, Alkaline hydrolysis, and green burials have a growing influence.  I also think of the growing hospitality function of Death Care as places of celebrations and meals.

When you think in those terms it is obvious that facilities will be different from the historical funeral homes that have been modeled with prepartion rooms and arrangement rooms as a central feature of the buildings.

One of the most unique new Death Care operations I have followed over the past couple of years is a company in North Carolina known as Endswell – A Modern Funeral Home.  You can see their website here.

As you can read from this article from The News of Orange County (NC), Endswell began two years ago as a facility to promote and use alkaline hydrolysis exclusively.  The linked article tells the reader that now, two years in, Endswell is becoming a “full service” funeral home and adding a branch location.  The article points out that this expansion comes on the heels of the firm having “helped 300 families with its services” since that time.

The article also makes this statement:

“Any stereotypical perception of a funeral home is immediately washed away the moment you set foot into the Hillsborough Endswell. The space is open and serene and appointed with art and modern furniture. A huge selection of urns, most of them handmade by regional artists, are artfully displayed on shelving. Visitors can talk with staff on sofas or at a large table that is often decorated with cut flowers arranged in small, glass vases. The main room is ideal for intimate or large gatherings.”

Endswell is owned by the husband and wife team of Hunter and Veronica Beattie.  Here’s a quotation from Hunter found in the linked article, “Increasingly, what we’ve realized is, we want Endswell to offer resources and education for the community.  We have yoga classes, meditation groups, grief groups. We don’t want the funeral home to be this creepy place that you interact with only once in your life.”

Here is the website for Endswell.  When you look at the website, under “Funeral Services” the following options are listed:

• Aquamation
• Cremation
• Green Burial
• Anatomical Gifts

One of the very interesting items I noticed on the company’s posted General Price List (GPL) from its website is this statement which comes under the “Preparation of Remains”:  “Embalming is not required by law. Endswell does not provide embalming services but we do receive embalmed remains.”

That statement in itself is a telling tale of how “funeral homes” have changed.  Twenty years ago would we have seen a funeral home that does not provide embalming services?

Related Article — “With new construction, a new approach to the funeral business”  Maine Biz (ME)

Here are some websites for newer, non-traditional funeral homes that Funeral Director Daily has been following:

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

In recent years, the popularity of cremation as a preferred method of memorializing loved ones has surged, dramatically transforming traditional funeral practices. As part of this shift, the integration of cremation keepsakes into memorial services has become increasingly common. Particularly in Henrietta, NY cremation services
, families are seeking unique and personalized ways to honor those they have lost.

The Changing Landscape of Memorialization

The shift towards cremation has brought with it an evolution in how we commemorate the departed. Traditional burials often centered around cemeteries and gravestones, providing a fixed point for remembrance. However, cremation keepsakes introduce a more flexible, personalized approach to memorialization. From jewelry to custom art pieces and even biodegradable urns that promote tree growth, cremation keepsakes allow families to carry a piece of their loved ones with them, quite literally, wherever they go.

This move towards personalized memorials reflects broader societal changes. As families become more geographically dispersed, the desire for a single, static memorial location diminishes. Cremation keepsakes fit seamlessly into the modern lifestyle, offering mobility, personalization, and a means to keep loved ones close in a tangible way.

Unique Keepsake Options

One of the fascinating aspects of cremation keepsakes
is the diverse array of options available today. Glass ornamental items, for example, can incorporate the cremains into stunning pieces of art, capturing and reflecting light in ways that can bring comfort to those grieving. Similarly, memorial jewelry like rings and necklaces can encase a small amount of cremation remains, allowing individuals to keep their loved ones close daily.

There are also eco-friendly options that are gaining popularity. For instance, some services offer to turn cremains into coral reefs or biodegradable urns that can grow into a tree. These options not only provide a unique way to remember a loved one but also contribute positively to the environment, creating a living legacy.

Moreover, these innovative keepsakes provide a sense of control and involvement in the memorial process. Families can choose the design, material, and even the function of the keepsake, making it a truly unique tribute that reflects the personality and preferences of the deceased.

Emotional and Practical Benefits

Cremation
keepsakes offer both emotional and practical benefits. For many, the ability to keep a loved one close by can provide immense comfort during the grieving process. This closeness can help with emotional healing, as keepsakes often serve as gentle reminders of the continuing presence of the deceased in the lives of those left behind.

On a practical level, cremation keepsakes are versatile. They can be shared among family members, ensuring that everyone has a personal memento. They also bypass the challenges associated with maintaining a traditional gravesite, such as frequent visits and upkeep, which can be physically and emotionally draining for some.

Additionally, the affordability of cremation compared to traditional burial presents an economic benefit. While the focus remains on honoring the deceased, it’s undeniable that many families find comfort in knowing they can commemorate their loved ones without enduring financial strain.

In conclusion, as the trends in memorial practices evolve, so do the options available through Henrietta, NY cremation services. At Rochester Cremation, we pride ourselves on adapting to these changes by offering a range of keepsake options that allow families to commemorate their loved ones in deeply personal and meaningful ways. Whether through jewelry, artwork, or eco-friendly memorials, these keepsakes provide a lasting, tangible connection to those we have lost. To explore more about how we can help you create a unique memorial, call us or visit our website today.