Anthem Partners Announces Partnership with Chptr to Expand Digital Memorial Offerings

Frisco, TX – Anthem Partners, a premier operator of funeral homes and cemeteries across North America, has announced a new partnership with Chptr, a cutting-edge digital platform dedicated to honoring and celebrating lives through personalized storytelling. This collaboration will introduce Chptr’s suite of digital memorial tools—including custom video tributes, service listings, and digital death notices—across select Anthem locations, offering families new ways to share memories and preserve legacies online.

“We’re launching this exclusive partnership with a phased, market-by-market rollout,” said Chad Jackson, Executive VP of Operations at Anthem Partners. “Our initial focus will be on three strategic markets where we anticipate a strong reception from the families we serve. This initiative not only enhances our service offerings but also strengthens our brand presence in communities.”

Chptr’s platform empowers funeral professionals to deliver beautifully branded memorial videos and digital death notices that can be shared across social media and local news outlets. By blending storytelling, video, and community engagement, Chptr helps extend the reach of each service and brings people together in remembrance.  The platform also reduces the time and cost historically associated with obituary writing and slideshow creation.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to bring ease and comfort to families during difficult times,” Jackson added. “Chptr complements the digital transformation underway across our network, offering a meaningful and lasting way for families to honor their loved ones.”

In addition to enriching the memorial experience, Chptr provides funeral homes with new revenue opportunities and innovative tools that go beyond traditional obituaries. Its integration of video and social connectivity offers a compassionate and comprehensive approach to memorialization.

Rehan Choudhry, Founder and CEO of Chptr, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “With Tribute Spotlights, we are creating a monumental shift in how obituaries and death notices are shared with the world.  Very soon, funeral directors across Anthem’s portfolio can offer families a low- or no-cost death notice broadcast on their local news station—paired with a beautiful memorial video for the service and a feature on that station’s website.”

Every Tribute Spotlight is produced within 48 hours of the family’s first meeting with their funeral director and airs on local television for three consecutive days. These broadcasts give communities a consistent place to celebrate the lives of the people who have shaped them.  The platform eliminates the financial and emotional friction families once faced when trying to share the life of someone they loved.

“This partnership reflects Anthem’s deep commitment to serving families with compassion and innovation,” Choudhry added.  “Their willingness to push boundaries for the benefit of those they serve is inspiring, and we’re honored to be part of it.”

“This association is a natural extension of our mission to innovate the funeral profession to meet the ever-changing needs of families,” Jackson concluded. “Chptr will help the Anthem Partners locations deliver a personalized, enduring tribute to every life we honor.”

About Anthem Partners:  Anthem Partners is a privately held operator of funeral homes and cemeteries across North America. Founded by industry professionals and backed by long-term investors, Anthem is committed to honoring legacy, respecting community traditions, and supporting funeral professionals through sustainable growth. To learn more, please visit www.anthempartners.com.

About Chptr:  Chptr is a storytelling platform for the modern age, dedicated to preserving and sharing stories in ways that transcend traditional memorialization. By transforming memories into beautifully crafted narratives, Chptr helps families and communities honor the past, connect in the present, and ensure stories live on forever. Through broadcast video technology and immersive storytelling, Chptr bridges the gap between personal history and public remembrance.  Learn more at www.chptr.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Batesville Blends Innovation, Inspiration and Affordability in its latest Burial and Cremation Offerings

Experience what’s new at the 2024 ICCFA Convention & Exposition                  

BATESVILLE, Ind., April 2, 2024 – Batesville is leveraging insights from funeral directors and consumers to reimagine products for a new generation, blending modern designs, value-added features and materials that are respectful of our environment. The company will display an array of new products at the 2024 International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) Annual Convention and Exposition, April 10-13 in Tampa, Florida.

“Today’s consumers have high expectations when choosing funeral products, and by understanding what families are looking for, we have been able to create some truly unique and compelling offerings that are aesthetically pleasing, and that meet their functional and financial requirements, while also aligning with their values,” said Jenn Parvin, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Batesville.

This includes new investments in the Dimensions^® by Batesville oversize product line, a new rental casket and redesigned insert, Generations™ sustainable products, and the addition of more than 80 new cremation urns, keepsakes and contemporary jewelry items that are on trend for today’s generation. 

Visit Batesville at booth 1331 to explore these new offerings and learn how they can help drive higher satisfaction and profits.

NewPointe^® Artemis Collection: The latest addition to our expansive Dimensions oversize casket line, the Artemis Collection delivers high eye appeal and quality at an entry-level price. Constructed of 20-gauge steel, both models are available in 28” and 32” options. The display includes:

• Artemis Grey 28” with Ivory Crepe interior
• Artemis Copper 32” with Rosetan Crepe interior

Fairview^™ Rental Casket: Inspired by popular casket designs, the Fairview is the first rental product with Batesville’s exclusive LifeView^® personalization panel, allowing families to display treasured photos or mementos. It features hardwood construction, a light pecan finish with wood embossed bars and a fold-down end for easy loading/unloading.

Sureview^™ Rental Insert: More than just a new design, the Sureview* has six-layer reinforced corrugated cardboard construction for added strength and structural integrity with a leak-resistant tray for added peace of mind. 

• Available in standard (24”) and oversize (27”) widths 
• Sold in packs of four 

Generations Sustainable Products: Sustainably sourced and manufactured from fast-growing, abundant hardwoods, with all natural interiors and water-based finishes, Generations 

is an ideal choice for those with an eco-conscious mindset. The dual disposition design and modern aesthetics appeal to a much larger audience of burial and cremation families.

• The Promise^™ has a sleek domed top and intricate design details from end to end, with Family Choices^® personalization
• The Sincerity^™ features a curved plank top with intricate edges and panels, giving it a refined look 

Urns, Keepsakes & Jewelry: After launching more than 50 new products in the fall of 2023, including a collection of affordable NewPointe urns, Batesville is introducing new biodegradable, wood and ceramic vase keepsake urns and an impressive collection of sterling silver and stainless jewelry, new birthstone pendants and a new point-of-purchase display to showcase remembrance jewelry. Talk with a Batesville expert about the free tools and helpful resources available to educate funeral home staff and families about cremation products and services.

Technology solutions to optimize and grow your business: The right technology solutions can increase operational efficiency and improve profits. Batesville experts will provide live demos of its free website platform, including the exclusive Floral Select™ e-commerce offering, show how Batesville Connect^® can streamline everyday account management activities and share the latest 3D Mapping capabilities in its MIS management software.

Educational sessions – sponsored by Batesville

A longstanding partner with ICCFA, Batesville is proud to sponsor four educational sessions:

Wednesday, April 10 at 1:30 p.m. (ET)

• Communicating with Ease: Building Trust through Authentic Dialogue

Tiffanie Kellog, Business Coach

• Creating a World-Class Customer Experience

Vincent Roberge, Johnson Consulting Group

Wednesday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. (ET)

• Unlocking the Future: Surprising Discoveries from Consumer Insights

George Owens, SoCal Approach

• Digital Marketing is not Rocket Science… but it is Scientific

Troy Brake, Vertin Funeral Homes 

For more information, visit www.batesville.com/news/iccfa-2024/. 

*Patent Pending

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ABOUT BATESVILLE SERVICES, LLC

Batesville (www.Batesville.com) is a recognized leader in the death care industry in North America, offering a comprehensive portfolio of burial and cremation products, memorialization options and innovative technology solutions. For more than 125 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 market leader.