Cemeteries Reimagined: How Final Resting Places Are Evolving Into Vibrant Community Hubs

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to head to Nashville—consider this your sign.

We were flooded with questions during and after our recent Tribute Technology webinar, “ Why Obituaries Should Be Your #1 Focus This Year. ” The session explored a powerful shift in how obituary pages can drive long-term value—and introduced a new opportunity: Tribute Technology’s partnership with Chptr , a company that broadcasts death notices on local TV as part of nightly news segments. Joining us live was Chptr’s Founder and CEO, Rehan Choudhry , who helped funeral professionals understand how this partnership—and the new Tribute Spotlights offering—can strengthen their brand, serve families better, and reconnect with their communities in a meaningful way. If you missed the webinar, you can watch it here . We’ve also rounded up the top questions from attendees—along with expert answers—to help you quickly get up to speed. 1. Can Tribute Spotlights video announcements be shared on our funeral home’s YouTube channel? Absolutely. Both the funeral home and the family receive the finished video, which means you can post it to YouTube, add it to your website, or share it across your social media channels. It’s an easy, shareable way to extend the obituary’s reach. 2. Are some funeral homes paying for the service themselves to grow market share? Yes—and they’re seeing it as a smart investment. Many funeral homes are covering the cost of Tribute Spotlights to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. It’s an added-value service that leaves a lasting impression with families and builds long-term brand recognition in the community. 3. Is it broadcast over-the-air (OTA) and on linear TV? Yes, in most markets. Death announcements air on both: Over-the-air (OTA) : Free, local channels accessible via antenna Linear TV : Scheduled programming via cable or satellite This dual approach ensures maximum exposure, especially for audiences that may not use streaming platforms. 4. Are Tribute Spotlights videos only on-air, or are they also online? Both. Announcements are featured during designated TV broadcast times and published on the station’s memorials webpage, offering families and communities multiple ways to engage. 5. How long are the videos? Each segment is 30 seconds , with individual obituaries typically receiving 3–5 seconds per airing. 6. Does Tribute Spotlights work with CFS websites or only Tribute sites? Tribute Spotlights integrate with all website platforms—including CFS —so you don’t need to change your provider to take advantage of this service. 7. How do families know when and where to watch the broadcast? Each participating market has set channels and air times. Your funeral home will receive all the relevant details, so you can easily pass them along to the families you serve. 8. If we have multiple obituaries, do they split the 30-second segment? Yes. If you submit four obituaries, for example, each typically receives around 7 seconds . In some markets, your funeral home may even qualify for exclusive broadcast segments. 9. Who owns the obituary video? You and the family do. Both parties receive copies with full rights to use, post, or share the video however they’d like. 10. Does each announcement get a full 30 seconds? No, but frequency matters. Each announcement usually gets 3–5 seconds , and they’re aired multiple times —often 10 or more—to maximize reach and visibility. 11. Can we get reporting from the local station? Yes. Tribute Spotlights and Chptr provide pre- and post-airing reports with full analytics, so you can track performance, exposure, and community impact. 12. What’s the average cost per TV spot? Thanks to Tribute Technology’s negotiated pricing , the full announcement package—which includes TV broadcast, video production, and social media distribution—is just $225 on average. Volume discounts are available for funeral homes bundling multiple announcements. Ready to Learn More? Tribute Spotlights is a unique and affordable way to elevate the services you offer while helping families feel honored, seen, and remembered. Whether you're interested in expanding your reach, enhancing your brand, or simply offering something new and meaningful, this tool was designed with your funeral home in mind. Have more questions? We’re always here to help.

Sympathy gift spending sees rapid growth, and Tribute Store delivers.

What your staff needs to know

The funeral profession is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation — and the numbers speak for themselves.

In funeral service, every minute matters.

How Heartfelt Obituaries Draw Attention, Build Trust, and Expand your Business

Equipping your business for today’s tech-driven families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 8, 2025 Contact for Further Information: Tribute Technology 315 Raemisch Rd., Ste G Waunakee, WI 53597 press@tributetech.com Tribute Technology Presents Trend ReCON 2025: A ReCONference for the Future of Funeral Service WAUNAKEE, WI — Tribute Technology is proud to announce Trend ReCON 2025, an exclusive two-day event designed to help funeral professionals navigate the evolving landscape of funeral service. The event will take place June 2-3, 2025, at The Joseph in Nashville, Tennessee. As the funeral profession undergoes rapid transformation, Trend ReCON 2025 will equip funeral home owners and directors with cutting-edge insights and strategies to stay competitive. Attendees will hear from top industry experts, gain practical business solutions, and explore innovative approaches to service excellence. The conference will cover key topics, including strategies for funeral homes to remain competitive and profitable, shifts in funeral service ownership, and the role of social media and email marketing in business growth. It will also highlight top innovators in the profession with the Tech-Enabled Funeral Home Awards, explore how funeral homes can cater to both discount and premium clientele, and provide insights on flexible financing solutions for families. Trend ReCON 2025 will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including Courtney Gould Miller, President of Commercial Markets at Tribute Technology; Matt Powell, Chief Technology Officer at Tribute Technology; Glenn Gould, Founder of MKJ Marketing; Erick Goss, CEO and Co-founder of Minno; Brian Givnish, Director of Training and Development at Life Celebrations Inc.; and Rob Justen, Owner of Justen Funeral Home. The event will be held at The Joseph, a luxury hotel recognized as one of Nashville’s premier accommodations within the Marriott collection. Early bird registration is available for $595 until April 21, 2025, after which the regular price will be $795. Registration is now open at www.tributetech.com/trend-recon-2025 . Attendees can take advantage of an exclusive group hotel rate for the event, with assistance available for extended stays beyond the conference dates. For accommodation inquiries, contact Terri Schmoldt at terri.schmoldt@tributetech.com or Olivia Moores at olivia.moores@tributetech.com . Trend ReCON 2025 will offer attendees valuable learning opportunities, networking with industry peers, and an immersive Nashville experience featuring legendary music, world-class dining, and engaging discussions about the future of funeral service. Don’t just keep up with change—lead it. Register today and be part of the conversations shaping the future of the profession. Visit www.tributetech.com/trend-recon-2025 to learn more. ### About Tribute Technology Tribute Technology is dedicated to empowering funeral professionals with best-in-class technology solutions. Serving over 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. For more information, visit www.tributetech.com .