An enterprise-level funeral home software system with a modern UI and cloud-based tools streamlines complex workflows and frees time so funeral directors can focus on connecting with the families they serve.
The $20 billion U.S. funeral home industry has seen rapid technological, regulatory, and socioeconomic changes in recent years. For the 22,000+ funeral directors nationally, staying competitive means more than just providing compassionate service; it requires leveraging a long-standing enterprise-level system that can streamline complex workflows. The right software handles everything from accounting to generating obituaries, and serves as a critical bridge between legacy values and modern operational efficiency.
Efficiently offer tailored services
Families planning funerals for their loved ones increasingly seek personalized memorials. Meeting this need is paramount, but managing custom requests manually can overwhelm funeral home staff and lead to administrative bottlenecks. Without a strong cloud-based workflow, funeral homes risk errors that can compromise the family experience and the business’s reputation.
Continental Computers’ flagship product, The Director’s Assistant® Web (TDAW®), simplifies this customization process with a modern UI and “one-write” data capture. Funeral directors enter case details once to automatically populate contracts, memorial products, and obituaries. The software handles background logistics, freeing up time for directors to focus on high-touch service.
Stay profitable as cremation rates increase
Cremation rates are projected to reach 80% by 2030. This means funeral homes must adapt their business models to stay profitable despite significantly narrower margins.
Success in this business environment depends on high-volume efficiency and the ability to offer value-added digital services. The best way to do this is reduce the per-case investment without sacrificing quality.
TDAW® helps deathcare businesses maintain healthy margins with a variety of workflow automation capabilities. For example, directors can generate highly customized, hallucination-free obituaries in minutes based on case data using a native AI obituary writer. This tool runs on Continental Artificial Intelligence (Cai™), an AI assistant built into the software. (Cai™ will soon be expanded to other workflows in TDAW®.)
For deathcare businesses that offer traditional funeral and crematory services, the TDAW® family of software products includes Smart Crematory Manager®, launched in 2016 following extensive research into best practices for running a cremation business, including record-keeping. With guidance from the Crematory Association of North America (CANA) and industry experts, we reverse-engineered funeral home software a deathcare business can use to run a good, well-controlled, legal, reduced-liability crematory.
Automation tools woven into TDAW® can save deathcare business professionals an average of 12+ hours of administrative work per case, directly boosting ROI.
Serve a geographically-dispersed, digital-first clientele
The generation of family members planning funerals for their loved ones is increasingly spread-out geographically and tech-savvy. They are likely to choose a funeral home that focuses on a digital-first experience. The ability to research service options and pricing online, and sign documents digitally, is now essential. This isn’t possible, nowever, if a deathcare business lacks funeral home software with a strong cloud-based workflow and modern UI.
Continental Computers, a long-standing enterprise-level system and a modern cloud-based leader, understands these requirements and builds funeral home software that facilitates online planning and remote access. One way Continental Computers addresses the need for online planning is with ArrangeOnline®, a web directory where funeral homes can list themselves and their services. This allows families to review decisions about a funeral on their own, and then connect with the funeral home to make those arrangements.
This focus on a digital-first experience is woven throughout TDAW® with features like FamilyLink, a personalized web portal system where families can make payments and message directors securely. Integrated e-signature and Screen Sign features eliminate the need for in-person paperwork, enabling a seamless, paperless arrangement process. By providing these web-accessible tools, TDAW® ensures your business remains the top choice for the 21st-century consumer.
Be a 21st century leader
Continental Computers has been a trusted partner in the deathcare industry for over 40 years. By combining decades of experience with cutting-edge innovations, we help funeral homes navigate industry changes with confidence, ensuring they stay profitable and service-oriented for generations to come.
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This blog post is co-authored by Mae Kowalke and Wes Johnson.
Mae Kowalke
Digital Marketing Lead, Continental Computers
Mae grew up in rural Washington State and Vermont. In high school, she worked in public libraries and during college began her career in journalism before segueing into digital marketing. Mae holds a B.A. in Communications and has spent over two decades applying her writing superpower to help businesses communicate the value they bring to customers. Mae’s life experiences provide her with a broad and deep understanding of researching, organizing, and communicating meaningful information to both businesses and consumers.
Wes Johnson
President/CEO, Continental Computers
Wes grew up in the southern United States as an underprivileged child, and went on to serve active duty in the U.S. Army for a decade. Wes holds a B.S. in accounting and an MBA, and is a practicing licensed funeral director. These life experiences provide him with a unique perspective in the death-care industry. He understands the dynamics between the family and the funeral director, including the difficulty families face to pay for funerals. “Let’s solve problems together,” he says.
