A Heirloom Film That Brought a Community Together

Location: Ocala, FL
Partner: Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services
Broadcast Partner: WESH (NBC Affiliate – Orlando)

Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services has long been a trusted name in Central Florida, known for serving families with care, professionalism, and deep community awareness. So when the grieving parents of Sydney, a young woman beloved in the local equestrian world, needed a way to honor her life at scale, Hiers-Baxley was ready.

The family was preparing a memorial service at the World Equestrian Center. They had hours of home footage, dozens of VHS tapes, and an urgent need for something more than a slideshow. General Manager Richard Alderman recognized the complexity and significance of the moment and brought the opportunity to Chptr.

It was not just about digitizing footage. It was about helping a family find the right words and images to honor their daughter’s life in front of hundreds of people.

Guiding the Family to a Signature Experience

Richard connected Mary and Ken, Sydney’s parents, with Chptr’s Customer Experience team. A memory session was scheduled, and the team helped them reflect, share stories, and make creative decisions with full emotional support.

The final product was a fully produced Heirloom Film that combined personal voice recordings, archival footage, and curated visuals into a powerful, public memorial. It was presented at the service and aired on WESH.

A tribute created with love, shared with hundreds, and remembered by all who saw it.

“It was so beautiful and we are so grateful,” said Mary.

The impact was immediate. Guests at the World Equestrian Center approached the family to share how moved they were. The film captured Sydney’s personality in a way that felt personal, professional, and unforgettable.

Visibility That Reflects the Brand

This tribute was meaningful for the family and also reflected Hiers-Baxley’s commitment to offering modern, dignified memorials that meet families where they are. In the first two weeks of WESH broadcasts, more than 418,000 households in Central Florida were reached. Many viewers were introduced to the funeral home’s care philosophy for the first time.

The team at Hiers-Baxley did more than offer a new service. They ensured the family felt guided, supported, and proud of what they created.

Why It Works for Forward-Thinking Funeral Homes

• Helps your team support high-profile or emotionally complex cases with confidence
  
  
• Builds community trust by aligning your brand with dignified, visible service
  
  
• Requires no additional creative lift from staff
  
  
• Reinforces your role as a full-service partner and trusted emotional guide
  
  

A New Standard in Public Remembrance

By offering the Heirloom Film, Hiers-Baxley helped transform one family’s tribute into a shared community moment. The film gave Sydney’s family something lasting and powerful to share, both during the service and beyond. Hiers-Baxley’s thoughtful leadership elevated the experience and reinforced the trust they’ve built across generations of families in Central Florida.