"Only a few hours after training, I offered Chptr to a family who had sticker shock at a newspaper obituary. They burst with excitement and said, 'Heck yeah we want this.'"
-Amber Edwards, Funeral Director
Location: Johnson City, TN
Partner: Heritage Family
Broadcast Partner: WCYB Tri-Cities
Launching Tribute Spotlights in Tri-Cities (Tennessee–Virginia)
Heritage Family launched Tribute Spotlights powered by Chptr in Tri-Cities as part of a three-market pilot.
Each market had already reduced spend on billboards, TV ads, and radio obits, and with rapid shifts in technology and family expectations, the team welcomed a new opportunity to strengthen their presence in the community.
Heritage saw Tribute Spotlights not just as a replacement, but as the modern alternative to traditional obituaries. As newspaper readership continues to decline and costs rise to $500–$1,500 or more for a single print notice, families need a better way to reach the community of people who knew and cared for their loved one. Tribute Spotlights give them that reach on trusted local television, at no additional cost to families, ensuring support extends well beyond the immediate family circle.
Training that Inspired Confidence
Over the course of two days, the Chptr team led live, in-person training at Tetrick Funeral Home in Johnson City, TN for an eager group of directors representing all 15 Tri-Cities homes.
Questions were asked and answered, Auntie Ruth’s doughnuts and Pal’s cheddar rounds were shared, and sweet tea was poured for everyone. Through it all, the refrain was the same: “everyone is saying how much they love it.”
The moment that stood out most came from Jami Renee Zander, Senior Funeral Director & Embalmer, Cluster Area Manager, who felt so confident after training that she immediately trained two associates who could not attend in person. That kind of peer-to-peer confidence helped fuel rapid adoption across the entire market.
Families Said Yes from Day One
The results in Tri-Cities were immediate and measurable:
Families recognized the value right away. When one family balked at the high cost of a newspaper obituary, Funeral Director Amber Edwards introduced Tribute Spotlights. Their response was instant:
Why Funeral Directors Adopted So Quickly
This pilot also marked the rollout of Chptr’s new partnership with Tribute Technology, which fully automates Tribute Spotlights orders through funeral home websites. Directors can now initiate an order with a single click directly inside their existing Tribute Technology site. There are no extra steps and no new systems to learn.
That seamless integration, combined with in-person training and clear market readiness, made adoption effortless. Funeral directors embraced Tribute Spotlights as a natural extension of the care they already provide.
Tribute Spotlights air daily on WCYB, honoring families and showcasing Heritage’s role in the community.
What It Proved
Heritage Tri-Cities showed what happens when the right product meets the right team at the right time:
For Families
For Funeral Homes
Every Tribute Spotlight is syndicated on the WCYB website, linking back to Heritage’s funeral homes and strengthening online visibility.
Why It Works for Heritage
Supporting Industry Leaders
Chptr is proud to support Heritage Family in setting the pace for modern memorialization. By embracing Tribute Spotlights, Heritage proved that innovation in death care can feel seamless, dignified, and deeply human, a service that strengthens families, empowers directors, and connects communities.
Want to See How It Works in Your Market?
Reach out to our partner success team at sales@chptr.com to learn how Tribute Spotlights can fit seamlessly into your service model.
