Modernizing Death Notices for Today’s Families and the Funeral Homes That Serve Them

Our CEO, Rehan Choudhry, recently joined the “Brief Introduction” podcast from Kates-Boylston to discuss how obituary distribution is changing, why funeral homes are leading that evolution, and what modern memorialization looks like in communities across the country.

The conversation highlights the rise of broadcast obituaries, the limitations of traditional channels, and how funeral home technology can support families without adding extra work for staff.

Listen to the Full Interview

Podcast: “Rehan Choudhry on Chptr’s Mission to Modernize Death Notices”

You can also listen and read the full transcript on Kates-Boylston.

The podcast offers a full, in-depth discussion. The summary below explains how broadcast obituaries are redefining obituary distribution for funeral homes.

Why Families Still Need Reliable, Wide-Reaching Obituary Distribution

Families rely on funeral homes to notify the community when someone has died. The challenge is that traditional obituary channels no longer reach the full community. Newspaper readership continues to decline, and social media only reaches the people already connected to the family.

Funeral homes are left searching for a better way to notify everyone who should know. This is where broadcast obituaries and death notices on television fill the gap. They offer wide, consistent reach and reconnect funeral homes to their communities through trusted local media.

Families want the wider community to be informed. Funeral directors want a simple, dignified way to make that happen. Modern broadcast memorials give both groups what they need.

How Chptr Began and Why Broadcast Became the Answer

Chptr began with a straightforward idea. Families deserved better ways to tell the story of a life. That idea started with video memorial services created quickly and simply, inspired by the memorial pieces Rehan’s wife produced as a CBS News anchor during the early COVID pandemic.

Local TV stations noticed the format and saw potential for their own community coverage. At the same time, funeral homes needed a modern approach to obituary distribution that reached more people without adding new tasks or expenses.

Broadcast became the natural connection point. It brings community-scale reach to death notices and requires almost no effort from the funeral home, because the information used for broadcast obituaries is already collected during arrangements.

Why Funeral Homes Are Adopting Broadcast Memorials Today

One of the strongest points from the interview is how quickly funeral directors have embraced broadcast obituaries once they see the workflow. Many were fatigued by technology that overpromised and complicated their work during the pandemic. They wanted funeral home technology that fit into their process instead of changing it.

At Chptr, we designed the experience around the director. We pull information directly from your existing systems, you indicate which families want to participate, and we take care of the rest.

Funeral directors consistently tell us the same thing. Broadcast memorials strengthen the care they provide without adding steps. They increase the visibility of the funeral home through meaningful community service, and they help families feel supported because more people learn about the death in time to show up. For many homes, this has become a natural extension of their service offerings.

Why Local Television Still Outperforms Social and Print

The interview underscores an important trend. Local television is still one of the most trusted and far-reaching sources of information in communities across the country.

When death notices on television air, they reach thousands of viewers who may never see a newspaper listing or a social media post. This wide awareness matters for families and for funeral homes.

Homes that use broadcast obituaries often see stronger community engagement. Families hear from people they would not have reached otherwise, and funeral homes often notice increases in website traffic, service inquiries, and general visibility. Broadcast restores the level of reach that obituaries once had.

Fixing a Longstanding Problem With Online Obits

For years, obituary aggregators replicated funeral home content and often introduced errors. Incorrect dates, missing details, and outdated listings created stress for families and damaged the reputation of the funeral home.

Chptr’s model protects accuracy. TV stations publish only basic details and direct viewers back to the funeral home website for the complete obituary and service information. This ensures the funeral home remains the source of truth and receives the traffic it deserves. For funeral homes, this represents a major improvement in how obituary information flows online.

A Simple Workflow That Fits How Funeral Homes Operate

Implementation is designed to fit the realities of funeral home operations. We integrate directly with your website or case management provider. You confirm which families want to participate, and Chptr handles the creation, distribution, and broadcast coordination.

There is no new system to learn. No extra administrative work. Funeral directors gain time back to focus on delivering care.

If families want additional storytelling, such as slideshows or video memorial services, they upload photos and videos through a simple link. Chptr manages production at no extra cost.

Where Obituary Distribution Is Heading Next

Modernizing death notices is becoming a priority for funeral homes nationwide. Broadcast memorials are emerging as an expected part of service in many markets. Homes that introduce this offering now often gain a first mover advantage. They provide families with meaningful visibility, strengthen community trust, and elevate their brand through service, not advertising.

The obituary is not disappearing. It is evolving into a form that meets the communication needs of today’s families and supports the role of the funeral home in the community. We are proud to support funeral directors and owners as this evolution continues.

If you want to explore how broadcast memorials work in your market, we are here to help.