Streamlining Your Funeral Home: A 4-Week Automation Roadmap
Total Implementation Time
4-5 weeks
Implementation Phases
Operational Audit & Compliance Review
We analyze your current intake process, from the first call to the final disposition. We specifically review your General Price List (GPL) and state-specific embalming consent forms to ensure digital automation logic follows FTC Funeral Rule guidelines.
Tasks
- -Audit existing Passare or SRS Computing database structure
- -Review current 'First Call' phone scripts and intake forms
- -Map out obituary approval chain between family and director
- -Identify bottlenecks in pre-need lead distribution
Who is Involved
- Read Laboratories Lead Consultant
- Funeral Home Owner
- Lead Funeral Director
Deliverables
- Process Map Document
- Automation Gap Analysis
- FTC Compliance Logic Checklist
Critical focus on ensuring that digital price disclosures are triggered at the correct point in the virtual arrangement process to maintain FTC compliance.
Integration & First Call Logic Build
We build the middleware connections between your answering service and your management software (HMIS/Osiris). This ensures data from a 2:00 AM first call is instantly synced without manual re-entry.
Tasks
- -Configure API webhooks between answering service and SRS Computing
- -Build automated SMS notification triggers for the on-call director
- -Develop digital arrangement scheduling via Calendly or SavvyCal
- -Set up automated 'Next Steps' email for grieving families
Who is Involved
- Read Laboratories Engineers
- Office Manager
- IT/Software Admin
Deliverables
- Live Integration Dashboard
- Automated First Call Alert System
- Digital Arrangement Calendar
We prioritize 'Human-in-the-loop' triggers so directors can override automated messages during sensitive situations.
Obituary & Aftercare Workflow Deployment
Deployment of the obituary coordination engine and the 12-month aftercare sequence. We automate the collection of photos and life details from families, feeding directly into your website and local papers.
Tasks
- -Create automated photo upload portal for families
- -Build obituary draft approval workflow in FrontRunner
- -Launch 30/60/90-day aftercare check-in sequences
- -Integrate pre-need counselor notification for aftercare leads
Who is Involved
- Read Laboratories Team
- Pre-need Counselor
- Administrative Assistant
Deliverables
- Obituary Management Portal
- Automated Aftercare Email/SMS Series
- Pre-need Lead Routing Logic
Aftercare sequences are designed with a high-empathy tone, ensuring they provide value (grief resources) rather than just sales pressure.
Staff Training & Systems Go-Live
Final testing and staff onboarding. We walk your directors through the new dashboard to ensure they know how to manage the automated tasks and where to find the centralized family data.
Tasks
- -Conduct live training session for all funeral directors
- -Perform end-to-end testing of first call to invoice generation
- -Verify QuickBooks/Accounting sync for professional services
- -Finalize 'Emergency Manual' for staff
Who is Involved
- Read Laboratories Lead Consultant
- Full Funeral Home Staff
Deliverables
- Staff Training Manual (PDF)
- Video Training Library
- Final Systems Certification
Training includes specific instructions on how to pause automations during high-sensitivity cases or complex family dynamics.
Tool Integrations
Passare
4-6 hoursPrimary integration for family collaboration and case management data sync.
SRS Computing
6-8 hoursLegacy database integration for historical record tracking and inventory management.
Osiris
4-5 hoursAutomating contract generation and digital signature workflows for arrangement rooms.
QuickBooks Online
2-3 hoursMapping professional service fees and casket sales directly from management software to accounting.
FrontRunner Professional
3-4 hoursAutomating website obituary postings and memorial folder data transfer.
Common Blockers and Solutions
Blocker
Incomplete General Price List (GPL) Data
Solution
We provide a standardized digital template to convert your paper GPL into a machine-readable format for the arrangement builder.
Blocker
Staff Resistance to New Technology
Solution
We focus on 'Ease of Use' training, showing directors how automation saves them 5+ hours of paperwork per case.
Blocker
Third-Party Answering Service Compatibility
Solution
We utilize specialized middleware (Zapier/Make) to parse email or text notifications from legacy answering services into your CRM.
Blocker
State-Specific Legal Disclosures
Solution
We build conditional logic into forms to ensure the correct state-mandated disclosures are shown based on the service type.
DIY vs. Read Laboratories
| Category | DIY | Read Laboratories |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Speed | 6-12 Months (trial and error) | 4-5 Weeks (proven framework) |
| FTC Compliance | High risk of missed disclosures | Built-in logic for price disclosures |
| Software Integration | Manual data entry between tools | Fully automated API-level syncing |
| Aftercare Quality | Often forgotten or inconsistent | 12 months of automated, empathetic touchpoints |
| First Call Handling | Director must manually log details | Instant sync from service to management software |
| Cost Efficiency | Expensive software overlap | Consolidated, high-ROI tool stack |
FAQ
Will this replace our existing funeral management software like Passare or Osiris?
No, we do not replace your core management software. Instead, we act as the 'connective tissue' that makes those tools work better. We automate the data flow between your management software, your website, your marketing tools, and your accounting system.
How do you ensure the automation doesn't feel 'cold' to grieving families?
Empathy is our priority. We use automation for administrative tasks (data entry, scheduling, reminders) so your directors have more time for face-to-face support. All family-facing messages are drafted with funeral industry experts to ensure a supportive, professional tone.
Is the system compliant with the FTC Funeral Rule?
Absolutely. Our implementation includes specific triggers to ensure your General Price List, Casket Price List, and Outer Burial Container Price List are presented digitally at the exact moments required by law during the arrangement process.
What happens if our internet goes down at the funeral home?
The core automation logic lives in the cloud. Your answering service and data syncing will continue to work. We also provide 'Offline Mode' protocols for your staff to ensure no family data is lost during local outages.
Can we automate the obituary collection process?
Yes. We build a custom portal where families can upload high-resolution photos and fill out a life-story questionnaire. This data then automatically drafts an obituary for director review, saving hours of back-and-forth emails.
Serving Funeral Homes businesses nationwide. Based in Westlake Village, CA.