In the ever-evolving world of funeral services, innovation is more than just a buzzword—it's a necessity. Few companies understand this better than Answering Service for Directors (ASD), a family-owned business that has been at the forefront of technological advancements in the deathcare profession for decades.
ASD's commitment to innovation has not gone unnoticed. The company is a four-time winner of the prestigious NFDA Innovation Award, a recognition that celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of suppliers who contribute to the advancement of the funeral profession. For ASD, winning this award has been more than just a moment of pride; it has been a catalyst for continuous improvement and a testament to their dedication to serving funeral directors and the families they support.
"As a four-time winner of the Innovation Award, we understand the significance of recognizing creativity and ingenuity—two qualities that are essential for driving progress in the deathcare field," says Kevin Czachor, ASD Family-Member Owner and CMO.
Four-Time Innovation Award Winner
The first of ASD's NFDA Innovation Awards came in 2012 for their groundbreaking smartphone app, ASD Mobile. This app revolutionized the way funeral directors manage their communications, providing them with a powerful tool to stay connected with their clients no matter where they are. The recognition ASD received for this innovation spurred them to push the boundaries even further. They went on to develop the MobileFH™ feature, which allows funeral directors to call any number from their cell phone while displaying the funeral home’s number as the outgoing Caller ID—a game-changing solution that earned ASD its second NFDA Innovation Award in 2015.
ASD's innovative streak didn't stop there. In 2017, they were honored once again for developing a potentially life-saving solution that helps support callers in crisis who may be considering suicide. The following year, 2018, ASD's Web Form Watchdog™ feature, which ensures funeral homes are responsive to urgent web communications, secured the company’s fourth Innovation Award. These accolades have solidified ASD's reputation as a leader in funeral service technology, inspiring their team to continuously seek out new ways to address the evolving needs of funeral directors and their communities.
Recognizing Creativity and Ingenuity
In 2024, ASD is taking its commitment to innovation a step further by sponsoring the very award they once won. This decision reflects the company's deep-rooted belief in the importance of fostering creativity and ingenuity within the deathcare profession.
By sponsoring the NFDA Innovation Award, ASD aims to support and encourage the creative efforts of their peers in the industry. They recognize that innovation is a collaborative effort, one that requires input and ideas from a diverse range of voices. By highlighting and celebrating the achievements of others, ASD hopes to drive the entire profession forward, ensuring that everyone benefits from the fresh ideas and new technologies that emerge.
“This sponsorship is more than just a way to give back to the industry—it aligns perfectly with our mission to foster innovation and excellence within the funeral profession,” says Kevin. “By supporting this award, ASD encourages other companies to seek out and implement new ideas, technologies and processes that can improve the experiences of funeral directors and the families they serve.”
The journey from award-winner to sponsor has been a natural progression for ASD, one that reflects their ongoing commitment to innovation and their desire to see the entire profession thrive. As they look ahead to the future, ASD remains dedicated to developing new solutions that address the challenges faced by funeral directors and to supporting the creativity and ingenuity of their peers. With their sponsorship of the 2024 NFDA Innovation Award, ASD is not just celebrating the past—they're paving the way for the future of funeral service.
As the ASD team says, "Good luck to all of this year’s award contenders! We are looking forward to sharing the stage with fellow deathcare innovators at the annual convention in October!"
2024 Innovation Awards Finalists (in alphabetical order)
1Director — Case management with 1Director streamlines the planning process.
Clear View Caskets — INVISION TECHNOLOGY by Clear View Caskets unveils technology that allows families to control the visibility of the casket's interior.
Nemu — After losing a loved one, families are faced with dividing treasured family items left behind. Nemu simplifies this process through its intuitive app.
Learn more — watch finalist videos or listen to A Brush With Death podcast.
Join Us in New Orleans!
The 2024 Innovation Award winner is announced on Monday, October 21, 2024, at the 2024 NFDA International Convention & Expo, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Register for convention.