Last updated: September 2026

By Natalie Chapman, Passare Content Marketer

Imagine a family trying to start the planning process for their mother’s funeral.

One sibling is across town. Another is out of state. An aunt and uncle live just down the street. Everyone wants to help, but getting everyone in the same room at the same time? That’s a big ask.

This is the exact kind of situation where funeral planning software can make a meaningful difference. With software, you can give every family member a way to participate, no matter where they are.

But won’t software make planning feel cold, confusing, or impersonal?

This is a question funeral professionals ask all the time. And they’re right to wonder, because some digital experiences do feel like a maze of forms, clicks, and generic prompts. In funeral service, that’s the last experience you want to offer a grieving family.

But the right funeral planning software works differently. Instead of replacing your care, it gives families more flexibility while keeping your guidance at the center.

So, what does that look like in practice? Let’s look at 2 ways funeral homes can use online planning tools to keep the experience personal.

How can I offer a blended online and in-person funeral planning experience?

A blended planning experience allows you to guide families through the arrangement process in person, and give them the option to plan online as well. And what many might not realize, is it can still feel deeply personal. In many cases, it makes the process feel more personal because families have space to process, prepare, and participate in ways that work best for them.

Passare’s online at-need planning tool, Planning Center, lets families work through parts of the planning process on their own time while staying connected to your team. That means your arrangement conference can focus less on paperwork and more on the conversations that matter.

Before you meet, families can:

• Sign documents electronically
• Complete customized checklists
• Upload files or photos in Planning Center
• Work on service details

And more! Then, by the time you’re at the arrangement conference, many administrative details will already be handled. That gives you more time to learn about their loved one, understand what the family needs, and plan a service that truly reflects who they were.

Learn more about online at-need planning tools in these resources:

Planning Center 101

This guide shows you how to meet families where they are online while staying by their side every step of the way.

[Read now]

Connect with families digitally

See Planning Center in action and learn how it can help you meet the needs of today's families.

[Watch now]

How can I create a fully online funeral planning experience that's meaningful?

\Today’s families are used to handling important decisions online, from researching businesses to making purchases. Funeral planning is no exception. In fact, research shows that 44% of families are increasingly comfortable planning a funeral online, and 38% are open to ordering funeral merchandise, like a casket, digitally.

That shift means families may be looking for complete online planning experiences with your funeral home. If families can’t find these digital options at your firm, they may look for a provider that offers them.

But you may wonder, how can a completely online experience still feel personal?

Passare’s Arrangement Guide accomplishes this! With this tool, you can give families the option to browse your services and merchandise, move through the planning process at their own pace, and pay for services online.

And the tool keeps things personal by leading families through thoughtful questions shaped by the teachings of grief expert Dr. Alan Wolfelt. So, instead of simply clicking through a product catalog, families are invited to reflect on the kind of service that feels right for them. And because the experience reflects your funeral home’s branding, packages, and language, it doesn’t feel generic. It feels like you.

Learn more about online arrangements in these resources:

Your funeral home's guide to online arrangements

Everything you need to know to set up your online arrangement tool and drive families to it.

[Read now]

How to make online arrangements meaningful

Learn how to reach more preneed and at-need families with online arrangements that keep your personal touch.

[Watch now]

Reach more families with the right funeral planning software

Technology should never take the place of your care. It should help you offer that care in more flexible, accessible ways.

With online planning software, families get the convenience of digital tools and the comfort of your personal guidance.

Get a full demo of Passare, including Planning Center and Arrangement Guide, to see how software can help you manage your business and connect with families.