Apr 19, 2015
ASD’s At-Need Connect™ allows funeral directors to serve clients in “real-time”, regardless of location or time of day. At-Need Connect™ was created so directors could be available instantly to serve loved ones in their time of need. This tool provides funeral professionals with the flexibility to conduct business away from the office while providing the personal touch of a director, day or night. ASD created At-Need Connect™ so funeral directors could return to their roots, adapting the latest technology to rebuild the personal director/family relationships of yesterday.
ASD is the only funeral home answering service with the technology in place to notify you the moment a Call Specialist begins to gather First Call information. With ASD’s At-Need Alert® feature, funeral directors can receive a text-message or push notification stating that there is a “Death Call In Progress.” There are countless scenarios where receiving advance notification of a recent death can improve communications for funeral homes.
With ASD’s At-Need Alert®, you can respond to messages when you are available or use our advanced At-Need Connect™ feature to immediately intercept the call. With even more advanced options, At-Need Alert® combined with ASD’s other innovative, time-saving features ensure directors remain connected with their families 24/7.This new, “real-time” communication feature harnesses the latest technology, enabling directors to serve families instantly, maintaining a personal touch.
At-Need Connect™ is compatible with all mobile phones, keeping it affordable. It was designed in house, maximizing flexibility. Upgrades and modifications are completed quickly, without relying on outside consultants or software vendors. Funeral professionals can activate At-Need Connect™ by dialing the number texted to their mobile phone and selecting among these options: 1-enter the call immediately, 2-listen to the call in a muted mode, 3-speak with the call specialist prior to joining the call, 4-obtain call details and call the family back. This range of options gives directors the ability to decide how to handle a first call based upon their situation at the time. At-Need Connect™ returns control to the director, proving business can be conducted anywhere without sacrificing quality.
At-Need Connect™ offers several practical benefits to funeral professionals and the families they serve. These include reducing the time it takes to begin arrangements, enhancing response time to death and urgent calls, and coordinating the transportation of remains without delay. This tool is highly sustainable because it is designed and managed in-house. ASD plans to offer similar features in the future for other important funeral calls. The company will introduce Pre-Need Alert™ and Pre-Need Connect™ features in the coming months.
Effective use of At-Need Connect™ can enhance a funeral home’s brand by improving families’ experiences and reinforcing a hometown business approach. Customers are comforted knowing a professional will always be available for them, while directors are freed to manage daily tasks. As use of “real-time” technology grows, communication between families and funeral directors must be seamless. At-Need Connect™ bridges this practical divide and connects families with experts who can console them in their hour of grief. Directors benefit from the greatly decreased possibility of a lost opportunity. Families benefit from knowing their sensitive questions will be handled in a compassionate and caring way.
About The Author
Jess Farren (Fowler)
Jess Farren (Fowler) is a Public Relations Specialist and Staff Writer who has been a part of the ASD team since 2003. Jess manages ASD’s company blog and has been published in several funeral trade magazines. She has written articles on a variety of subjects including communication, business planning, technology, marketing and funeral trends. You can contact Jess directly at Jess@myASD.com
