From exciting ASD company news to updates to our features to Team ASD events, it’s been a busy fall and we’re excited to share with you all the latest happening here at ASD. This season has brought fresh opportunities for growth and connection, both within our team and throughout the funeral service community we’re proud to serve. In this blog post, we’ll provide a rundown of some of our most recent highlights—from technology enhancements and new partnerships to special recognitions and team events. Whether you’re an ASD client, employee, or supporter, there’s plenty to catch up on and celebrate with us.
ASD Company News
2025 NFDA Convention
The Czachor family and ASD Team would like to express our appreciation to all of the funeral professionals who spent time with us last month at the National Funeral Directors Association Convention and Expo in Chicago. It is such a blessing to be able to share this special event with our clients and friends every year. Thank you again and can’t wait to see everyone next year in Charlotte!
We feel so fortunate to be part of the incredible funeral service community. Every time we connect with funeral directors, we’re reminded of just how lucky we are to be in this field. For the second year in a row, the NFDA Convention was extra special for our team as we had the opportunity to sponsor the NFDA Innovation Award. This award represents the pinnacle of achievement for a funeral service vendor. As a proud four-time recipient, ASD was truly honored to have an opportunity to share the stage with this year’s finalists. Our second and third-generation family members took part in this ceremony during the Opening General Session and we were thrilled to able to personally congratulate the founder of Afterword on winning this year’s award.
So, we’ve been told a few times in the past that we all dress a little too formally at the NFDA Convention so we decided to have some fun and rock our Hawaiian shirts on day 3 of the convention again. This year, our shirts featured the face of new NFDA President, Dan Ford, on them and they definitely gave everyone a good laugh, especially Dan! Never let it be said that Team ASD doesn’t have style!
The Czachor Family Launches Cremation Air
Our biggest news this season is the launch of the Czachor family’s new venture, Cremation Air, a company that works directly with funeral homes to help them coordinate aerial ash scatterings. Be sure to check out our latest blog post where we share what inspired ASD Family-Member Owner, Marty Czachor Jr, to create this new service. Learn about how we designed this service specifically for deathcare professionals, helping funeral directors to offer something meaningful and unique to families while also putting some revenue back in their pockets.
ASD Supports Funeral Women Lead as Founding Partner
Exciting ASD Company news! We are proud to now be a part of Funeral Women Lead and honored to support the organization as a Founding Partner. This new initiative is dedicated to empowering and advancing women in funeral service through connection, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. ASD Family-Member Owner and Treasurer, Kathy Kelley, is especially passionate about supporting this mission and helping to create space for more female voices within the profession. We’re excited to stand alongside so many inspiring leaders who are shaping the future of funeral service.
Recent Staff Promotions
ASD is pleased to share some promotions within our Training and Customer Service teams. ASD long-time Training Supervisor, Tish Baker, who has overseen our Training team for over five years, has been promoted to the new position of Training Manager, overseeing an experienced team of Training Supervisors, Assistant Supervisors and Call Specialists. We are also proud to announce that Tina Boppell, Hana Aoun and Michelle Jones have been promoted from Assistant Supervisors to Training Supervisors. In their new roles, they will further strengthen our Training Department by leading classes, mentoring new employees, and providing invaluable support to Tish and the growing team.
ASD is also expanding and enhancing our Customer Service Department. Amanda Strain and DeAnna Massey have been promoted to Customer Service Account Managers, where they will continue providing dedicated support to our clients. Their experience and commitment will help us further improve communication and service for every funeral home we serve.
ASD Featured On NFDA’s A Brush With Death Podcast
ASD Family-Member Owner, Kevin Czachor, was featured in an episode of the NFDA podcast, A Brush with Death. In the podcast, Kevin sits down with host, Gabe Schauf, to discuss his own recent brush with death as well as some other new developments happening here at ASD. Click here or visit your favorite podcast platform to hear the interview.
ASD Feature Updates
NEXT STEP Text™ Now Active on all accounts
ASD recently rolled out an update adding our NEXT STEP Text™ solution to all of our accounts. With this update, ASD Call Specialists will ask callers reporting a loved one’s passing if they would like to receive a text message that explains the next steps of the funeral planning process. The text message is sent from the funeral home’s main business number and any replies to it are logged within our ASD Mobile app. If you have any questions about this update, please reach out to our customer service team at solutions@myasd.com.
Learn more about ASD’s NEXT STEP Text™
ASD Refines Perfect Answer System with Voice Cloning
For years, ASD has utilized a system for answering calls that uses a prerecording of the funeral home’s name to introduce the call. This system, known as the Perfect Answer, uses high fidelity recordings and voice matching technology to ensure Call Specialists are matched to recordings that are similar to their voice. Recently, we were able to take this capability a step further by using voice cloning technology to ensure the recording that answers the line matches the exact tone of voice of the Call Specialists who is handling the call. You may notice some slight variations in your funeral home’s recorded introduction as we work to refine this system. Please reach out to our customer service team at solutions@myasd.com if you have any questions or concerns.
iOS Update Increases Importance of Saving ASD Numbers as Phone Contacts
While not technically an ASD update, we wanted to tell you about a recent change that may impact our clients who use iOS devices. Recently, Apple rolled out an update that requires callers who are not stored as contacts in your phone to leave a voicemail explaining who they are before your call can be connected. This is a great feature for preventing SPAM calls. However, we have heard from some funeral directors about missing important calls from ASD. We recommend saving the two phone numbers below in your cell phone contacts and instructing your staff to do the same to prevent this from happening.
610-744-1333 – ASD Urgent Calls
610-744-1300 – ASD First Calls
We use two different numbers depending on whether the message is urgent or a new first call, so be sure to label the phone numbers as such in your phone so you will always know when the call is regarding a recent death.
Team ASD Fall Roundup
Welcome, Ryder Joseph!
The first member of the fourth generation has arrived! Congratulations to Financial Planning Analyst, Melissa Kelley, on the birth of handsome and precious son, Ryder Joseph. We must also congratulate Family-Member Owner, Kathy Kelley, on the arrival of her first grandchild and ASD Founders, Marty and Barbara Czachor, on the birth of their first great grandchild. What a sweet bundle of joy!
Give It Up For Our Team ASD Ironman Champs!
Just as funeral directors walk families through life’s most difficult journeys, three first-time Ironman Marathon finishers from Team ASD endured every mile with perseverance and heart. Give it up for Juan Silva, Stephen Ellis and Kevin Czachor for representing our company in this grueling competition. Crossing that line wasn’t just a personal victory—it was a testament to the strength, resilience, and compassion that define our profession, all in support of the Funeral Service Foundation.
ASD Employees, Craig and Lori Meehan, Grow Record-Breaking Pumpkin
We’re so proud of our employees, Craig and Lori Meehan, for all the time and dedication they put into growing a record-breaking giant pumpkin. The 1,983 lb pumpkin took home the top prize in the Virginia State Fair’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off earlier this season. Craig and Lori’s massive pumpkin not only earned awards at the fair but also caught the attention of many news outlets. Click here to read an article about the Meehan family’s gigantic gourd.
Team ASD Conquers Spartan Race
We came, we saw, we conquered! In September, Team ASD took on the challenging and empowering Spartan Race at Citizens Bank Park. This 3 mile race with more than 15 obstacles requires us all to work together as a team. It is a truly wonderful fitness activity and team-building event. We especially love that there is no score keeping or time tracking as it allows us to focus on getting everyone across the finish line together as a team. We’re proud to say we succeeded again this year.
Team ASD Pumpkin Decorating and Costume Contest Winners
Check out the incredible winners of our staff’s 2025 Team ASD Pumpkin Decorating Contest:
- 1ST PLACE: Assistant Supervisor Jackie Spina with her Oscar pumpkin
- 2ND PLACE: Advanced Trainee Dominque Koch with her alien abduction pumpkin
- 3RD PLACE – 3 Way Tie: Customer Service Account Manager Gina McConnell with her carved pumpkins, Advanced Trainee Monica Melvin with her hedgehog pumpkin and Assistant Supervisor Gabriela Reichner with her ASD pumpkin.
Give it up for the creative champions of our staff’s 2025 Team ASD Costume Contest:
- 1ST PLACE – TIED: Ava Steele dressed as a witch and Lauren Means’ daughter dressed in an angler fish costume Lauren created.
- Runner Up: Kendra Rainwater‘s daughter as cotton candy.
Great job everyone! Thanks to all who participated. Hope everyone had a wonderful and fun Halloween!
Such a blast with all the creativity this year!
Thanks for catching up with us on the latest ASD company news. Be sure to follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to stay update-to-date on life here at ASD.
Related Reading
Introducing Cremation Air Aerial Scattering: A New Chapter from the Family Behind ASD
ASD Ironman Team Takes on Triathlon to Benefit Funeral Service Foundation
Text Messaging for Funeral Homes: Protect Privacy, Stay Connected
