Meet TeamTangoAI: The AI Assistant Built for Funeral Service
TeamTangoAI, an artificial intelligence platform built exclusively for funeral homes, cremation providers, and deathcare organizations, has officially launched.
The company was founded by Jimmy Lucas, a sixth-generation funeral professional whose family has served families since 1860, and Jeff Chen, a technology executive with more than 25 years of experience in enterprise technology, cloud infrastructure, and business automation.
Unlike general-purpose AI tools, TeamTangoAI was developed specifically for the workflows and communication needs of the funeral and cremation profession first-call intake, after-hours coverage, scheduling, family questions, and the routine interactions that pull staff away from the families in front of them.
The company is focused first on the providers it believes it can help most: affordable, online and direct-cremation brands. Those businesses run on lean teams, high call volume, and the tightest margins in deathcare, which makes every missed call and every interruption costly. TeamTangoAI is equally capable in a traditional funeral home, but Lucas and Chen built it around the realities of the modern, digital-first cremation business and that is where the platform delivers the clearest return.
The platform was not built in a vacuum. It was developed and refined inside Lucas’s own direct-cremation business, Simple Cremation, where the daily strain of missed calls and constant interruptions first sparked the idea.
“The idea grew out of a challenge in our own business,” said Lucas, co-founder of TeamTangoAI and CEO of Lucas Funerals & Cremations. “Our team was constantly being pulled away by simple phone calls and routine questions, and every interruption takes attention away from the families we’re serving. We wanted to know whether technology could handle the repetitive work so our people could focus on what requires compassion and expertise.”
To build it, Lucas turned to Chen, his friend of nearly four decades. The two share more than a long friendship: When Chen’s parents passed away, it was Lucas who served as their funeral director and celebrant and today both families hold property at the same cemetery. That history shaped how the partners think about technology’s place in a profession built on trust.
“The funeral profession is built on compassion and personal connection,” said Chen, co-founder of TeamTangoAI. “Technology should remove friction from everyday operations, but it should never replace the human relationships at the heart of funeral service. Our goal is to give directors back the hours lost to routine calls and paperwork so they can spend that time with families.”
TeamTangoAI’s assistants always identify themselves as virtual assistants and are trained on each firm’s pricing, services, policies and tone. On a first call, the assistant can either handle the initial intake or warm-transfer the caller to an on-call cremation specialist or funeral director entirely according to each firm’s preference, so providers stay in control of how families are received.
To learn more or schedule a demonstration, visit TeamTangoAI.com.
Son of Spencer Leak Jr. Reflects on Father’s Legacy
The son of the late Spencer Leak Jr., vice president of Leak and Sons Funeral Homes, has spoken publicly about his father’s life and lasting impact following his unexpected death with ABC7 Chicago.
In a one-on-one interview with ABC7 Chicago, Spencer Leak III reflected on his father’s legacy and the personal loss the family is experiencing. Leak Jr. died suddenly May 31at the age of 56. He had recently been involved in coordinating the funeral arrangements for civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., a role that underscored his prominence and respect within the community.
Jesse Jackson Jr. described Leak Jr.’s influence as profound, emphasizing the consistent compassion he showed in serving families from all backgrounds and economic circumstances.
Spencer Leak III shared that he is committed to continuing his father’s work. He described growing up admiring his father and observing firsthand how he balanced the emotional demands of serving grieving families while maintaining stability at home. He also expressed the weight of responsibility he now feels in stepping into a leadership role within the family business, while acknowledging the difficulty of adjusting to life without his father.
Leak III, who is 22, recently completed college and had just begun working full time with the family business a week before his father’s death. He noted that his father had expressed pride in his new role, even documenting his first day on the job in a video message of encouragement.
The sudden loss has been difficult for the family, particularly as Leak Jr. did not have known health conditions prior to becoming ill.
Welton Hong Shares 10 Local Search Insights to Boost Market Share
Welton Hong, the founder and CEO of Ring Ring Marketing, recently wrote an article highlighting 10 local search insights that funeral homes and cemeteries can’t afford to ignore.
For funeral homes and cemeteries, local search is no longer just a marketing tactic. It is often the first interaction a family has with your business during one of the most emotionally vulnerable moments of their lives.
When someone searches “funeral home near me,” “cremation services,” or “cemetery nearby,” Google increasingly determines who gets considered — and who gets overlooked. That reality has intensified as artificial intelligence reshapes search behavior and online discovery.
At the same time, many deathcare professionals still underestimate how interconnected Google Maps, reviews, AI-generated answers, local directories and conversational search have become.
The fundamentals of trust and reputation still matter. But the signals Google and AI systems use to measure trust are evolving rapidly.
Here are 10 local search insights funeral homes and cemeteries should understand …
Registration Is Open for the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo
The 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo, taking place October 25-28 in Charlotte, North Carolina, will have an even stronger international presence as NFDA hosts the annual meeting of FIAT-IFTA (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Thanatologues – International Federation of Thanatologists Associations), welcoming additional funeral professionals from around the world and creating expanded opportunities for global collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Known for speed, innovation and Southern hospitality, Charlotte provides an ideal backdrop for a profession that continues to evolve, adapt and keep pace with changing consumer expectations.
This year’s education program includes sessions exploring topics such as:
- Leadership strategies focused on building strong cultures, leading through change and preparing the next generation of funeral service leaders
- Helping families navigate difficult conversations, grief, sudden loss and increasingly complex decisions around disposition and remembrance
- Strengthening community relationships through aftercare, outreach, hospice partnerships and crisis response collaboration
- Practical approaches to creating exceptional family experiences through stronger communication, personalized service and more effective arrangement conferences
- Legal, ethical and compliance issues, including risk management, Funeral Rule updates and advocacy developments from Washington, D.C.
- Marketing, branding and business strategies designed to strengthen visibility, build trust and position funeral homes for long-term success
- Emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and changing consumer preferences shaping the future of funeral service
The latest information, including information on how to register and make hotel reservations, is available at NFDA.org/Convention or by calling 262-789-1880.
NFDA International Convention & Expo participants should register on or before Thursday, August 13 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. After August 13, registration fees will increase by $200.
Foundation Partners Group Appoints Jim Evanger as CEO and President
Foundation Partners Group, one of the nation’s leading providers of funeral, cemetery and cremation services, recently announced the appointment of Jim Evanger as chief executive officer and president, effective immediately.
Evanger succeeds John D. Smith, who led the organization through its recent ownership transition. In making the announcement, Chairman Ray Wallander expressed appreciation for Smith’s leadership, commitment and service during an important chapter in the company’s growth.
“Foundation Partners has a strong foundation, a talented leadership team and an extraordinary group of professionals serving families every day,” Wallander said. “Jim brings extensive operating experience and a proven record of building high-performing, customer-focused organizations. We are confident he is the right leader to build on our momentum and guide our next phase growth.”
Evanger brings more than three decades of leadership experience across consumer services, healthcare, retail, B2C, franchising, manufacturing and private equity-backed businesses. Throughout his career, he has led large organizations, strengthened operations and delivered sustainable business growth.
“Our mission remains unchanged,” Wallander said. “Families place an incredible amount of trust in us during some of the most difficult days of their lives. Everything we do begins with honoring that trust by delivering compassionate care, exceptional service and meaningful experiences for the families we serve.”
Evanger will work closely with the executive leadership team to advance the company’s long-term growth strategy while maintaining a strong focus on supporting team members, serving families, and strengthening industry and community partnerships.
“Foundation Partners is well-positioned for the future,” Wallander said. “We have a clear purpose, a strong team and a shared commitment to excellence. Jim’s experience leading complex service organizations makes him uniquely qualified to lead the company forward.”
Get More Eyes on Your Obituaries and Stay Visible in Your Community
Funeral homes throughout the country are discovering the power of Ring Ring Marketing’s Obituary Promotion Service.
You post obituaries to inform families and your community, but most of them are only seen by a small group of people. That means your funeral home is missing consistent visibility where it matters most.
The Obituary Promotion Service helps extend the reach of every obituary so more local people see it.
Ring Ring Marketing handles the promotion for you, so each obituary reaches the right local audience. This brings more people to your website, keeps your funeral home name in front of the community and builds familiarity over time. The result is stronger awareness, greater trust and more first calls when families need to choose.
Central Ohio Funeral Home Sued After Cremation Mistake
A central Ohio family has filed a lawsuit against a Hilliard funeral home after what they describe as a deeply distressing mistake involving the cremation of their mother against her documented wishes, 10tv.com reported.
According to court filings, Nancy Anders had preplanned and prepaid her funeral arrangements, explicitly requesting burial alongside her late husband and rejecting cremation due to personal beliefs. Her family says those instructions were clearly documented and agreed upon in advance.
The lawsuit alleges that Tidd Funeral Home mistakenly cremated Anders’ body in May 2025 without proper authorization, despite no signed cremation consent form. The family was reportedly informed about a week after her death that the cremation had already occurred.
Relatives claim the error caused severe emotional distress, including physical illness and ongoing mental anguish, and argue that the funeral home failed to follow established procedures designed to prevent such mistakes. They are seeking damages and a jury trial.
In a public statement, Tidd Funeral Home acknowledged the error, called it a rare but serious failure, and expressed remorse. The funeral home said it has self-reported the incident to regulators, terminated the employee involved and issued a refund to the family. It also stated it assisted with arrangements to fulfill the intended burial plan after the mistake was discovered.
The case now moves forward in court as both sides dispute the circumstances and scope of liability.
Coroner-Elect in Arkansas Arrested Following Probe into Alleged Pet Cremation Scheme
Shane Russell, the sheriff of Sharp County, Arkansas, has announced the arrest of Seth Wortham, the coroner-elect for Sharp County, following an investigation by the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office, ABC7 On Your Side reported.
Wortham was taken into custody and booked into the Sharp County Detention Center on charges including Theft of Property, Obstructing Governmental Operations, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
According to investigators, the charges are tied to an ongoing case involving allegations that Wortham accepted payment for pet cremation services that were reportedly never carried out.
The complaint states that Wortham received payment to cremate a pet and later provided ashes to the pet owner that were represented as belonging to that animal.
Investigators allege those remains did not come from the pet in question. Instead, authorities believe the animal was never cremated and was buried at a site in Sharp County. They further allege that the ashes given to the owner originated from a different animal that had been cremated years earlier.
The case has been forwarded to prosecuting authorities for review and potential action.
Pinnacle Funeral Service Buys Wisconsin Firm Serving More than 500 Families Per Year
Pinnacle Funeral Service has announced the acquisition of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. One of the largest and most respected funeral service providers in the state, the firm serves more than 500 families annually throughout southern Wisconsin.
The business joins 14 other Wisconsin funeral homes that have partnered with Pinnacle in recent years, adding another long-standing, family-centered funeral home to its growing network of community-based firms.
The Langendorf family conducted an extensive search process, evaluating multiple ownership and succession options before selecting Pinnacle Funeral Service as the best long-term partner for the firm, its employees, and the families it serves.
“As our family began discussing succession planning, we focused on finding a partner who would not only protect the legacy that has been established over generations, but also build upon it,” said Mark Langendorf. “We spoke with a number of potential partners, but Pinnacle stood apart –
because of its respect for local leadership, its commitment to maintaining our identity in the community, and the quality of the people we met throughout the process. After getting to know the Pinnacle team, we became confident they would take great care of our business, our staff, and the families we serve.”
Tony Kumming, president of Pinnacle Funeral Service, said the acquisition reflects the company’s commitment to partnering with exceptional funeral homes that are deeply rooted in their communities.
“Draeger-Langendorf has built an exceptional reputation through generations of dedicated service to families,” said Kumming. “We are honored to continue that legacy while providing additional resources and support to the team. Great funeral homes succeed because of their people, their reputation, and their community relationships, and we work hard to preserve those strengths while helping owners and staff focus on serving families.”
Langendorf said families should expect continuity moving forward.
“Families can expect continuity in the aspects of our service that matter most,” Langendorf said. “Pinnacle approached every conversation with transparency, professionalism, and respect for our family’s legacy. Looking back, I am confident we found the right steward for the future of this business, our employees, and the families we serve.”
Owensboro Funeral Director John Hill Becomes First from City to Lead Kentucky State Association
Owensboro funeral director John Hill has been appointed president of the Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky, marking the first time a funeral professional from Owensboro has led the statewide organization, the Owensboro Times reported.
Hill is vice president, funeral director, and embalmer with James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory in Owensboro and Cecil’s Funeral Home in Whitesville, and he also owns Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam. His installation took place during the association’s 144th annual convention held in Louisville.
The Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky represents funeral homes throughout the state and works on a range of industry issues, including legislative advocacy, regulatory matters, continuing education requirements, and disaster response coordination.
Hill noted that the organization serves as a unified voice for funeral service providers across Kentucky.
His involvement with the association began roughly eight years ago when he was selected as a district chair representing western Kentucky. He subsequently moved through a series of leadership roles, including president-elect, before assuming the presidency.
He described the appointment as a significant professional milestone.
