Expanded $1.5 Million iHeartMedia Initiative Brings Public Recognition to the Professionals Families Rely on Most

NEW YORK, NY — Chptr and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) announced the extension of their national radio campaign honoring funeral directors, expanding the initiative through October 25 and increasing the total investment from $1 million to $1.5 million. The campaign, part of the broader #TheFirstCall public awareness effort, continues to elevate understanding of a profession whose essential work is often carried out far from public view.

To mark the campaign’s early impact, Chptr released a short video recap highlighting the voices, moments, and messages of gratitude shared by families so far. The video can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/1232419515.

Originally scheduled to run September 22–30, the campaign has already demonstrated significant national reach. In its first eight days alone, messages of gratitude aired on 135 stations, generating more than 15 million impressions across iHeartMedia’s nationwide network. The campaign also prompted an outpouring of appreciation from families, with more than 50 thank you notes submitted from communities across the country.

One family shared a message that reflects the heart of the campaign:

“Four years ago, I experienced the most devastating loss of my life. In those darkest moments, your compassion, patience, and warmth gave my family a safe place to land. You didn’t just organize a service; you carried us through our deepest grief with respect and treated us with true dignity. Thank you for helping us honor our loved one when we didn’t have the strength to do it alone. We have never forgotten your kindness, and we remain deeply grateful for the vital work you do every day for hurting families.”

“Funeral directors are there for families on days they will remember for the rest of their lives, but most of that work happens quietly and without recognition,” said Rehan Choudhry, Founder and CEO of Chptr. “#TheFirstCall is about making that work visible. Extending this campaign allows even more families to share their gratitude and gives funeral directors something they rarely receive at this scale: public recognition for the care, steadiness, and humanity they bring to their communities every day.”

By extending #TheFirstCall from a single national moment into communities across the country, the radio campaign uses one of America’s broadest reaching media platforms to carry its message directly to the public. The initiative continues a larger effort to elevate funeral directors as essential, community first professionals and create more opportunities for families to recognize the impact of their work. Families who wish to leave a message thanking a funeral director who supported them can still visit thankyoufuneraldirectors.com.

About #TheFirstCall
#TheFirstCall is a national public awareness campaign created by Chptr to elevate understanding and recognition of funeral directors and the essential role they play in communities. The campaign began in April 2026 with a Times Square tribute honoring funeral professionals from across the United States and continues through national and local media, storytelling, and community engagement. Learn more at www.chptr.com/thefirstcall.

About Chptr
Chptr is a service first media technology company that helps funeral homes strengthen their community presence through authentic local storytelling. Chptr transforms the stories funeral homes and families already share into professionally produced content distributed across television, radio, digital, social, and other trusted local media channels. Its managed approach helps funeral homes remain visible, deepen community connections, and grow without adding work for funeral directors or their teams. Learn more at www.chptr.com.

About the National Funeral Directors Association
NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association representing 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics, and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, business tools, community building guidance, and support for future generations of funeral professionals. Visit www.NFDA.org for more information.

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