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Strategic Proposal
February 2026 | Version 1.0
The Next Generation Client Portal for Express Funeral Funding
A comprehensive proposal to transform EFF's current Express Hub into a modern, AI-powered platform designed specifically for funeral homes, cemeteries, and life insurance claims processing — delivering exceptional value for the next 15+ years.
Exclusively Prepared For
Express Funeral Funding
Leadership Team
Express Funeral Funding stands at a pivotal moment. Your current Express Hub, while functional for basic life insurance claim submissions, has reached its limitations. We propose Express Hub360 — a complete reimagining of EFF's client portal that will dramatically reduce operational costs, increase funeral home and cemetery client satisfaction, position EFF as an industry innovator, and create new revenue opportunities through AI integration and platform expansion.
The funeral services industry is undergoing significant digital transformation. Express Funeral Funding has a unique opportunity to lead this transformation by providing its funeral home and cemetery clients with a modern, AI-powered portal that meets evolving industry expectations.
In North America now offer web-based arrangements. EFF's funeral home clients expect modern digital tools.
In online funeral planning platforms. Technology-driven services are attracting significant investment.
Funeral homes now use AI-driven tools. This is a 30% increase year-over-year in AI adoption.
Funeral software market growing at 6.44% CAGR from $13B (2024). Credence Research →
EFF's funeral home and cemetery clients increasingly expect modern digital experiences. The current Express Hub's limitations put EFF at a competitive disadvantage. By launching Express Hub360, EFF will:
The funeral funding industry is evolving rapidly. Leading competitors have invested in mobile apps, real-time tracking, and fast funding. Here's the roadmap for Express Funeral Funding to not just match — but surpass — every competitor.
Essential to match current industry standards
Features that put EFF ahead of ALL competitors
COMPETITIVE MOAT
Six strategic advantages that make EFF's position unassailable in the funeral funding market.
Industry First
The only funeral funding company with true AI — intelligent chatbot, predictive delays, proactive communication. Competitors need years to catch up.
Zero Confusion
AI-powered notifications explain delays before clients ask. Smart alerts for missing documents. No angry calls — just informed, happy clients.
Complete Visibility
Every document, every claim, instantly accessible. Secure cloud storage with smart organization, version control, and instant retrieval.
Scales With Growth
Dynamic interfaces for corporate groups with multi-location dashboards, sophisticated KPIs, role-based access.
35-60% Cost Savings
Certified Zoho developers with deep funeral industry knowledge. Perfect CRM/Sign integration, faster development, lower costs.
24/7 AI Support
AI reads internal notes to answer client questions: Why not funded? What's the delay? What's next? 24/7 instant answers.
Hub360 isn't just an upgrade — it's a strategic fortress that makes EFF's market position unassailable for years to come.
Express Funeral Funding is part of a powerful family of companies serving the death care industry. Hub360 opens the door for future integrations that are impossible with the current Hub — creating strategic possibilities for collaboration.
Together, the family serves thousands of funeral homes and cemeteries. Hub360 lays the foundation for future collaboration.
Family Member | Insurance Funding
Life insurance assignment processing and funding for funeral homes. The company Hub360 will transform.
🔗 www.expressfuneralfunding.comParent Company | Since 1913
America's leading funeral stationery provider. Memorial register books, service folders, prayer cards, and personalized keepsakes.
Sister Company | 1M+ Prints
Original fingerprint keepsake jewelry artisans since 1998. Unique fingerprint necklaces, rings, and keepsakes with Thumbies Snap mobile app.
Sister Company | 1,000+ Sites
All-in-one cloud-based cemetery management software. Interactive mapping, burial records, public search portals across 40+ states.
While the current Hub has no integration capabilities, Hub360's modern architecture creates the foundation that could enable family company collaboration down the road.
With Hub360's foundation, these integrations become possible — when the time is right.
Funding + stationery + keepsakes could work together
Client info could flow securely between companies
CemSites records could link to EFF claims
Cross-company insights could become possible
Introduce FHs to other family services
No competitor has this opportunity
Hub360 isn't just a portal upgrade — it opens doors for future integrations among the Messenger family of companies. This strategic flexibility is impossible with the current Hub.
Before diving into detailed features, here's a high-level view of what changes — and why it matters for EFF's future.
Third-Party Managed
AI-Powered • In-House
The current Hub has no AI foundation, no Zoho integration, and third-party dependency. Adding these would cost more than rebuilding. Hub360 gives us full ownership.
Competitors invest in tech. Funeral homes expect AI self-service. Without Hub360: lost enterprise accounts, higher support costs, no future flexibility.
Hub360 makes EFF the ONLY funder with AI delay explanations, proactive doc requests, enterprise dashboards, and foundation for future family integrations.
Certified Zoho developers with funeral industry expertise. No learning curve, no third-party rates. 35-60% savings, features in days not weeks.
A detailed comparison between EFF's current Express Hub and the proposed Express Hub360, organized by feature category to clearly show enhancements, upgrades, replacements, and completely new capabilities for EFF's funeral home clients.
| EFF Portal Feature |  Express Hub (Current) |
360 Express Hub360 (New) |
|---|---|---|
| 🔧 ENHANCEMENTS - Improving Existing Features | ||
| Life Insurance Claims Management | Basic - Create & view claims | Advanced - Full lifecycle, timeline, documents, activity log |
| Claim Status Filtering | Basic - By status only | Advanced - Multi-criteria: date, FH, insurance, amount |
| User Management | Basic - Simple roles | Advanced - Granular permissions, audit logs, SSO-ready |
| Notifications (SMS/Email) | Limited - Basic alerts | Multi-channel - Live, push, SMS, email, in-app |
| ⬆️ UPGRADES - Significantly Better Versions | ||
| Claim Messaging | Basic - Leave message on claim | Live Chat - Real-time with history, participants |
| Mobile Experience | Partial - Poor on mobile | 100% - Mobile-first, tablet optimized |
| User Interface Design | Basic - Dated, static | Modern - Cinematic UI, smooth animations |
| Account Management | Basic - Same for all FHs | Dynamic - Custom UI per funeral home via Zoho CRM |
| 🔄 REPLACEMENTS - New Systems for Old | ||
| Development Platform | Azure - Third-party, expensive | Zoho - In-house, integrated with CRM |
| Development Speed | Weeks - For small changes | Days - Rapid iteration |
| Development Cost | High - Third-party rates | 35-60% Less - Affordable + faster dev from Zoho & funeral expertise |
| ✨ NEW FEATURES - Completely New Capabilities | ||
| AI Chatbot + Delay Explanations | None | 24/7 AI - Chatbot + AI explains delays using claim data |
| AI Claim Intelligence | None | Smart - Reads internal notes: Why? Last activity? Next? |
| Instant Funding Notifications | None | Real-time - Clients see EFF's funding speed |
| Dynamic User-Type UI | Same for all | Adaptive - Small FH vs. Corporate dashboards/KPIs |
| Enterprise Analytics | None | Corporate - Multi-location, sophisticated reporting |
| Document Repository | None | Centralized - Upload, preview, organize, track |
| Funeral Home ERP/CRM Module | None | Hub360 Pro - Optional add-on for FH management |
Artificial Intelligence represents the most transformative opportunity for Express Funeral Funding. AI integration will revolutionize how funeral homes and cemeteries interact with EFF's platform, dramatically reduce support costs, and position EFF as a technology leader in funeral funding.
AI integration across every touchpoint to create a smarter, faster, more efficient platform for EFF's funeral home and cemetery clients — while reducing the support burden on EFF's team.
24/7 AI assistant answers "Where's my claim?" instantly. Funeral directors get instant answers, keeping them connected to EFF around the clock.
When funding takes longer, AI uses claim history & insurance data to explain delays proactively — clients get answers, no frustration.
AI reads internal staff notes (private to EFF) to answer: Why not funded? Last activity? What's next? — without exposing internal details.
When EFF funds quickly, clients get real-time notifications so they recognize EFF's speed and value — highlighting the service.
Different UI for small FHs vs. large corporations — enterprise users get multi-location dashboards, advanced KPIs, corporate reporting.
AI predicts claim approval probability, estimated processing time, and potential issues before they become problems.
AI monitors patterns and alerts EFF staff to unusual claim amounts, potential duplicate submissions, or data inconsistencies requiring review.
Automated reports on processing times, bottlenecks, high-volume funeral homes, and areas needing attention for EFF management.
AI forecasts claim volumes, staffing needs, and peak periods based on historical EFF data and industry trends.
Automated review of claim completeness, policy validation, and compliance checking before EFF processes payment.
Hub360's AI will use established, secure platforms trusted by businesses worldwide. We'll evaluate options for each use case:
OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude
Zoho Analytics + AI-powered insights
All AI evaluated for security & privacy before use
Hub360 can integrate EFF's eFAX system directly into the portal:
Handling sensitive life insurance information for Express Funeral Funding's clients requires secure infrastructure and full transparency. Express Hub360 is built with proven technologies and industry-standard security practices.
Cloudflare protects millions of websites globally. Your data benefits from the same enterprise-grade protection.
No proprietary frameworks or locked systems. Standard web technologies that any qualified developer can work with.
Automated backups, secure hosting, and full documentation mean EFF's investment is protected long-term.
If EFF ever decides to work with another provider, all resources transfer seamlessly. No strings attached.
| Aspect | Express Hub |
360 Hub360 |
|---|---|---|
| Code Ownership | Third-party controlled | 100% owned by EFF |
| Documentation | Limited | Comprehensive documentation |
| Technologies | Azure proprietary | Standard HTML, CSS, JS, Deluge |
| Hosting | Azure servers | Cloudflare-secured |
| Future Flexibility | Vendor locked | Work with any developer |
Express Hub360 integrates seamlessly with EFF's existing Zoho CRM, which remains the authoritative source of truth. All code, documentation, and resources are delivered to EFF — your investment is fully yours, with no dependency on any single vendor.
The financial case for Express Hub360 is compelling for Express Funeral Funding. Cost savings come from two key factors: more affordable rates and significantly faster development driven by our deep Zoho expertise and extensive funeral industry experience — making the entire process more efficient.
| Cost Category | Express Hub (Annual) | Express Hub360 | EFF Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development & Changes | High (third-party rates) | Affordable + faster from expertise | ~35-60% less |
| New Feature Development | Weeks to months | Days to weeks | 5x faster |
| Client Communication | Clients must call for updates | 24/7 AI-powered support | Always connected |
| Training New FH Users | Manual, time-intensive | AI-assisted, self-service | ~50% less effort |
| Bug Fixes & Maintenance | Expensive, slow | Quick, in-house | ~70% faster |
| Task Type | Current Timeline | Hub360 Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Minor UI Change | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 days |
| New Report for FHs | 4-8 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| New Feature Module | 3-6 months | 4-8 weeks |
| Critical Bug Fix | 1-2 weeks | Same day |
No more dependency on expensive third-party Azure developers who raise prices and shuffle teams. EFF gains full ownership and control.
Modern, AI-powered portal differentiates EFF from other funding companies. Better funeral home retention and acquisition.
Hub360 Pro (ERP/CRM for funeral homes) can be offered as a paid add-on, creating new revenue opportunities for EFF.
Better UX, faster responses, AI assistance = happier funeral home clients = higher retention and referrals for EFF.
A transparent breakdown of the Hub360 investment, delivery timeline, and what's included — built for EFF's long-term success.
Our enterprise rate is $175/hour — but for projects of this scale, we provide a fixed investment model instead of hourly billing. This protects EFF from cost overruns. When maintenance begins, EFF receives a 40% loyalty discount on our standard rate.
Estimated Project Investment
Full-feature estimate including all AI integrations
*Subject to final scope confirmation
Estimated Delivery Timeline
Comfortable pace — can be accelerated if needed
New ideas emerge throughout enterprise projects. We recommend budgeting an additional 25% buffer for enhancements discovered during development. This is innovation, not scope creep — every successful platform grows beyond its initial vision.
~3-4 Months • Heaviest Lift
Rebuild all current Hub functionality. Guaranteed no step down. Core infrastructure, Zoho CRM APIs, authentication, claims management.
~2-3 Months • The Magic
All new capabilities: AI chatbot, delay explanations, document repository, live chat, enterprise analytics, dynamic UI.
~1-2 Months • Perfection
Final cleanup, workflows, notifications, email alerts, UI perfection, extensive QA testing, production deployment.
Enterprise Dev Agencies
12-18 months • Offshore teams
EAS for EFF
6-9 months • 100% USA team
* Based on enterprise development market rates for custom portal solutions with AI, document management, and real-time features.
🛡️ Zero Downtime Guarantee — Current Hub remains fully operational throughout development
The cost of inaction is often greater than the cost of transformation
Vendor raises prices, cycles through unfamiliar devs. $5K-$10K for simple changes, 2-4+ weeks. EFF forced to slow improvements.
Other funders actively modernizing with AI and self-service. First-mover advantage creates lasting moats.
Funeral directors use modern apps daily. They expect the same from EFF. Outdated portal = outdated partner.
Enterprise clients need modern portals. Without Hub360, EFF misses opportunities to grow funding volume.
Every major technology initiative carries inherent risks. Here's how we proactively mitigate them to ensure a smooth, successful transition for Express Funeral Funding.
Current Express Hub continues operating normally throughout development. Hub360 runs in parallel until fully tested.
Same professional security practices used by businesses worldwide. Cloudflare hosting, backups, encrypted connections. EFF owns 100%.
Original Express Hub remains intact and can be reactivated immediately if needed — no data loss, no panic.
We become your long-term technology partner, invested in your success.
Express Hub360 will be developed by Express Automation Solutions (EAS), a Louisville, Kentucky-based technology company with over a decade of proven expertise in business automation, custom portal development, and Zoho ecosystem mastery — making us the ideal partner for Express Funeral Funding's digital transformation.
Official Zoho Advanced Partner | Louisville, Kentucky | 100% USA-Based
Certified partnership demonstrating highest level of Zoho expertise — ideal for EFF's Zoho CRM integration.
Zoho Creator Certified Developer, CRM Consultant, and 6+ additional certifications across the Zoho ecosystem.
Extensive experience building custom portals exactly like Express Hub360 for 50+ industries including professional services.
8+ certified developers, all based in the United States. No offshore outsourcing. Direct communication with EFF.
Deep expertise across 45+ Zoho applications — perfectly aligned with EFF's existing Zoho CRM and Sign infrastructure.
Specialized in building sophisticated client portals with advanced widgets, JavaScript, and seamless CRM integration.
OpenAI and Zoho Zia integration experience. Building intelligent automation that reduces manual work for clients like EFF.
REST/SOAP API expertise connecting Zoho with external systems — ready to integrate with EFF's insurance company partners.
Explore our mock portals built from the ground up at our website — see firsthand the quality and capabilities we deliver for clients like EFF.
🌐 Visit expressautomations.comThe evidence is clear: Express Hub360 represents a transformational opportunity for Express Funeral Funding. The current Express Hub has served its purpose, but its limitations in cost, speed, features, and scalability are holding EFF back from fully serving its funeral home and cemetery clients.
We recommend proceeding with the development of Express Hub360 as the next-generation client portal for Express Funeral Funding. This investment will transform EFF's technology capabilities, dramatically reduce costs, and position the company for sustained growth in serving funeral homes and cemeteries over the next decade and beyond.
Approve the Express Hub360 initiative and allocate resources for Phase 1 development for EFF.
Finalize the EAS development team assignment and establish EFF project governance.
Create detailed technical specifications and project timeline aligned with EFF's priorities.
Begin Phase 1 development with regular progress updates to EFF stakeholders.
✅ All criteria met — Hub360 is ready for approval
This proposal was custom-built exclusively for Express Funeral Funding
Express Hub360 Strategic Proposal | February 2026
Prepared by Express Automation Solutions | Confidential - EFF Internal Use Only