This article originally appeared on Kate Boylston here.
New York, NY – September 2, 2025 – Afterword, an innovator in funeral home management software, announced today it has successfully achieved the gold standard of cloud security — the Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II Audit. This rigorous, independent assessment of internal security controls places Afterword in a class of its own, making it the first company in the funeral service profession to announce this advanced attestation.
“Trust is a cornerstone of the funeral profession, so security must be a cornerstone of our company,” said Zack Moy, Co-founder & CTO of Afterword. “Families entrust funeral directors with sensitive & personal information during a vulnerable time. We believe it’s our fundamental responsibility to provide technology that also protects that trust. Achieving SOC 2 Type II attestation isn’t just about checking a box; it’s the ultimate validation of our commitment to protecting the data of our clients and the families they serve.”
Unlike a Type I report, which assesses the design of security processes at a single point in time, the Type II audit validates their operational effectiveness over an extended period. For funeral homes, this provides verifiable proof that their business data and the sensitive information of the families they serve are protected by the highest level of security and confidentiality controls.
This enhanced security framework is the critical underpinning for Afterword’s latest innovations in artificial intelligence, including its purpose-built AI assistant, Grace. Designed to support funeral professionals by automating repetitive tasks, Grace handles sensitive information at every step.
This attestation ensures that every AI-powered action—from converting a handwritten arrangement worksheet into a digital case file, to compiling a “Family Cheat Sheet” from past records, to sending automated follow-up emails—is governed by a secure, audited process.
“AI can only be truly helpful if it’s completely trustworthy,” continued Moy. “You can’t have one without the other. Our security attestation are our promise that as we innovate with powerful tools like Grace, our first and last thought is the security. We’re not just building the future of funeral service technology. We’re making sure it’s safe.”
Afterword’s achievement goes beyond internal security, reinforcing its commitment to an open and collaborative data ecosystem. While robust security is often seen as creating walls, the company believes it is the key to building secure bridges. This attestation provides funeral homes and industry partners with the confidence to share and integrate data securely, empowering firms to own their information and use it how they see fit without compromising on safety.
“Our security posture allows us to champion data portability and integration,” stated Moy. “Our customers own their data fully, which is why we created the Funeral Data Alliance. This attestation gives them, and our integration partners, peace of mind knowing that our systems are built on a foundation of proven security, enabling a more connected and efficient future for the profession.”
