You know the drill: every year, the subscription fees go up, the support gets slower, and you’re still renting your own funeral home software. That’s the CIMS treadmill. You pay for years, but the moment you stop, your access, and your data, are at risk. For funeral home owners tired of endless fees and lock-in, it’s time to look at real CIMS (funeral) alternatives.
FrontRunner Professional, Osiris, FDMS, MiMS, and FuneralTech all make the shortlist, their features can handle most shops. But they all share the same core problem: you never own the system. If you want out of the rent-forever model, a custom Devaims build is the answer, your data, your platform, your rules. Here’s how all the top options really stack up.
Why funeral homes look for CIMS (funeral) alternatives
Monthly and per-location fees never stop. Most platforms charge per branch, per user, or per case, and the cost climbs as you grow. After five years, you’ve paid for the software several times over.
Locked into contracts, stuck with price hikes. Many tools require annual contracts or auto-renew, making it hard to leave when rates go up or service slips.
Missing features locked behind higher tiers. Reporting, integrations, and digital assets are often paywalled or require add-ons you didn’t budget for.
Your data is hostage. You don’t actually own your client records or case files, exporting is limited, and changing systems can get messy or costly.
Support and updates slow down. After the initial onboarding, many vendors outsource support or delay new features, leaving your team waiting. These pain points drive the search for CIMS (funeral) alternatives that put you back in control.
Quick comparison of the best CIMS (funeral) alternatives
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | You own it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| FrontRunner Professional | Integrated website & case management | Proposal only | No |
| PassageQuest | Workflow automation | Proposal only | No |
| Osiris | Multi-location, unlimited cases | $135/mo | No |
| FDMS | Traditional funeral homes | Proposal only | No |
| CRaKN | Case management automation | Proposal only | No |
| MiMS | Flexible integrations | £50/mo | No |
| FuneralTech | Digital assets & websites | Proposal only | No |
| Tribute Management | Obituary & tribute workflow | Proposal only | No |
| Devaims (owned) | Custom, owned forever | One-time build, you own it | Yes |
Always confirm current pricing and contract terms before you decide, rates and fees change quickly in funeral home software.
The 9 best CIMS (funeral) alternatives
1. FrontRunner Professional (Integrated website & case management)
FrontRunner Professional combines funeral home management, website hosting, and tribute pages in a single platform. If you want an all-in-one with strong web presence tools, it’s well-known in the industry. Unlike CIMS, FrontRunner has shifted under Tribute Technology, which means more integrations but also less control over core features.
Pricing: Pricing by proposal. Demo required for details. See official site.
- Integrated website and tribute management
- Strong industry reputation
- Now backed by Tribute Technology for broader integrations
- Records occasionally fail to sync or display due to publishing workflow quirks
- No ownership, all data and features are leased
- Contract and setup terms are not transparent
If you ever want to migrate, getting your data out can be challenging, something you never deal with on owned software like Devaims builds.
2. PassageQuest (Workflow automation)
PassageQuest aims to automate common funeral home workflows, from scheduling to documentation. While not as widely adopted as CIMS, it has a loyal base among smaller operators who need task reminders and checklists above all. Its automation features are strong, though it lacks the deep reporting and ownership flexibility of a custom solution.
Pricing: Pricing by proposal. Demo required for details.
- Automates repetitive admin work
- Simple onboarding for staff
- Stable, reliable uptime
- Limited advanced analytics or integrations
- All features remain subscription-locked
- Changing automation rules often requires vendor support
With Devaims, you could own these automation rules and customize them as your operation grows, not as the vendor decides.
3. Osiris (Multi-location, unlimited cases)
Osiris is one of the few CIMS (funeral) alternatives with transparent pricing and clear per-case structure. For operators with multiple branches, “unlimited cases” is a big draw. Unlike CIMS, Osiris offers both a full and ‘Lite’ plan for smaller operations.
Pricing: $135 per month (unlimited cases, four computers); Lite version $65/month for up to 75 cases. See G2 pricing.
- Simple pricing, visible up front
- Handles unlimited cases on main plan
- Works across multiple branches
- 3 out of 5 stars on G2, users cite workflow quirks
- Additional computers add extra monthly fees
- No data ownership, still a subscription
On software you owned, you’d never pay a hardware seat fee or user surcharge again.
4. FDMS (Traditional funeral homes)
FDMS (Funeral Director’s Management System) offers traditional case management with industry-specific reporting and integrated forms. It’s pitched at funeral homes that want a quick onboarding and reliable support. Unlike CIMS, FDMS includes initial training in its setup process.
Pricing: Pricing by quote, but positioned as less than the cost of an average funeral per year. See pricing info.
- Fast onboarding (often under a week)
- Industry-specific support
- Includes initial training for staff
- No public pricing transparency
- Locked into annual contracts for most features
- Data export options are limited
That’s the kind of onboarding speed you’d expect from a custom Devaims build, without the annual contract or data export headaches.
5. CRaKN (Case management automation)
CRaKN is a workflow-focused case management system popular with mid-sized funeral homes. It automates compliance tasks and documentation flows, reducing manual entry. While CIMS focuses on cemetery management, CRaKN is all about funeral case throughput and automating the paperwork you hate.
Pricing: Proposal only, demo required.
- Strong workflow automation
- Designed for funeral-specific compliance
- Improves staff efficiency
- All features are behind an ongoing subscription
- Limited reporting unless on higher-tier plans
- No full data export or ownership
6. MiMS (Flexible integrations)
MiMS stands out for its flexible pricing and integrations, including with QuickBooks Online and Xero. Its modular packages are appealing for funeral homes that want to start small and scale up. Unlike CIMS, MiMS is built to connect to your accounting and production stack, but it’s still a rented platform.
Pricing: £50/month for Starter; volume discounts on Enterprise.
- Integrates with major accounting platforms
- Modular, scalable plans
- Custom website options available
- Features like digital asset management require higher packages
- Pricing in GBP may not suit US operators
- No source code ownership
That kind of integration could be baked into a custom Devaims build and tailored to your exact stack.
7. FuneralTech (Digital assets & websites)
FuneralTech specializes in digital assets, tribute pages, and integrated website tools. For funeral homes looking to modernize their online presence, FuneralTech is a top alternative to CIMS. It’s website-forward but still charges recurring fees for ongoing features.
Pricing: Demo required, quote only. See official site.
- Strong digital tribute features
- Modern web design tools for funeral homes
- Integrated with leading obituary networks
- Obituary/tribute features are add-on modules
- No ownership of platform or data
- Recurring subscription required for support and updates
8. Tribute Management (Obituary & tribute workflow)
Tribute Management Software focuses on obituary creation, publishing, and tribute management. It streamlines the process of posting and managing life stories across sites and networks. For shops that want to automate obituary workflow, it’s a solid CIMS (funeral) alternative, but it remains a rented solution.
Pricing: Quote only, demo required.
- Automates obituary workflow
- Integrates with tribute networks
- Reduces manual data entry
- All features require ongoing subscription
- No true case management, focuses on tributes only
- Export and ownership limited
9. Devaims (Custom, owned forever)
Devaims builds custom funeral home management software you own outright. You get the source code, full data access, and the ability to add or change features as your business evolves. No subscriptions, no seat fees, no lock-in. If you’re ready to stop renting and start owning, this is the option that puts you fully in control.
- You own the platform, source code, and all data
- No recurring per-seat, per-case, or per-location fees, just a flat maintenance plan
- Custom features, integrations, and workflows tailored to your operation
- Migration and onboarding handled for you
- Scales as you grow, without extra fees or contracts
Other CIMS (funeral) alternatives worth knowing
- Aurora Funeral Solutions: Focuses on merchandising and pre-need tracking, but less comprehensive for case management.
- Epitaphe: More cemetery-focused, not a full funeral home system.
- Bereave: Modern UI, but still a SaaS subscription with limited integrations.
These options fill certain niches but are not full CIMS (funeral) alternatives for most funeral home workflows.
How to choose the right CIMS (funeral) alternative
- Budget: Calculate your 5-year cost, including seats and add-ons.
- Workflow fit: Does the tool automate what your staff actually does?
- Data ownership: Can you export everything if you ever leave?
- Integrations: Will it connect to your accounting, website, and other tools?
- Scalability: Can it grow from one location to many without surprise fees?
If you want to own your workflow and data forever, you’re ready for the Devaims route.
Stop paying rent on software you could own
Here’s the real problem: every CIMS (funeral) alternative on this list, FrontRunner, Osiris, FDMS, MiMS, FuneralTech, and the rest, makes you rent your own system. Per-seat, per-case, per-location, or some cocktail of all three. You never own the platform. You never escape the monthly bill. And every time you grow, so does the fee.
Devaims builds custom funeral home management software that you own outright. You keep the source code, the data, and the freedom to adapt the system to your workflow as your business evolves. No vendor lock-in. No “premium” add-ons for basic features. Just a platform that grows with you, because it’s yours.
- Per-seat and per-case fees disappear: Add staff and locations without penalty.
- Your feature requests get built, not paywalled: If you need a new report, it’s yours, no waiting for a vendor update.
- Your data is always yours: Full access, no export games, no service interruptions if you stop paying.
- No contract lock-in: You own the software, period.
| Tool | Ownership | Typical contract | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|
| FrontRunner Professional | No | Annual or multi-year | Vendor-limited |
| Osiris | No | Monthly, recurring | Limited |
| FDMS | No | Annual | Limited to vendor |
| Devaims (owned) | Yes (source code) | None | Full, per your specs |
Let’s run the numbers for a funeral home with 3 locations and 12 staff. Assume your current SaaS runs $135 per month for the main plan, plus $9.95 per extra computer (say 10 total), plus “growth” fees as you add cases. That’s about $230/month per location, or $690/month total. Over five years: $690 x 12 x 5 = $41,400, just for access.
| Year | Rented (cumulative) | Owned (Devaims) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8,280 | $32,000 (build) + $2,400 (maint) = $34,400 |
| 2 | $16,560 | $36,800 |
| 3 | $24,840 | $41,200 |
| 4 | $33,120 | $45,600 |
| 5 | $41,400 | $50,000 |
By year 5, renting and owning are neck and neck, but in year 6 and beyond, the owned platform pulls ahead, because you’re only paying flat maintenance, not endless per-seat fees. For larger operations, that crossover happens even sooner. If you want a real-world math run for your shop, Devaims will do it for free.
How to switch from CIMS (funeral)
- Export all client and case data from CIMS, request a full export if possible.
- Choose your new tool or custom build, based on workflow and cost.
- Map and import data to the new system, cleaning up fields and records as needed.
- Reconnect payments, website integrations, and digital asset tools.
- Train your staff on new workflows and features.
- Run both systems in parallel for a month to catch any migration issues, then switch fully.
- Review your CIMS contract and terminate per their terms.
With a custom Devaims build, the migration is handled as part of the project.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best CIMS (funeral) alternative for multi-location operators?
Osiris and FrontRunner Professional are popular with multi-location funeral homes due to their unlimited case plans and integrated website features. But if you want to truly own your platform and scale without penalty, Devaims is the only option that lets you keep the software as your business grows.
What’s the cheapest alternative to CIMS (funeral)?
Osiris Lite ($65/month) and MiMS Starter (£50/month) are the lowest-cost off-the-shelf options. But calculate your 5-year cost, these savings disappear fast at scale. Owning through Devaims can be cheaper in the long run.
Is there a free funeral home management platform?
No full-featured, reliable free CIMS (funeral) alternatives exist for funeral homes. Most tools are SaaS subscriptions with tiered pricing. Some offer free trials, but ongoing use always costs.
Which tool has the best obituary and tribute features?
FuneralTech and Tribute Management both focus on digital tributes and obituary workflow. If you need deep tribute automation and web publishing, they’re strong. But again, you’re renting, Devaims can build custom tribute workflows you own.
Can I keep my old case data when switching from CIMS?
Exporting from CIMS can be tricky, depending on your contract and the data structure. Most alternatives offer migration support, but you’ll need to check field compatibility. With Devaims, your data is imported as part of the custom build, and you keep it forever.
When should I switch from CIMS (funeral) to an alternative?
If your annual spend is nearing the cost of a custom build, or you’re hitting data or contract limitations, it’s time to seriously consider switching. The longer you rent, the more you pay for software you’ll never own.
How do CIMS (funeral) alternatives handle integrations?
Most platforms offer limited integrations, locked behind higher tiers or add-ons. Devaims builds your integrations exactly as needed, no paywalls, just your workflow.
The bottom line
Most CIMS (funeral) alternatives just swap one subscription for another. If you want to stop paying rent on your own data and workflow, ownership is the smarter move.
Here’s the test: add up what these tools will cost you over the next five years. If the total would have built you something you own, you already have your answer. Ownership puts you in control, protects your data, and lets you grow without the meter running.
For more insights on owning your business software, visit the Devaims blog or see our latest alternatives posts: FrontRunner Professional alternatives, FDMS alternatives, FuneralTech alternatives.
