When you adopt software, you are handing a vendor your most important records. Most of the time that is fine. The problem comes if you ever want to leave and discover the data does not come with you, or comes out in a form you cannot use. A few direct questions up front prevent that, and the way a vendor answers tells you how they think about your relationship.
The questions to ask
- Do I own my data, in writing?
- Can I export all of it, including documents, on demand?
- What formats does the export use, and are they usable elsewhere?
- Is there a fee or delay to export?
- What happens to my data if I cancel?
- How long do you retain it after I leave, and can I get a final copy?
What good answers sound like
| Question | A good answer |
|---|---|
| Who owns the data? | You do, stated plainly and in the contract |
| Can I export it? | Yes, all of it, on demand |
| What format? | Open, usable formats plus original documents |
| If I leave? | You keep a final copy; here is how |
Why this protects you
Clear data ownership is what keeps a vendor honest over time. If you can always leave with everything, the vendor has to keep earning your business, and you are never trapped by the cost of switching. It is the single most important piece of leverage you have, so settle it before you sign.
How FuneralHQ handles this
Your data is yours in FuneralHQ. You can export all of it, including documents, at any time, with no fee to leave, and migration support is included when you arrive. We would rather keep your business by being good than by being hard to leave. See the security page.
Related resources
Read how to export funeral home data before switching and funeral home software red flags.