“Cadence gives me peace of mind that I’m going to get it done, and get it done right.” - Serese Selanders

In times of grief and loss, navigating the complex process of settling a loved one's estate can feel overwhelming. Cadence was developed with the grieving person at the core of its functionality, and there is nothing more validating than to hear that our mission of changing the way people grieve is being accomplished.

In August, we had the privilege of sitting down with Serese Selanders , CEO of Solusguard. Serese shared her personal experience and insights on how Cadence played an instrumental role in lifting the administrative burden of settling her father’s estate after his recent passing.

In this blog, we will highlight the most standout aspect of Serese’s experience with Cadence. If you are a funeral professional who is looking to provide your clients with an adjacent experience, you can book a free consultation with one of our Cadence representatives here .

Being an executor once, doesn’t make the second time any easier.

“Even with [the passing of] my dad, you would think: ‘Maybe it's going to be easier the second time around.’ But it wasn't easier, because I forgot about everything that I did before. I couldn't remember, it was a long time ago. Secondly, with the passing of the second spouse, it's a lot more complicated at this stage.”

Until you’re in the throes of estate settlement, it’s hard to see how difficult it truly is.

“Until you're in the middle of it, you don't really appreciate how difficult and challenging that it is. And so I was stressed out, completely worried and wondering what's going to fall through the cracks. What did I miss? What was I supposed to do? When you add on the emotional component of it and the pressure that I'm supposed to do this right for my family, it's a lot to take in.”

A personalized, clearly mapped out approach to estate settlement is instrumental to the grieving brain.

“The road map that was personalized, itt was step by step: These are the things that you need to do now, it needs to be taken care of immediately, then some of these things you don't have to think of. [Cadence] prioritized for me what to tackle and when to tackle each one of those items, so I didn't have to think about it. Not having to think of things is incredibly important during that period of time.”

As tasks are completed, it’s crucial to be able to keep track of progress and feel a sense of accomplishment.

“I'm also a list person and I love to be able to check things off on a list. Having the ability to say, ‘Okay, that's done, this is done,’ was fantastic because not only could I accomplish that task, but I could essentially set it behind me and move on to the next one and feel as though something was accomplished. At that stage, you never feel like anything is accomplished. Everything seems overwhelming and that you're not really getting anywhere. And so using the tool is kind of a pat on the back, if you will, that says ‘Yeah, you're doing the right thing.’”

“I wouldn’t even hesitate a moment to consider Cadence. Just do it.”

“It is going to save you so much time, so much anxiety, it's going to give you peace of mind. It's going to make your job, because it is a job unfortunately, so much easier. So do it, just do it. Because I've done this before, I have [used] other options. And so I can say with absolute certainty that there is no better option than this. This is what people should be using. This is unlike anything else that's out there and it's absolutely needed. ”

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Why Cadence Exists: A Founder’s Story

February 9, 2026

When my mom died, I left the funeral home with a checklist. It didn’t feel helpful. It felt crushing. I remember sitting at my kitchen table afterward, crying, staring at a list of things I was suddenly responsible for—forms to fill out, accounts to close, tasks to complete. I searched online for guidance, typed my mom’s date of death into one form after another, and felt the weight of it all pressing down at a moment when I was least able to cope. What struck me most wasn’t just the grief. It was the absence of a clear path forward. Instead of structure or support, I found broken, fragmented systems—and an overwhelming amount of responsibility placed on people in the rawest moments of their lives At the time, I assumed this was just my experience. Discovering a Shared Reality Over the years, that assumption proved wrong. Through volunteering in hospice, talking with families, and working alongside care providers, I began to hear the same story again and again. The confusion. The overwhelm. The feeling of being left alone to navigate a complicated web of tasks after loss. What I experienced wasn’t the exception. It was the norm And that realization stayed with me. A Better Way After Loss The period after a death is one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. Yet it’s also when we ask families to become administrators, coordinators, and decision-makers—often without guidance, clarity, or continuity of care. That didn’t feel right. Cadence exists because that time after loss deserves more structure, more clarity, and more care than it’s been given That belief is the foundation of everything we do. Built for Families, With Funeral Homes We built Cadence for families—but we work hand in hand with funeral homes. Why? Because funeral homes are often the last place families feel truly supported , and at the same time, the first place where responsibility begins Funeral professionals show up for families at an incredibly meaningful moment. Cadence is designed to extend that care beyond the service itself—helping families navigate what comes next with confidence instead of confusion. Doing This Together Cadence is not about replacing human connection. It’s about strengthening it. We’re here to do this work together—with funeral homes, care providers, and families—so no one feels abandoned once the ceremony ends. Supporting families long after the service isn’t an extra. It’s the work. And that’s why I built Cadence. About Rachel Drew, CEO & Founder of Cadence Rachel Drew is the Founder and CEO of Cadence. She founded the company after recognizing a critical gap in support for families following a death. With experience working alongside hospice providers, care teams, and funeral professionals, Rachel leads Cadence with a focus on extending care beyond the service and strengthening the role funeral homes play in supporting families long-term.

Identity Theft Awareness Week: Tips for Lowering the Hidden Risk After a Death

By Cydney Schwartz • January 27, 2026

When someone dies, their identity doesn’t automatically disappear. And for families, that reality can create risks they never expected to manage. In the weeks and months that follow a death, families are juggling grief, paperwork, and a long list of unfamiliar responsibilities. During this time, a person’s identity is often still active across financial institutions, government agencies, and digital platforms, quietly creating an overlooked window of vulnerability. This risk is commonly referred to as deceased identity theft or “ghosting.” While it’s rarely talked about, consumer protection agencies consistently warn that it’s a real and ongoing issue—one that can add unnecessary stress and financial harm to families already navigating loss. This Identity Theft Awareness Week we’re helping families understand the risks after a loss, and how to limit them.

The Cadence Experience with Serese Selanders