Net Protections Partners with itowa to Enhance Funeral Industry's Digital Payments
In a significant move to advance the funeral industry's digital transformation, Net Protections, based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has announced a strategic partnership with itowa, a digital platform provider for funeral services located in Nagoya, Aichi. This collaboration aims to improve operational efficiency through the integration of Net Protections' after-payment service, ‘NP after-payment air’, into itowa’s online systems.
As part of this partnership, ‘NP after-payment air’ will be introduced to itowa's platform, facilitating a comprehensive digital payment solution for funeral businesses. The service aims to support online transactions related to funeral arrangements, such as flower offerings and memorial payments, by streamlining the invoicing and collection processes. Both companies are set to work collaboratively on market expansion to provide innovative solutions for funeral service providers.
The funeral industry has traditionally relied on manual processes and in-person interactions for transactions associated with offerings like flower arrangements, condolence messages, and monetary gifts. Many funeral service providers struggle with the administrative burden of collecting payments, issuing invoices, and managing receivables, particularly amid staffing shortages that make automation and labor reduction crucial. By linking itowa's online arrangements with Net Protections’ payment services, this partnership seeks to address these challenges and expedite digital progress within the sector.
1. Outsourcing Debt Recovery and Reducing Risks:
Net Protections will handle the essential functions of credit assessments, invoice issuance, payment collection, and overdue payment management, allowing funeral homes to offload these administrative tasks. This partnership guarantees 100% credit coverage, effectively removing the risk of non-collection for the funeral companies.
2. Streamlined Digital Transformation in Floral and Offering Services:
Integrating Net Protections' payment functionalities into itowa and the funeral providers' core systems will automate the entire process from ordering flowers and offerings to payments, report generation, and system updates. This transition will lead to a substantial increase in accounting efficiency, saving time and resources.
The launch of this service is scheduled for February 2026, during which itowa will start accepting applications from funeral homes interested in adopting the solution. Currently, three prominent firms have confirmed their participation:
‘NP after-payment air’ is a deferred payment solution applicable in service domains requiring on-site visits, including plumbing, house cleaning, and installation services. Consumers can pay for services after receiving them, removing the need for immediate cash on hand. This flexibility alleviates concerns over potential unexpected additional charges. Operators who implement NP after-payment air can outsource their entire billing process, including credit checks, invoice generation, and payment collection, thereby reducing administrative burden and risks associated with cash handling.
More information about this service is available at Net Protections’ website.
Launched in June 2023, itowa is a digital platform geared specifically towards funeral service providers, featuring web-based obituary distribution, digital record-keeping, and online orders for flowers and tribute messages. Additionally, it incorporates the AI tool, 'itowa Talk,' available 24/7 for customer service. This platform enables smart notifications through LINE and SMS, eliminating handwritten notifications, thus significantly improving efficiency.
With over 15,000 funerals facilitated, itowa services three major funeral companies, including publicly traded firms, totaling around 40 integrated funeral homes, processing about 2,000 funeral cases monthly.
Net Protections:
itowa:
As part of this partnership, ‘NP after-payment air’ will be introduced to itowa's platform, facilitating a comprehensive digital payment solution for funeral businesses. The service aims to support online transactions related to funeral arrangements, such as flower offerings and memorial payments, by streamlining the invoicing and collection processes. Both companies are set to work collaboratively on market expansion to provide innovative solutions for funeral service providers.
The Need for Digital Transformation
The funeral industry has traditionally relied on manual processes and in-person interactions for transactions associated with offerings like flower arrangements, condolence messages, and monetary gifts. Many funeral service providers struggle with the administrative burden of collecting payments, issuing invoices, and managing receivables, particularly amid staffing shortages that make automation and labor reduction crucial. By linking itowa's online arrangements with Net Protections’ payment services, this partnership seeks to address these challenges and expedite digital progress within the sector.
Enhanced Benefits for Funeral Operators
1. Outsourcing Debt Recovery and Reducing Risks:
Net Protections will handle the essential functions of credit assessments, invoice issuance, payment collection, and overdue payment management, allowing funeral homes to offload these administrative tasks. This partnership guarantees 100% credit coverage, effectively removing the risk of non-collection for the funeral companies.
2. Streamlined Digital Transformation in Floral and Offering Services:
Integrating Net Protections' payment functionalities into itowa and the funeral providers' core systems will automate the entire process from ordering flowers and offerings to payments, report generation, and system updates. This transition will lead to a substantial increase in accounting efficiency, saving time and resources.
Implementation Timeline and Current Adoption
The launch of this service is scheduled for February 2026, during which itowa will start accepting applications from funeral homes interested in adopting the solution. Currently, three prominent firms have confirmed their participation:
About ‘NP after-payment air’
‘NP after-payment air’ is a deferred payment solution applicable in service domains requiring on-site visits, including plumbing, house cleaning, and installation services. Consumers can pay for services after receiving them, removing the need for immediate cash on hand. This flexibility alleviates concerns over potential unexpected additional charges. Operators who implement NP after-payment air can outsource their entire billing process, including credit checks, invoice generation, and payment collection, thereby reducing administrative burden and risks associated with cash handling.
More information about this service is available at Net Protections’ website.
About itowa
Launched in June 2023, itowa is a digital platform geared specifically towards funeral service providers, featuring web-based obituary distribution, digital record-keeping, and online orders for flowers and tribute messages. Additionally, it incorporates the AI tool, 'itowa Talk,' available 24/7 for customer service. This platform enables smart notifications through LINE and SMS, eliminating handwritten notifications, thus significantly improving efficiency.
With over 15,000 funerals facilitated, itowa services three major funeral companies, including publicly traded firms, totaling around 40 integrated funeral homes, processing about 2,000 funeral cases monthly.
Company Profiles
Net Protections:
- - Established: January 2000
- - Location: 4-2-6 Kojimachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
- - Website: Net Protections
itowa:
- - Established: January 2020
- - Location: 1-2-32 Tsuruma, Showa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi
- - Website: itowa
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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