Thank You Funeral Director’s Post Funeral Report

Video How Create & Announce Your Coronavisus Status

Here is a quick and timely “How To” on creating and promoting a statement about the Coronavirus and how it is affecting your firm.

Here are the bullet points presented in the video.

Compose Your Statement

Conduct research and consult with staff
State current operational status
Provide directives from governing bodies
Announce additional measures taken by firm
Offer additional services
Provide links to health resources

Amended Service Offerings

Offer Live Stream or On Demand video of funeral service
Offer to make arrangements online or over the phone
Offer to Sign Forms online
Offer to provide Digital Identification of deceased

Post Statement on Website

Create a post on Website Blog
Add a Banner or Call Out
Add a Slider on Homepage
Add excerpt to all Obits

Promote Statement on Social Media

Create a Google My Business post
Create a Facebook post
Create a LinkedIn post
Create a Twitter tweet with a link to the post

Review and Revise Statement

Stay abreast on news about COVID-19
Monitor Government and Health directives and recommendations
Be aware of what other companies are doing in your area and in funeral service
Revise your Statement accordingly

Resource Links

NFDA: https://nfda.org/covid-19
WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
US (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
CDC (Funerals): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#funerals
Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Example Links

McCall Garden’s statement: https://www.mccallgardens.com/2020/03/12/mccall-gardens-coronavirus-covid-19-update
Whitney Murphy’s Hugs From Home: https://www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com/hugs-from-home/
The Chapel of Peace’s statement: https://www.thechapelofpeace.com/covid-19-statement/
Egan Funeral Home’s statement: https://www.eganfuneralhome.com/covid-19-update/
Cremation Care of Florida: https://www.cremationcarefl.com/coronavirus-covid-19-precautionary-measures/
Connelly-McKinley’s statement: https://www.connelly-mckinley.com/corona-virus-protocol/

Blair Nelsen talks about Funeral Business Models and Online Marketing for Funeral Homes

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Blair Nelsen of Nelsen Funeral Homes in Richmond & Williamsburg, Virginia and the Cremation Society of Virginia talks about Funeral Business Models and Online Marketing for Funeral Homes. Here’s what he said.

It’s not about capitalizing on a sensitive moment but rather offering support, guidance, and compassion when people need it the most. Let’s explore how funeral homes can navigate the online marketing landscape.

Craft a Compassionate Website: A funeral home’s website should be a source of solace. Create a website that’s not just a digital brochure but a place where visitors can find information, resources, and heartfelt messages. Include sections for pre-planning, grief support, and obituaries. Remember, a website is often the first point of contact during difficult times.

Engage on Social Media: Funeral homes can establish a comforting presence on social media platforms like Facebook. Share inspirational quotes, articles on coping with grief, or details about upcoming events. The goal is to connect with your community and offer emotional support.

Email Marketing: Sending out newsletters with valuable content can be a thoughtful way to engage with your audience. Share tips on pre-planning, stories of remembrance, or updates about community events. Use email to create a lasting connection with your clients.

Online Advertising: Use online advertising, especially during times when people might need your services more. Platforms like Google Ads can ensure your funeral home’s name is visible when someone is searching for local funeral services.

Search Engine Optimization: Optimize your website’s content for search engines. Use relevant keywords to help those in need find your services more easily. Your website should rank well in search engine results so it can be an available resource when people require your services.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising: Consider running PPC campaigns to target specific keywords related to your services. This ensures that you’re prominently displayed when people search for terms like “funeral home near me” or “memorial services.”

Community Involvement: Actively engage with your local community. Participate in or sponsor events that promote togetherness and remembrance. Sharing in your community’s values creates trust and lasting relationships.

Online Reviews: Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Positive reviews are incredibly powerful for establishing trust and credibility.

Transparency: Be transparent about your services and pricing on your website. People appreciate clarity during emotional times.

Remember, the aim of online marketing for funeral homes isn’t just to advertise services but to provide support and guidance in moments of vulnerability. By creating a compassionate digital presence, funeral homes can be a comforting presence for families in need.

John McQueen & Todd Van Beck: Funeral Directors are the Magic Bullet

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

A Tag Team edition of Funeral Gurus with John McQueen of Anderson McQueen Funeral Homes in St. Petersburg, FL and Todd Van Beck of John A. Gupton College in Nashville, TN. John and Todd share their thoughts on the state of the Funeral Profession, challenges Funeral Homes may face for 2016 and share some strategies on how to make 2016 your best year yet.

McQueen, Van Beck and together with Robin Heppell will be hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, December 16, 2105 titled: 3 Easy-To-Implement Strategies For Your Funeral Home To Supercharge Your 2016. To register, go to: /free-webinar and complete the registration form.

Lacy Robinson: Cremation Phone Shoppers

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Lacy Robinson, CFSP, Director of Member Development at NFDA announces her upcoming webinar, “Beyond Price – Your Guide to Mastering Cremation Phone Inquiries” and shares a couple of tips that funeral directors can employ right away. Interview by fellow CFSP, Robin Heppell.

Kyle Nikola: Creating an Event Series to Promote Your Funeral Home

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Kyle Nikola of Families First Care in Savannah, Georgia shares his strategy about how his community events series has really catapulted his company into the community.

Check back soon for more interviews by Robin Heppell with forward thinking funeral professionals.

Lacy Robinson: Art of Cremation Phone Inquiries

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Lacy Robinson, CFSP, Senior Professional Development Trainer at Aurora Casket Company shares her insights with cremation phone callers. She lets attendees know what they will learn and take away from her presentation, “Art of Cremation Phone Inquiries: 3 Steps to Better Client Decisions” at the 2013 NFDA Annual Convention. Interview by Robin Heppell, CFSP.

Ken Varner: Funeral Home & Cemetery Synergy

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Ken Varner of Cypress LawnÂ Â Funeral Home & Cemetery in Colma, California shares his thoughts about how funeral homes and cemeteries can work together for memorial services. Ken’s experience is from their combination operation at Cypress Lawn but he explains how stand-alone funeral homes and cemeteries can work together to achieve the same result. He lets attendees know what they will take away from his presentation,Â “Funeral Home & Cemetery Synergy: Success Strategies for Combo Firms and Stand-alone Funeral Homes and Cemeteries”Â at the 2013 NFDA Annual Convention. Interview byÂ Robin Heppell,Â CFSP.

Coleen Ellis: Pet Loss Services and Your Funeral Home: Co-branding to Create Success

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Coleen Ellis of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center in Greenwood, IndianaÂ shares her insights into the incorporation of pet loss services into regular funeral home offerings. She also shares some tips of how you can test the waters with your community about pet loss this September and also lets attendees know what they will learn at her presentation,Â “Pet Loss Services and Your Funeral Home: Co-branding to Create Success”Â at the 2013 NFDA Annual Convention. Interview byÂ Robin Heppell,Â CFSP.

Access more interviews here...