Families prefer to celebrate the life of the beloved rather than mourning their loss. Marketing efforts get better results when focused on celebrating life vs. mourning. Celebrating a life make it easier to market your services, but it may also help families deal with the loss by giving them a more positive perspective on death.

Here are some marketing ideas for your consideration:

1. Provide a free family counselling session. Schedule a time with your families to allow them to share their story, their difficulties and pain.  You’re an expert.  If you find that a grief counselor might be beneficial, you can refer the family to one.  But most families will value the time with you to just to talk.
2. Video: Creating a 2 minute video telling your story can be very impactful. Tell your future families why you’ll take excellent care of them; why are you the home they will be most comfortable, etc.  Post this video on your website and YouTube.  No cost so there is only an upside.
3. Cover all the basics: music, readings, religious services, tributes, veteran services, casket in ground or mausoleum, printing, obituary, publications, insurance assignments, payment options, etc.
4. Payment options: make this easy. Obviously cash is best but not always.  Families spend 25-30% more when utilizing life insurance assignment proceeds.  If you’re not encouraging the use if insurance assignment, you are missing revenue and profit opportunities while adding positively to the families’ experience.  Learn more by visiting TFF123.com
5. Exclusive products: offer a “Taylor funeral home casket” or a “Jones funeral home urn. Perhaps offer an exclusive plate.
6. Personalize anything possible. Cards, booklets, obituaries, plates, photographs,
7. Use the same visuals in all of your advertising to build your brand image wherever you are marketing: church bulletins, local newspaper, sponsoring events at local 55+ communities.

Remember, decisions are not made rationally with long term concerns.  Investing in a proper and fitting memorial services is an emotional experience.  Capture you family’s emotions and deliver a heartfelt and persuasive testimony why you deserve their trust.  Then simply deliver, over deliver and you will surely prosper.

The author’s are founders of Trinity Funeral Funding, an insurance assignment funding company that provides same day verification and funding of life insurance assignment claims exclusively for funeral homes.  Trinity Funeral Funding is a family owned company located in New Jersey, 201-750-1117.  Cristina Terc has verified and processed thousands of insurance assignment claims for funeral homes and is an expert in resolving even the most complicated insurance claims including, group, federal, employee, union or individual policies.