Effective communication is a skill that requires practice and persistence. It’s harder yet when you’re dealing with an emotionally charged event like planning a funeral or working with a family to arrange a fitting burial service. Let’s examine a few common topics that you probably experience on a regular basis

• Never allow a customer to feel that you are hurrying them. Ask, “are you feeling good about the arrangements we are making together”? “Do you have other questions or thoughts”? Provide your cell phone or business card and make sure they know your availability. Encourage them to reach out with any questions or concerns.
• Discuss payment options openly. As about life insurance proceeds and educate about insurance assignment funding options. Prepare for this topic with all arrangement conferences. Insurance assignments allow families to spend more without the burden of using their credit card, etc.
• Speak of your staff glowingly. You will be very comfortable with “Our staff” and their level of care and professionalism (make introductions if possible). Make sure every family knows they have made an excellent choice with your funeral home. Allow your families to understand things each step of the way. You’re so used to the schedule of events but for most families, this is a first time.
• Do not hesitate to reschedule a second face-to-face meeting if questions come up after your initial arrangement conference that rise to a serious level. Who knows, perhaps there is an opportunity to increase the services?
  

  Here are a few more simple tips:

  1. Repeat your key message 5 or 6 times.
  2. Balance the communication (make sure it is truly 2 ways)
  3. Be sure your staff is on board and trained on how to speak with your families
  4. Find ways to “connect: with your families. (send a card or call after each conference

• While communication ranges from good to bad, to ugly in every business, making yourself a better communicator will help your funeral home. Being better at communication will also impact all aspects of your life. Also remember that your families listen closely to your staff, so make sure they are carrying the right messages for your funeral home.
  Insurance Assignment Funding is a simple process where a 3rd party like Trinity Funeral Funding funds the cost of funeral services through an assignment of proceeds from an insurance policy. Here’s how it works. A one page insurance assignment is completed by the beneficiary and the Funeral Director, a claim form provided by either the insurance company or Trinity, and a death certificate are sent. There are times where a funeral bill is needed as well. Trinity Funeral Funding will let you know what is needed for each claim. Once these documents are completed the policy is verified (normally within a day or two), funds are wired to your funeral home. The payments from the insurance company are then sent to Trinity and any additional proceeds are sent directly to the beneficiary. For more information visit http://www.trinityfuneralfunding.com/ or call Scott at 201-750-1117.