BOOST YOUR VISABILITY...

The end of the school year means spring flings! A festive time for the school staff, students, and families to celebrate and come together as the year wraps up, and it's your turn to set aside the funeral side and embrace your community involvement.

Below are the steps to engage grandparents, parents, students, staff, and the education community during a spring fling. All designed to help you gauge your success in enhancing school spirit, excitement, and enthusiasm, while also boosting interest and attention for your funeral home or funeral industry profession.

1st:  Select your "Spring into Action" participation.
                                   Suggestions:
         Hole-in-One (golf club, ball, fake green with hole)
                                            or
            Cornhole (cornhole board, toss bags)

    (Keep it simple, all ages can play, and a no-fuss setup.)

2nd:  TODAY: Contact your local school's PTO or office, then ask:
 "I want to bring our 'Spring into Action' game to your spring fling. How do I sign up?"

3rd:   Promo Strategy:
Prior to the event, post on social media that your "Spring into Action" game is on the move and share details about where and when it will take place.

4th: Purchase a small banner or sign:
     Example: Jones Funeral Home presents "Spring into Action Hole-n-One"

5th: Basket of prizes: Keep it small so they can keep connecting with you as often as they wish, but don't make it about the prize.  Suggestion: Suckers for all who participate (grandparents like this, too!) and, from the dollar store, a basket (or treasure chest) of prizes for each winner to choose one prize from.

6th: Event Day:
Set up a small card table or other surface with your sign and the basket of prizes. Lay out your game. AND GET OUT THE CAMERA!!!!! Take photos of them playing your game and get permission to post their photo on your social media page (we just send them, their family, and friends to see their picture on your page... thus, they learn more about your involvement in the community).

7th: Engage!
On event day, wear logo polo shirts or your name tag on casual clothes. Connect and engage without selling.

8th: Inform:
After the event, announce on social media and issue a press release with photos and details, expressing your gratitude for the many joyful faces you encountered. Include photos.

You got this!
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Reminder: If you have any questions or need advice, simply email me at: Letstalk@kin-soul.com

COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY SERVICE

Once a month, host a “Widows Luncheon” at your location or a nearby restaurant. Offer this free lunch and social event to all widows in the community. Soon, you'll see these women look forward to gathering, and the lunch will grow as others join in. There is a shared bond—uplifting them through their struggles—and you will continue to demonstrate the compassion you hold for the community.
 
Tips:

• Collaborate! Keep costs low by partnering with a restaurant, a catering service, or another partner. This highlights their food in a meaningful, supportive way. Another option is partnering with a community organization or healthcare provider, both of which are always looking for greater support for families in the community, and you gain a supportive network. You could even reach out to local churches, your vendors, or other sponsors for a month, or host a brown bag lunch where you provide the beverages and dessert.

 

• Schedule this event consistently for the same day and time each month. I recommend choosing a day in the first week, like the first Thursday, which will align with any theme. Holding it at noon makes it simple to remember.  

 

• You may want to create a theme each month (this creates an uplifting feel):  

          Jan.: New Year Theme
          Feb: Valentine's Theme
          March: St. Patty’s Day Theme
          April: Spring Theme
          May: Mother's Day
         June: Beach Theme
        July: Tropical Theme
         August: Show-N-Tell Theme
         September: Floral Theme
        October: Fall Theme
         Nov.: Thanksgiving Theme
         Dec.: Christmas Theme

• Consider adding a guest each month or in certain months. I recommend mixing different types of guests, such as helpful experts and upbeat information. For example, you could include grief specialists, memory Garden specialists, a store's fashion show, an Easter bunny, a florist for floral arrangements, a crafter, lunch with police officers, a local author, one of your vendors, etc.

 
IMPORTANT: 
Post the luncheon's date, time, and title on your website and social media. Distribute a media press release about the event and send another one a week before each monthly gathering. Request RSVPs from attendees (call in rsvp). Take photos, lots of photos and post them that week on your social media, send to press or other. Families will soon value your support for their loved ones, including your willingness to help and your receptiveness to assistance when needed.

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Remember: If you have any questions about creating a tip, don't hesitate to reach out to me at
​letstalk@kin-soul.com — I believe in you and I'm here to help!

Funeral professionals emerge as "lifesavers" through support and compassion, guiding an individual with loss through life’s most challenging time.  It's time you never let them forget this! 

The word "LIFESAVER" is generally associated with safety, protection, assistance, and acts of kindness.  So, if a funeral home and staff are known for always providing "LIFESAVER" candy, this is the image you will project to your community and the families you serve. 
 
Begin by filling the candy dishes in the funeral home with individually wrapped, mint-flavored LIFESAVERS. Keep a supply of these individually wrapped variety flavored LIFESAVER candies in your pockets, purse, or vehicle, and encourage your staff to do the same. At any time and in any place, offer a LIFESAVER as a simple gesture of kindness to help spread goodwill and brighten someone’s day. Share them with your banker, drive-thru server, barista, cashier, during meetings, at church, or with friends and colleagues. Establish yourself as someone known for having a pocket full of LIFESAVERS. Your random acts of kindness will create a positive association with you, and without saying much, people will feel comfortable reaching out to you when they need assistance. You're silently conveying the message, "Allow us to be your Life Saver."

Reminder: When offering a LIFESAVER, always ask, "Would you like a LIFESAVER?" or say, "LIFESAVER?" This will help their brain associate the word "LIFESAVER" with you. Additionally, grab a couple of LIFESAVERS to offer; this allows them to choose their flavor and adds a bit of interaction with you.

FYI: Bulk individually wrapped Lifesavers can be purchased online from Oriental Trading, Candy Bulk, and Amazon, as well as in-store at Walgreens.

Keep being remarkable you, they need you!

Reminder: If you need additional suggestions or advice simple email at: letstalk@kin-soul.com

LET THEM PICTURE YOU IN A NEW LIGHT

​Today is the perfect day to see your community as the superheroes they truly are and to let the community know you as the trusted, warm-hearted people you are. Using visuals is a wonderful way to catch attention and make stories more memorable. Photos of community involvement can beautifully showcase the hearts and heroes behind your funeral home—like firefighters—and tell their inspiring stories. Sharing regular images, at least once a week, keeps everyone feeling connected and engaged. Before posting a photo, ask yourself: Do I want to see a firefighter carrying a burned body? My answer is no, then ensure the community members would be comfortable viewing the image you put out. Aim to share a community photo each week, accompanied by a sentence or two, including any visible business or individual names included and link to their pages when possible. This consistent sharing helps build a strong community presence and fosters meaningful connections. Consider spreading ongoing photos on social media, a dedicated "Community" page on your website, and through regular brief press releases. 

Begin by picking up your phone and heading outside with a staff member. Have them look up at the sky, point up, and take a photo. Share this moment on your funeral home's social media with a: "It's coming!" " Plant Parade is happening on February 28th... The parade features Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune (Google for details)." This little step is a wonderful way to begin to connect with your community! Plus, keep the momentum going by sending a message to the history teachers at the local schools, reminding them of the event on Feb. 28th. Are you excited for everyone to see your funeral home shining in the best light? I am excited for you!

Keep being picture perfect!

Reminder: If you need additional suggestions or advice, simple email me at: letstalk@kin-soul.com

​FUNERAL HOMES MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR IMPORTANCE!

Every February, consider sending a heartfelt handwritten Valentine card to the widows you've had the privilege to serve over the past year, including signatures from the staff. This simple but meaningful gesture gently communicates that they are truly appreciated, loved, and remembered. (Keep an eye out for discounted card packs throughout the year so you can stock up on these thoughtful cards!)

Reminder: If you need additional suggestions or advice, simply email me at: letstalk@kin-soul.com