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.

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!

​FUNERAL HOMES MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR IMPORTANCE!

​When was the last time someone stopped by your funeral home to invite you to participate in career day, or the Girl Scouts came by asking you to buy cookies? Chances are, it's been quite a while. Why? Because outside those doors, the community often sees the funeral industry as untouchable and a bit intimidating. Now, think about this: the fire department might have the same mysterious image you do now, but the public sees them as courageous superheroes—not just for their brave work, but also for how they reach out beyond their duties, engaging with schools, community events, saving cats in trees, visiting schools, and more. These acts of kindness and involvement build appreciation and create a strong bond with the community outside the firehall. 

I could go on, but I won’t. What I will say is this: if you start viewing your funeral home as a fire department does, and I help guide you toward that perspective, very soon, you'll notice a positive change. This shift can lead to more families reaching out to you and your staff feeling proud and heroic, just like the superheroes they truly are. 

This March, consider stopping by Senior Care Administrators in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living facilities, Senior Centers, and other Senior Facilities with a heartfelt, cheerful message: "The Seniors Are Lucky to Have You." Complement your message with a small individual gold bag of candy or a box of golden chocolate. Hershey offers a special gold candy box, and many other brands do as well. For individual bags, select Rolo candies (they are golden wrapped) with a friendly note attached.

Here's a helpful tip: Make your visit fun and relaxing—try wearing a cheerful shamrock hat from Dollar Tree to spread some joy. Keep a call sheet with the details of the people you visited, as we'll be following up with them in April (stay tuned) about a wonderful new way to connect with the families of those they serve. 

SEND OUT VALENTINES TO WIDOWS

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!)