 It's a wonderful moment to share your achievements! Start "Strutting"! That's right, you heard me!
Take a moment to highlight your progress, introduce yourself, and share where you're headed. Celebrate your team's hard work and your funeral business's journey. Present your successes proudly and connect with others in meaningful ways. Don't miss the chance to tell your story—your accomplishments, current status, and future goals. Remember, your positive presence now makes a difference, even if it's temporary later, and helps others see how exceptional you and your team are, which will build trust and support. Use platforms like: - Social media - Local newspaper ad - Radio ad - Your website SPREAD THE WORD! Share your journey, celebrate milestones, showcase your staff, and thank everyone who has supported you along the way. Now is the perfect time to broadcast your achievements and inspire the community around you! Show them the light now, so when the light in their life goes out, they know where to turn to.  As I mentioned earlier, "A single envelope has the potential to enhance the well-being of the families you support." That little envelope you hand to an immediate family member after they have struggled to make funeral arrangements can truly serve as the GPS they need to navigate beyond your funeral home or deathcare service, and assist with the storm of grief. This storm can pause their usual routine and leave them feeling overwhelmed and numb, but your small act of kindness can make a meaningful difference. A tiny yet mighty envelope is with them, inside and outside of your funeral services.
Concierge Envelope: FYI, this is part two of my previous post. Check out the earlier post, "Single Envelope," if you need a refresher. I referred to this tiny yet mighty addition to your funeral home as the "Concierge Envelope." However, since my first post, I've received numerous messages from funeral industry professionals, filled with creative names they will be calling their envelopes: The Jerde Funeral Home Support Envelope, Family Resource Envelope, Our Comfort Envelope, Helping Hands Packet, The Walden Funeral Home Circle of Support, and many more (sorry, I can't list them all; there are too many). Next Step: In my previous post, I provided suggestions on getting started. Now, let's expand this TINY YET MIGHTY envelope: 1. Often the immediate family will neglect or become overwhelmed with their own well-being during bereavement. Team up with a couple of restaurants, a pizza place, and a donut shop. Offer restaurant vouchers or curated restaurant lists that deliver directly to the family's home before or after the funeral. This underscores the importance of proper nutrition and helps prevent its neglect. It also provides comfort when a once quiet house is now filled with unexpected out-of-state family. Consider including a catering service for large meal orders to eliminate the need to search for one. I suggest speaking directly with the owner or manager to request a discount, a gift card, a voucher, or their thoughts on placement within your envelope. 2. During unexpected grief, they face numerous challenges, especially during the funeral service. Support them by providing locations where they can receive assistance with pet care, housekeeping, childcare, and senior care. This can be done by listing national caregiving support companies such as Care.com, Rover, Sitter City, and others. Or by listing a non-profit in your area that offers such services. 3. LESS is more! Don't make your envelope overwhelming. Focus on clarity by avoiding overwhelming choices and only providing essential assistance. WRAP IT UP! Place your "concierge services" in a bereavement card (pre-signed by staff), then place it in the "Concierge Envelope". It's a tiny yet mighty powerful gesture of support that costs nothing and leaves a lasting impression. You got this! Have questions or need more advice on this topic? I’m here to support you, free of charge! Send a message to [email protected] (response times may vary due to high message volumes).  Imagine stepping into the shoes of the immediate family you just served: their world halts amidst loss, revealing how deeply emotions shift. They seek your help with arrangements and return as everything is organized. But what about the moments in between? What if you could be with them even when you can't be physically present? You can! By creating an exclusive, personalized "Concierge Envelope"! This week, we'll design your unique "concierge envelope" to assist the families you serve, offering valuable support when you cannot be there in person. It requires only your time, but it helps establish a support network while serving your families. Over the next three weeks, we'll develop this together—it costs nothing but your time and provides ongoing support for your families.
Your Personalized Concierge Envelope: -Each envelope you distribute will be identical but exclusive and personalized for your funeral home and the families you serve. - Start with 50 envelopes as a suitable initial number. -They are handed out at the end of your planning meeting with the immediate family, giving one to each family. Once you’ve distributed 40 envelopes, check in with your network for feedback, then prepare more letters and fill an additional 50 envelopes. - Each "Concierge Envelope" includes: A letter and a list of 5 exclusive personal services to support the family in the following days. - Your objective: Provide a network of services that supports compassion, understanding, and assistance during their challenging time, while also easing their financial burden with discounted services available within their needed timeframe. - Aim to launch your concierge envelope program on July 4th, 2026. READY.... Caring for your families is deeply important and leaves a lasting impact. These days are overwhelming for many, who often neglect self-care during such times. Your first concierge service can gently prompt the family to think about what they’ll wear and have ready. This week, partner with a local dry cleaner or your preferred dry cleaner, asking them to join your Concierge program by offering an Exclusive VIP Dry Cleaning Service for your families who have recently lost a loved one. This service could include quick, compassionate, and helpful support at a special discounted rate, easing some of the financial burdens they face. Let the Dry Cleaner know their service will be featured in the concierge letter, or they can include their own promotional insert. Your Homework: SECURE THE DRY-CLEANING SERVICE THIS WEEK. I will have your second and third concierge services available next week. YOU GOT THIS! Feel free to contact me for any questions or additional direction you need on this: [email protected]  As a funeral home or industry professional, your goal is to encourage community engagement to ensure families choose you when they need you. I often mention that you are the unsung heroes, but the public rarely sees the true you behind your doors. Building trust and support first is essential so that the community can see your compassion and purpose. This requires time and dedication, not necessarily money.
Let’s light that spark: 1. Connect your funeral home or funeral industry business with these platforms: - Facebook and Instagram (additional platforms are up to you). 2. Starting TODAY and every Tuesday after, ask one of the following questions to encourage engagement: - Who is someone you still carry in your heart today? - What special song reminds you of someone special? - What is something our funeral home does well? - What piece of advice did a loved one give you that you carry with you? - Describe your day in one emoji. 3. For the next few weeks, add fuel to the flame by being the first to answer in the comments, and encourage others in your business or personal life to do the same. This will help get the conversation started. Suggestions: - Read the public's comments and reply compassionately or with an emoji. This shows that you are actively listening. - If posting once a week feels overwhelming, consider asking an employee to serve as your social media director. This will not only build trust but also provide them with a sense of purpose. (Even a spouse may want to help, fostering a connection to your business life). In my upcoming weekly tips, I'll share another simple, cost-free method to make your social media more engaging. Remember, for funeral home or industry professionals, your social media page is an ongoing "event" to connect with your community! Have a question, or need more advice on this top? Always free, message me at [email protected] (response times may fluctuate due to frequent high volumes of messages.)  A Father’s Day Remembrance Gathering can help your funeral home deepen its ties to the community by giving families a meaningful way to remember and honor their fathers.
Some planning tips:
Program Suggestion:
Follow the program by providing a refreshment table. Encourage attendees to bring photos of their fathers to share during the event. This will be a great opportunity for your guests to socialize, share photos, and chat with you.
In short, A Father’s Day Remembrance Gathering will allow your funeral home to showcase its commitment to compassionate care while offering families a heartfelt way to honor the fathers they miss. Have a question, or need advice? Always free, message me anytime at [email protected]  Sadly, death is an unavoidable part of life—an unwelcome yet essential event. For many families, it is their first encounter with the funeral industry, which they often view as "dark with a hidden side". Therefore, it is crucial to proactively improve your image beforehand, creating a strong first impression that will guide families to you when they need your service and support.
Think about this: today you bump into an old classmate, and they ask you, "What do you do for a living"? You say, "I'm a funeral director" or "I am in the funeral industry". NO....STOP IT! STOP pushing them away with your words, build trust, reliability, and retention so they will run to you when they need your service. Your first words are the foundation for a lasting impression that will guide families to you. The next time and every time someone asks you what you do for a living, or you share what you do for a living, think about your words. Instead, use this sentence to describe what you do: "I AM WITH YOUR LOVED ONES ON THEIR FINAL DAY ON EARTH TO ENSURE THEY ARE CARED FOR". 1. You began the sentence with a value. 2. You revealed your true personality (your heart) to them. 3. Your words were timeless and dependable, aligning well with your brand. 4. By making eye contact and expressing your pride in helping those in need, you provided trust. As I mentioned in previous tips, you must start creating a community image much like today's firefighters (firefighters were once seen as scary people who ran towards fire; today, they are seen as heroes, adored by kids and adults alike). By establishing a foundation, you become the unsung heroes YOU ARE, who step in when others least expect it, often unaware that they will need you that day. I, for one, think you're remarkable. Help me prove it to them! Have a question, or need advice? Always free. Message me anytime at: [email protected]  Now is an ideal opportunity to establish exclusive partnerships with your community’s Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, and Hospice organizations. Why collaborate with them? Based on my experience in these settings, I’ve observed that when no funeral home is listed in a resident’s paperwork, the night shift often calls a random funeral home for pickup, while the day shift contacts the family, who often also choose randomly. Most senior care facilities focus on providing care until the moment of passing, but their role generally ends there, leaving staff and families without guidance. It's not a matter of not caring; rather, they care for the living and rely on professionals to take over seamlessly at the moment of passing, ensuring continuous care for the family. That’s where you come in. By partnering your funeral home with these facilities, you are offering the facility a service they can add to their portfolio, and you can manage the transition after death with professionalism, respect, and promptness, becoming a trusted partner for the facility. This partnership eases stress for staff and families, making the process compassionate and efficient.
Your partnership can offer: - Immediate response times - Smooth transitions, including transport - Prompt support for grieving families and staff - A presentation annually during the facilities 'state-mandated staff in-service meetings, introducing your services and answering questions All facilities need this: Consider providing each facility (partner or not) with a small bulletin board featuring a quick checklist for deathcare: 1. Check paperwork for a funeral home to call. 2. If none is listed, call your funeral home. 3. Inform the family of the funeral home’s name, location, and contact details (include yours). ETC. Don’t delay—call now to arrange a quick 10-minute meeting with the facility’s administrator. Become the missing piece they need to complete their community presence.  SET THE TONE FOR THE REST OF THE FUNERAL HOME
When you open the doors of a nursing home, visitors immediately notice a distinct smell. This same smell can also be present when you arrive at a home with pets, or an older building, often called a 'wall hit' odor. Could this be happening at your funeral home? It's time to pause and evaluate your visitors' experience at your funeral home. Visitors should be greeted with a pleasant scent that complements the environment. For a funeral home, this aroma should help reduce tension, promote comfort, and create a calming atmosphere. Suggested funeral home scents include chamomile, jasmine, sweet marjoram, and lavender. Avoid common funeral floral scents, such as lilac. My personal favorite aroma for a funeral home is "Snuggle," once only a dryer sheet, now available as a plug-in aroma and other options. This scent is perfect for a funeral home (I am not affiliated). This plug-in emits a fresh, calming, and comforting aroma without a floral undertone. Equally important is maintaining your aroma tone, subtle throughout the funeral home. Remember, the aroma upon entering your funeral home creates the first impression; it sets the tone for the entire funeral home. Reminder: A funeral, celebration of life, or memorial is an event that marks the final chapter in a person's life and the last memory for family and friends. This responsibility is significant—there are no second chances. As a retired CSEP (Certified Special Event Professional), Certified Senior Care Activity Enrichment Specialist, Dementia Practitioner, and creator of the trending funeral product Kin-Soul™, I offer free advice and insights from my expertise to help you craft personalized farewells for each individual and tips on collaborating with the community you serve. I am familiar with the event industry, senior lifestyle, and the significance of compassionate care for mourners. You understand the intricacies of the funeral industry. Together, we can ensure those you serve receive the compassion they need. Follow me for additional tips. Have a question, or need advice? Message me anytime at: [email protected]  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 including adults, 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: Before 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! REPEAT EACH YEAR! Reminder: If you have any questions or need advice, simply email me at: [email protected]  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:
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
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. Remember: If you have any questions about creating a tip, don't hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] — I believe in you and I'm here to help! |
AuthorKimberly is a retired CSEP (certified event professional), Archives
June 2026
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