Tell Your Funeral Home’s Story By Jack Helm, Skyways Media Whether your funeral home is a family operation passed down through the generations, or you are a new owner writing the first chapter of your own funeral home’s story, or something in between, there is a story behind every independent funeral home. Families who came through your doors aren’t just shopping for a product or service, they’re looking for someone who will understand and honor their loved one’s story. Incorporating a piece of your own story alongside the nitty gritty of estate settlement tips and floral arrangements is another way of demonstrating that you take their loved one’s final wishes as seriously as they do. All-in-One Resource Planning guides personalized to your funeral home are a great way to pull these pieces together all in one easy takeaway resource, whether you’re working with a pre-planning senior, at-need family or attendees at a public event, such as a senior fair or community lunch and learn. Just hand it to them as you wrap up your conversation and let them walk away with all the points you want them to remember as they make their decisions. 24 www.ogr.org | Spring 2021 You can even give copies to area businesses you have relationships with, for them to hand out to the customers they serve. If they’re in it, they are going to want to share it, and your message gets out to a wider audience than you could ever reach alone. Many OGR members have already taken advantage of this powerful marketing tool by having a planning guide created for their funeral home. Walk in their door and you will likely see a stack sitting on a table by the entrance or in the arrangement room. Too Important to Say ‘No’ If you don’t have a planning guide yet, what is your reason? • I don’t have the time to put one together. By working with a company that offers planning guides, such as OGR Endorsed Supplier Skyways Media, you have access to a templated guide that already contains all the essential articles. All you have to do is add in your funeral home’s personal details and they do the rest. • I don’t want some generic looking piece. A planning guide can be as customized as you want. Have
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