| New Technologies are FORCING Most Professionals | | | | little easier. In fact, in a recent article by Fox News |
| to Change -- Funeral Directors are No Exception | | | | regarding their choices for the Top 8 Tech Trends of |
| The following is a true story; | | | | 2010, their #1 Tech Trend was; "You'll Attend a |
| "Not too long ago, a friend of mine approached me | | | | Funeral Online". |
| whose aunt had just recently passed away. He was | | | | I can also assure you that after recently experiencing |
| unable to travel to the funeral service due to a | | | | the personal loss of my mother in 2008, I firmly |
| serious prior work commitment, but was comforted | | | | believe there are also several other technologies that |
| to hear that the technology existed to broadcast the | | | | can significantly benefit most families. In fact, our |
| funeral service LIVE on the internet. At his request, | | | | surveys indicate that Funeral DVD Video Tributes and |
| we contacted the funeral home that was caring for | | | | a Memorial Websites are also among the most |
| his aunt and informed them of the family's desire to | | | | popular technology tools families are searching for |
| broadcast their memorial service LIVE on the | | | | today. Therefore, it only makes sense that these |
| Internet. Unfortunately, this particular Funeral Home | | | | should be viewed as standard services that today's |
| was not willing to expand their services for his | | | | Funeral Directors recommend and provide. |
| family's request and take advantage of today's new | | | | The reality is that these new technologies can also |
| technologies. I regret to say that my friend was | | | | help every Funeral Director in multiple ways, such as |
| unable to participate in his aunt's life celebration, and | | | | help strengthen their relationship their families and |
| his family was extremely upset when they heard | | | | communities, keep pace with the competition, |
| about the incident." Curtis Funk, President, | | | | increase website traffic, receive more family |
| If you really think about this story, not only can I can | | | | referrals, increase their credibility, and open up many |
| assure you that this person's family will be taking | | | | more opportunities for expansion and growth. |
| their future business elsewhere, but I can also assure | | | | My strong suggestion for every Funeral Director is, |
| you that there are many other people who will be | | | | rather than sitting around and waiting for the families |
| hearing about this story. | | | | to request these technologies before you begin |
| Now, maybe this story is an extremely uncommon | | | | offering them, consider being proactive and taking |
| situation, but what I believe is most important here is | | | | advantage of these new opportunities in the |
| the underlying message. Funeral Webcasting, despite | | | | marketplace today. By doing so, I am fully confident |
| all of the recent hype in the funeral industry, is by no | | | | that you will see immediate benefits for both your |
| means a new technology. In fact, over the last few | | | | families and business. It is also important to point out |
| years it has been quickly gaining traction to the point | | | | that if your competitors have not already done so, |
| where most family members are beginning to | | | | you can be sure they will be capitalizing on these |
| request it, or at the very least, expect this to be a | | | | new technology tools and integrating them as a |
| regular part of a Funeral Director's recommendations | | | | standard part of the services they suggest and |
| and services. So I cannot emphasize enough how | | | | provide. |
| important it that Funeral Directors embrace the many | | | | Our experience with both families and Funeral |
| new technologies that are being so widely embraced | | | | Directors is that regardless of the family's situation, |
| today. | | | | or the size of your city or town, families of all kinds |
| To further prove this point, in the March 2009 edition | | | | and sizes will warmly embrace and accept these |
| of the National Funeral Director's Association's | | | | types of services when they are correctly presented |
| Magazine, "Director", John D. Reed, NFDA's President, | | | | to them. |
| had the following to say; "There is no doubt that | | | | So in summary, here are some things we know for |
| with today's technology, even the smallest Funeral | | | | certain. First, given the advent of the Internet and |
| Homes can be more competitive and cost-effective | | | | the constant evolution of new and improved |
| and offer the families they serve a wider range of | | | | technology, we know for certain that one of the |
| products and services...imagine how much you could | | | | many keys to the future of the funeral industry is |
| increase your bottom line by taking a bold step and | | | | keeping pace with today's constantly changing |
| incorporating inexpensive technology into your | | | | environment. Second, we know for certain that |
| business operations." | | | | Funeral Directors will do what they have done for |
| The reality is Funeral Webcasting is just one of | | | | centuries, which is find new ways to adapt the these |
| today's many new and innovative technologies that | | | | changes. Our goal at FuneralResources is to help |
| are widely recognized in the funeral industry as | | | | facilitate this process sooner versus later. |
| common services that help make a difficult situation a | | | | |