Good day everyone! I am in need of some ideas/thoughts concerning marketing ideas for a funeral home. The very nature of this industry demands a certain "decorum" in creating a campaign, and a sensitive approach is needed. There is already an exclusive feature in place, sponsored by another funeral home, that does the obits. I need something different, and unique.
Thoughts?
Think:
What do funeral homes want to sell? NOT funerals... but Funeral Planning. That is where the real bucks are. They have your money in advance and get to use it. Or, they are financing in advance and basically are building an annuity for their business whcih builds the value of their business when they want to sell it!
The angle... Do you want your kids to have to decide what to do with you when you drop dead? They'll probably spend too much out of some misplaced guilt or feeling of duty. No... you should be in control (responsible for etc) of how you make your fianl curtain call.
Best copy I have ever seen:
Imagine your daughter calls you up and says she is getting married... THIS Saturday and now you need to arrange for a church, minister, flowers, organist and invites. You wouldn't want her to do this to you... so don't do it to her.. pre plan at Rogers 24 Hour Drive up Mortuary.
John:
I got JUST WHAT YOU NEED! Be sure to email me for an mp3 of a great approach to a funeral home campaign.Never a charge.
production@schenold.com
Bill Schenold
With the funeral homes we have on air they take some vastly different approaches. One is very family oriented and all about the love of family and how the funeral home will treat you like family. The other likes to use a sense of humour and make light of what they do. their slogan is "we will be the last to let you down" I think that most of the time you need to play on the mood of the situation, but a little humour can go a long way and help you remember the company.
Not sure if this helped, but it's what we have.
As a suggestion they could sponsor the weather, our locals just pick up here and there events.
We've laid out a year's worth of events to get them to sign for a whole year, and we run the same ad - with maybe a tag.
Sample:
No two lives are exactly the same, and no two funeral services should be, either.
A funeral service that’s both significant and memorable should be as distinctive as the person being celebrated.
It should be a service and gathering reflecting the person’s wishes, honoring and highlighting your loved one’s life.
that is what all of picha funeral homes live by.
in hillsboro and elroy visit our website picha funeral homes dot com or by phone, Hillsboro call 489-2516 and Elroy call 462-8256.
PICHA FUNERAL HOMES SUPPORT OF THE ANNUAL HILLSBORO FIREMEN’S LABOR DAY FUNDRAISER CELEBRATION
Hi, I represent Tuesday Productions and we have done a lot of work with Funeral Homes in the past. We have a campaign called,
"You're Not Alone" which consists of a musical image, and other components. However, we found that doing a simple
musical image to surround their radio message works the best. I have samples of jingles we have done for the funeral industry if you would be interested in hearing them. email me at ann1706@tuesdayproductions.com. It's a tough industry to crack, but stick with it and it will happen. (Tuesday Productions is a San Diego based company, producting award winning jingles for over 44 years)
Hi John - Greetings from Victoria. About 10 years ago the NewCap sales crew in Edmonton introduced me to Park Memorial ("the chapel on the boulevard"). At the time, they bought one 60-second commercial per day in the CFCW mid-day ag report. They did NOT use the time to advertise funerals, pre-arrangement services or anything even remotely connected to their business. Instead they used the time to promote local non-profit organizations, volunteer opportunities, charities, etc. In short, they DONATED their airtime to others, in order to build a strong community image. We wrote a warm, sensitive piece of custom music which sings their name and slogan at the end. Everything else in the commercial is about 'community', not 'funerals'. I've enclosed two mp3's for you to check out. Even if your Westlock client can't afford their own custom music, you can still suggest this approach to them. Good luck - let me know if I can help.
Geoff Bate
Imagine Words & Music Inc.
John and Chris!
On Friday April 1st i was on my way to see a Hometown Buffet when I got a call that my brother was killed in Tijuana Mexico...I was devastated!!! In shock...As the older brother, I was in charge. It was difficult but I got pushed left and right and did not know where to start. I can tell you that I am an expert in the steps what not to do.
Is a sensitive business, but we can help families better cope when the situation arises. They can become a 52 Wk client, web tiles, traffic BB... it's like our King Stahlman Bail Bonds man here in San Diego "Its Better to know me and not need me...than Need Me and not Know Me"
By the way I need to go visit Community Mortuary in beuatiful Chula Vista, California it's been 6 months since i was there...I have a great first-hand testimonial story and a great "advertising" package on my printer!
Billy Meza
I am currently researching our community. The founders, the "firsts", leaders, etc. We are doing "who am I commercials".
where we say "who am I, list the things they did in their life, and their importance.. give a few seconds, and then say the name. This is getting people informed of the important people that have passed away in the community, and thinking about LIVES instead of DEATH. The funeral home I am working with is all about celebrating Life. The tag at the end talks about to celebrate the lives of your loved ones, call .....
Just an idea. Our client loved it. Its taking some time to research and write- but its working.
Thanks so much everyone, for your input. I am working on 4 other proposals right now, so apologize for not responding sooner! I have read every reply, and I am very encouraged by what I see. I have no doubt that I will land this contract, and begin a long-term relationship with this prospect! I have also learned that RSC is going to be an amazing resource, so stay tuned for further requests!
God bless you all.
John:
Are you in Canada -- or Bloomington, Illinois?
