Here is a quick and timely “How To” on creating and promoting a statement about the Coronavirus and how it is affecting your firm.

Here are the bullet points presented in the video.

Compose Your Statement

• Conduct research and consult with staff
• State current operational status
• Provide directives from governing bodies
• Announce additional measures taken by firm
• Offer additional services
• Provide links to health resources

Amended Service Offerings

• Offer Live Stream or On Demand video of funeral service
• Offer to make arrangements online or over the phone
• Offer to Sign Forms online
• Offer to provide Digital Identification of deceased

Post Statement on Website

• Create a post on Website Blog
• Add a Banner or Call Out
• Add a Slider on Homepage
• Add excerpt to all Obits

Promote Statement on Social Media

• Create a Google My Business post
• Create a Facebook post
• Create a LinkedIn post
• Create a Twitter tweet with a link to the post

Review and Revise Statement

• Stay abreast on news about COVID-19
• Monitor Government and Health directives and recommendations
• Be aware of what other companies are doing in your area and in funeral service
• Revise your Statement accordingly

Resource Links

• NFDA: https://nfda.org/covid-19
• WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• US (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
• CDC (Funerals): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#funerals
• Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Example Links

• McCall Garden’s statement: https://www.mccallgardens.com/2020/03/12/mccall-gardens-coronavirus-covid-19-update
• Whitney Murphy’s Hugs From Home: https://www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com/hugs-from-home/
• The Chapel of Peace’s statement: https://www.thechapelofpeace.com/covid-19-statement/
• Egan Funeral Home’s statement: https://www.eganfuneralhome.com/covid-19-update/
• Cremation Care of Florida: https://www.cremationcarefl.com/coronavirus-covid-19-precautionary-measures/
• Connelly-McKinley’s statement: https://www.connelly-mckinley.com/corona-virus-protocol/

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Blair Nelsen of Nelsen Funeral Homes in Richmond & Williamsburg, Virginia and the Cremation Society of Virginia talks about Funeral Business Models and Online Marketing for Funeral Homes. Here’s what he said.

It’s not about capitalizing on a sensitive moment but rather offering support, guidance, and compassion when people need it the most. Let’s explore how funeral homes can navigate the online marketing landscape.

Craft a Compassionate Website: A funeral home’s website should be a source of solace. Create a website that’s not just a digital brochure but a place where visitors can find information, resources, and heartfelt messages. Include sections for pre-planning, grief support, and obituaries. Remember, a website is often the first point of contact during difficult times.

Engage on Social Media: Funeral homes can establish a comforting presence on social media platforms like Facebook. Share inspirational quotes, articles on coping with grief, or details about upcoming events. The goal is to connect with your community and offer emotional support.

Email Marketing: Sending out newsletters with valuable content can be a thoughtful way to engage with your audience. Share tips on pre-planning, stories of remembrance, or updates about community events. Use email to create a lasting connection with your clients.

Online Advertising: Use online advertising, especially during times when people might need your services more. Platforms like Google Ads can ensure your funeral home’s name is visible when someone is searching for local funeral services.

Search Engine Optimization: Optimize your website’s content for search engines. Use relevant keywords to help those in need find your services more easily. Your website should rank well in search engine results so it can be an available resource when people require your services.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising: Consider running PPC campaigns to target specific keywords related to your services. This ensures that you’re prominently displayed when people search for terms like “funeral home near me” or “memorial services.”

Community Involvement: Actively engage with your local community. Participate in or sponsor events that promote togetherness and remembrance. Sharing in your community’s values creates trust and lasting relationships.

Online Reviews: Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Positive reviews are incredibly powerful for establishing trust and credibility.

Transparency: Be transparent about your services and pricing on your website. People appreciate clarity during emotional times.

Remember, the aim of online marketing for funeral homes isn’t just to advertise services but to provide support and guidance in moments of vulnerability. By creating a compassionate digital presence, funeral homes can be a comforting presence for families in need.

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A Tag Team edition of Funeral Gurus with John McQueen of Anderson McQueen Funeral Homes in St. Petersburg, FL and Todd Van Beck of John A. Gupton College in Nashville, TN. John and Todd share their thoughts on the state of the Funeral Profession, challenges Funeral Homes may face for 2016 and share some strategies on how to make 2016 your best year yet.

McQueen, Van Beck and together with Robin Heppell will be hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, December 16, 2105 titled: 3 Easy-To-Implement Strategies For Your Funeral Home To Supercharge Your 2016. To register, go to: /free-webinar and complete the registration form.

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Lacy Robinson, CFSP, Director of Member Development at NFDA announces her upcoming webinar, “Beyond Price – Your Guide to Mastering Cremation Phone Inquiries” and shares a couple of tips that funeral directors can employ right away. Interview by fellow CFSP, Robin Heppell.

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Kyle Nikola of Families First Care in Savannah, Georgia shares his strategy about how his community events series has really catapulted his company into the community.

Check back soon for more interviews by Robin Heppell with forward thinking funeral professionals.

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Lacy Robinson, CFSP, Senior Professional Development Trainer at Aurora Casket Company shares her insights with cremation phone callers. She lets attendees know what they will learn and take away from her presentation, “Art of Cremation Phone Inquiries: 3 Steps to Better Client Decisions” at the 2013 NFDA Annual Convention. Interview by Robin Heppell, CFSP.

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Ken Varner of Cypress Lawn  Funeral Home & Cemetery in Colma, California shares his thoughts about how funeral homes and cemeteries can work together for memorial services. Ken’s experience is from their combination operation at Cypress Lawn but he explains how stand-alone funeral homes and cemeteries can work together to achieve the same result. He lets attendees know what they will take away from his presentation, “Funeral Home & Cemetery Synergy: Success Strategies for Combo Firms and Stand-alone Funeral Homes and Cemeteries” at the 2013 NFDA Annual Convention. Interview by Robin Heppell, CFSP.

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Jessica Koth,  Public Relations Manager of NFDA gives us her insights into this year’s Convention that is being held in Austin, Texas.  She shares her tips for first timers plus Jessica discusses some of the new activities and events that will be happening at the 2013 NFDA Annual Convention. Interview by Robin Heppell, CFSP.

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Coleen Ellis of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center in Greenwood, Indiana shares her insights into the incorporation of pet loss services into regular funeral home offerings. She also shares some tips of how you can test the waters with your community about pet loss this September and also lets attendees know what they will learn at her presentation, “Pet Loss Services and Your Funeral Home: Co-branding to Create Success” at the 2013 NFDA Annual Convention. Interview by Robin Heppell, CFSP.

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Robin Heppell interviews Steven Crawford of Directors’ Choice Funeral Home Answering Service talks about the considerations funeral homes have to make when entrusting your telephones to a call answering service. Steve also shares some technological advances and additional services that can further help your funeral home’s communication needs.

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Robin Heppell interviews Frank Clark of Google Trusted Photographers MD explains how Google Business Virtual Tours can give prospective client families an introduction to your facilities so they are more comfortable when they arrive. To receive a $100 discount off of your Google Virtual Tour, click here and complete the online form.

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Robin Heppell interviews Doug Gober of Live Oak Bank and lets you know how they can help funeral entrepreneurs expand their businesses.

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Robin Heppell, CFSP of FuneralFuturist.com provides a brief overview of the ICCFA Convention and shares what he will be covering at his presentation, “5 Ways to Win Online Price Shoppers” on Thursday, March 22 at 3:30 pm at the 2012 ICCFA Annual Convention. Attendees will receive a set of link building services worksheets and checklists so that they can implement these strategies as soon as possible on their return home after the convention. Also, attendees will receive a free copy of the audiobook of the marketing classic, Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins. Heppell has included his interpretation of how these principles apply to funeral service today. They also gave a list of companies that provide link building services that can help with each individual business.

Go here for more ICCFA 2012 Pre-Convention Interviews

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Libby Gill, author of You Unstuck: The New Rules of Risk-Taking in Work & Life shares her insights why and how companies and people get “stuck” and don’t keep up with the changing times and miss opportunities for innovation and growth, and she lets attendees know what they will learn at her presentation, “You (and Your Staff) Un-Stuck” at the 2012 ICCFA Annual Convention. Interview by Funeral Consultant, Robin Heppell.

Go here for more ICCFA 2012 Pre-Convention Interviews

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Matt Grieco of Grieco Family Funeral Homes of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware shares his thoughts on why funeral directors need to be more visible at funeral services and in the community and what attendees will learn at his presentation, “Funeral Directing: Stepping Out of the Shadows” at the 2012 ICCFA Annual Convention. Interview by Funeral Keynote & Workshop Speaker, Robin Heppell, CFSP.

Go here for more ICCFA 2012 Pre-Convention Interviews

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