TGIF From TIFG!

5 days ago

3 min read

Thank goodness it’s Friday! The NFDA Convention and Halloween are both behind us, but (and I hate to be the bearer of bad news here) ... we have a few more holidays coming up before we can all rest up (as if that's a thing in your profession!). As we approach the season, The Group will keep you up-to-date on all the important things you need to know, and give you a few items to make your days just a little bit lighter.

Still looking to hear from funeral homes with veteran connections!

I’d like to share your story if …

… a veteran is part of your funeral home’s story. Perhaps a founder started his business after returning from a tour of duty in WWI, WWII, or another conflict?
… you honor your community’s veterans every November.

Email me at patricia@tifg.net, and we’ll set up a time to talk at your convenience! Or, if it’s easier, just click here to describe your story or programs in a short form.

Highlights and headlines

↪ CEMETERY TOURISM: National Geographic believes that “Your Next Trip Itinerary Should Include a Cemetery” — the latest installment in a growing and non-sponsored movement for cemeteries and burial grounds to open the gates for more than funeral attendees and mourning families. (Reading the full article requires an email address, but isn’t paywalled).

↪ CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: A Michigan woman used her eulogy at her grandfather’s live streamed funeral to call out several people she thinks wronged him, saying that a family member who stole his check and the hospital staff who checked him out too soon will be “going to hell on the fastest train.”

↪ LET’S MAKE A TOAST: Two publications last week reported on the “trend” of hosting funerals and memorials at nontraditional sites, particularly restaurants and bars. Although both of these referenced articles are paywalled, both The New York Times and Crain’s Chicago Business covered the topic, with NYT even calling out a company that can help families locate a nontraditional location on short notice (which is something funeral homes could also do).

↪ OUTLAWS & ROBOTS: A Texas city cemetery asked locals to suggest and vote on names for two new “robot” lawnmowers used to maintain the grounds. The winning pair of names was derived from a classic 1983 song by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard about two friends who took different paths in life. Any guesses?

Practitioner spotlight

Our friends at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Funeral Home in Zionsville, Indiana were recently featured in the news for their unique and quite meaningful partnership with the inmates of a women’s prison to provide families of babies who are cremated with a touching keepsake.

Upcoming events and observations

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: These upcoming holidays and observances are great opportunities for your funeral home or cemetery to reach out to your communities with anything from a few social media posts to a hosted event:

November — National Hospice and Palliative Care Month — A natural touchpoint for funeral homes to thank and collaborate with these providers.
November 11 — Veterans’ Day — Thank and honor all veterans, living or deceased, who have served honorably.
November 19 — National Children’s Grief Awareness Day — Highlight the need for specialized youth grief support before the holiday season, and maybe promote your own grief services or aftercare programs.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: Register now for Funding Prearranged Funerals, presented by Brianne Niedermyer of Homesteaders Life Company on Wednesday, November 11, followed by Without a Witness, Everything Just Disappears: The Importance of Family Cremation Witnessing, presented by TIFG and East Tennessee Cremation Company’s Christi Moon Robbins on December 9.

In Case You Missed It

Here’s what The Group has published recently in The Practitioners’ Post:

FUNERAL