Five trends in funeral service that have been successful in 2013.

No one likes to think about funerals and funeral services but the reality is that we are all going to need funeral services for ourselves and our loved ones eventually. Here are five trends that I have seen in 2013 that funeral homes are doing that will make this task a bit more pleasant.

Funeral Directors are no different than school teachers, policemen, social workers or nurses in that they have committed themselves to a life of service to others. They are well educated, caring men and women who help families at their darkest hour.

Here are five innovative trends that I have seen in 2013:

1. Reaching out to the community.

Funeral Directors have been making an effort to help families feel more comfortable in their funeral homes by arranging events that are not directly death related to gather the community together. Some have held prayer vigils for celebrities such as Whitney Houston and Nelson Mandela. Others are holding educational nights where families can ask questions ranging from “Is embalming necessary” to asking how to write obituaries and wills. Still others have held raffles at sporting events with the grand prize being a $10,000 funeral. All unite communities and jump start the conversation about death.

2. Creating a funeral home that is more of a “home” for grieving families.

In states where it is legal, funeral homes are offering amenities from Starbucks coffee kiosks to catered meals to a fully stocked bar. One funeral home offers all these services and more. You can expect to feel at home at Legacy, a funeral home in Edinburgh, Texas http://www.legacychapelsrgv.com These funeral homes are also offering childcare services, floral options, Wi-Fi and several even offer an actual bedroom as a visitation room so that children feel more comfortable saying goodbye to Grandma.

3. Offering Eco-friendly options

Recognizing that many people lead an eco-friendly “green” lifestyle, many funeral homes are now honoring that legacy by offering green burials, natural aka water based cremations and even urns that are designed to mingle with the cremains to grow a new form of life- an actual tree for the family as a permanent memorial of their loved one. http://www.myeternalfamilytree.com/ Most funeral homes offer biodegradable urns to scatter at sea, on land or in the air; all green friendly options.

4. Funeral homes offering more charitable options.

Many grieving families receive way too many flowers and flowers can be very expensive. Families are asking for options and in 2013, innovative funeral directors offered some great charitable options. 

In 2013, we saw a company enter the market that makes it easy for families to donate to the charity, school or non-profit of their choice in lieu of flowers. The company is called http://givalike.org and they provide a link on the funeral home obituary page that takes you directly to a site where you can make a small or large donation on behalf of the decedent. Now if your loved one requested donations to the charity of their choice, friends and family have an easy, convenient way to donate while signing the online guest book.

5. Funeral homes are offering services to help pay for funeral and burial expenses.

We also saw the launch of www.funeralfund.com Funeral homes can now help you pay for your funeral and burial services by setting up a donation page. That’s right. They will help you! Many people find themselves needing funds to pay for their loved ones’ funeral more than they need numerous flower baskets and sprays. It is a much needed service that is gaining in popularity. 

Many people find themselves uninsured or underinsured and have been utilizing this crowd-funding platform. It’s like passing the hat globally. $5 and $10 donations add up to thousands of dollars and contributors feel good about helping the families receive the funeral they desire without going into debt or forfeiting memorial choices.

A final note:

As we close the door on 2013, I’d like to honor some funeral directors, who asked me not to mention their names. There has been a surge in philanthropic efforts by funeral directors and funeral homes that has largely gone unnoticed. 

During Hurricane Sandy, the tragedy in Newtown, CT, the typhoon in the Philippines and many other disasters globally, caring funeral directors have assisted in offering their time, services and resources to help the grieving families and to bury the deceased. To these honorable men and women, I say "Thank You!"!

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2014!

Nancy Burban 2013

Funeral fund