As a busy funeral professional, you spend a lot of time focusing on all the different parts of your business.

From managing your budget to serving families in need, it can be easy to spend most of your days working in your funeral home instead of working on your funeral home.

However, now is the perfect time to start working on your business again.

To do that, you need to learn how to make your funeral home stand out, stay competitive, and be top of mind with families.

Here are 6 strategies that could help your funeral home find success in 2024!

1. Stay active online with Facebook

Many funeral families today want to learn about you online before visiting your funeral home. An active social media presence lets families see who you are, what your values are, and how you can help them.

No other social media platform connects funeral homes with families quite like Facebook does.

According to Statista, more than 243 million people use Facebook in the U.S. That number is expected to grow to nearly 255 million by 2027. Plus, many of Facebook’s users are 55 and older – meaning many may require at-need services for a loved one or want to learn about preplanning. Use Facebook to share helpful information and connect with them.

Click here to learn about 7 ideas your funeral home can try on Facebook in 2024!

2. Prioritize livestreaming for families and your business

Did you know that 42% of families feel comfortable attending a funeral online? Ten years ago, only 19% of families felt that way, according to our recent funeral consumer study.

That’s more than a 120% increase! And that trend will likely continue over the next few years.

Is your funeral home prepared?

Many families expect funeral homes to offer livestreaming services, and 2024 is a great time to explore a high-quality, reliable livestreaming option. You can increase funeral attendance, open another revenue-generating channel, set yourself apart in your community, and more to help your funeral home find success.

Learn how these 7 tips can set you up for livestreaming success in 2024!

3. Build your credibility with Google reviews

Like social media, many families will rely on Google reviews to learn about your funeral home. In fact, Review Trackers reported that about 64% of people research a business’s Google reviews before interacting with it.

That means you could be missing out on serving more than half of all families in your community just by not having reliable Google reviews!

Building up your positive Google reviews helps families feel more confident choosing you. Regardless of their needs, funeral consumers want to know they are making the right decision to turn to you for help.

Gaining consistent, positive Google reviews doesn’t have to be a challenge, either. Your funeral home already provides excellent care and service to families. So, make it easy for well-served families to be advocates for your funeral home.

In 2024, you can use a digital aftercare program that makes asking for Google reviews a priority. That way, you only have to focus on backing up those reviews with great service, which can lead to success for your funeral home.

Read 10 dos and don’ts of getting Google reviews for your funeral home.

4. Grow your preneed program online

Have you ever thought about how you can grow your funeral home’s revenue? There are viable options, like increasing your prices, but many funeral professionals don’t want to go down that road.

However, investing in the right preneed strategy is something to consider in 2024, especially if it helps you grow your program online.

Using social media, your website, and other tools can increase your preneed leads and sales!

With the right strategy, you can watch your preneed program soar in 2024.

Find out more about how to boost your preneed program here.

5. Better understand the families in your community

It’s no secret that funeral consumers are different today than they were 20 or 30 years ago – and keeping up with changing funeral preferences can be a challenge.

But knowing these preferences is important to avoid unintentional dissatisfaction with your service.

Stay updated on today’s funeral consumers and predict business trends by consuming reliable funeral-related content. Listen to podcasts, subscribe to newsletters, visit resourceful blogs, explore ideas with other funeral professionals, attend conventions, and more so you can continue to provide exceptional service in 2024.

Start with this all-you-need-to-know resource about today’s funeral consumers!

6. Avoid the “paradox of choice” with an eCommerce tool

You might think the more choices you have, the better. Psychologist Barry Schwartz conducted research that found the opposite is true. We value some options, but we become overwhelmed when we’re given too many options, which results in us never making a choice or picking the path of least resistance.

Your families can experience this “paradox of choice” if they have to make too many decisions and are presented with too many options when planning a funeral. An easy way to avoid the paradox of choice in person is by showing only a few merchandise items that would best suit the loved one instead of going through the entire catalog.

But what about families that want to start the preplanning process online?

An eCommerce or online planning and funding tool can help. With it, families can start the preplanning process, get a few merchandise recommendations, and pay for a plan online.

And if the tool integrates with your preneed strategy, even better!

Click here to read more about the “paradox of choice.”

Make 2024 your best year yet.

Serve families with great care and boost the success of your funeral home in 2024 by following these tips. Not sure where to start?

We can help.

At Funeral Directors Life, we aim to keep all parts of your funeral home successful. From preneed to aftercare and everything in between, we’ll take care of your business so you can take care of families.

No matter where you need help, we can partner with you to make 2024 another great year for your funeral home.

Fill out the form below to request a consultation.