May 2020

Page A19 MAY 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A CUSTOM LABELED BOTTLED WATER FOR FUNERAL HOMES 855-725-1119 • info @ aquabottling . com www . aquabottling . com Place your logo or any message and create a walking advertisement! Perfect for use during services or at the cemetery. B ottled in T exas . S hipping N ationwide . L ow M inimums . 10 oz or 16.9 oz size order today! call now! 888-458-6546 3121 Millers Lane • Louisville, KY 40216 Tel: 502-775-8303 • Fax: 502-772-0548 S A F E T Y A P P L I A N C E C O M P A N Y www.junkinsafety.com MC-100-A-HD New Heavy Duty Mortuary Cot Built of sturdy anodized aluminum tubing that will not oxidize and will keep looking like new for years. Features an outstanding load capacity of 900 pounds! Features • Legs lock automatically when unloading • One person can load and unload • Multiple level adjustment for bed to cot transfer • One locking swivel wheel • Comes with heat-sealed mattress and three restraint straps Specifications Dimensions 78" L x 21"W Minimum Height 10" Maximum Height 32½" Weight 73 lbs. Load Capacity 900 lbs. MC-100-A-HD PROUDLY MANUFACTURED IN THE USA 21958 JN MC-100-A HD_Mortuary Cot_10.25x8_BW.indd 1 10/31/16 2:03 PM Positioning Your Funeral or Cemetery Business in the Age of COVID-19 COVID-19 INDUSTRY RESPONSE By Dan Katz everyone is trying to navigate this crisis without precedent. At the same time, every critical challenge is also an oppor- tunity. An opportunity to show that you share your families’ concerns, that you’re responsive to their needs, that you’re part of their community. You’re in the business of being the anchor in a families’ stormy seas; this is the time to visibly step up to demonstrate your value without sounding mercenary. Here are some things that as a funeral home or cemetery you might say to your community during this pandemic and be a positive voice as people look for answers now and later. Your community will value this information. 1. Let people know that as an essential business resource during this time period, you’re still helping families and conducting your work pretty much like normal. Families are still counting on you to care for their loved one in your possession. 2. Let them know you’ve instituted a COVID-19 policy that is in place not just to comply with government or- ders, but to protect them. And be certain to continu- ally update protocols for the protection of those who will attend services. Post this on your website, include links to the protocols in your social media and send out press releases to all the local media channels. 3. Let families know you’re staying in contact with govern- ment agencies as well as industry associations so you can continue to provide the care and service that has always defined your mission regardless of the circumstances. 4. Do not be a silent voice right now. Make sure you con- tinue using social media and all other channels you’re typically on as an assurance to the public that you’re en- gaged with them and stepping up to deal with the crisis. 5. Make certain to call out the fact that you see this as your responsibility to the community to be a calm, reassuring voice of information and guidance. (If you have done so in past emergencies such as earth- quakes, tornados, or other such disasters, mention how you’ve stepped up in the past and are ready to do so now and in the future.) 6. Consider messaging channels and methods you’ve not used in the past. This is a great moment to grab your cellphone or digital camera and record a series of short video messages; production quality is not at issue, but your caring and words of calm are! Post these to your social media and in emails to your fam- ilies. Partner up with other community resources such as hospice, churches, social services, doctor of- fices and hospitals, even first responder agencies. Be a shared community voice. 7. Consider using a webinar service such as Zoom or GoToMeeting to offer “town hall” discussions about grief, funerals, your policies, family gatherings and any other relevant topic during this crisis, and invite other resources to join and participate. How you pose your public presence now can make a huge difference in the minds of local families needing to find comfort during this uncertain time. You’ll not only be of the greatest possible service, in keeping with your mission to serve with compassion, you’ll likely be alone at the top while your competitors maintain a relative si- lence. The residual impact after calm ultimately returns will reward you with new and stronger relationships within your community. You’re not being opportunistic. You’re being responsi- ble. You’re being who you intended to be when you first got into this profession. Stay well. Dan Katz is president, creative director of LA ads. To discuss your thoughts with Dan on this blog or any marketing matters, email dkatz@laadsmarketing.com, or visit www.LAadsMarket- ing.com. You can also connect with Dan on LinkedIn. Dan Katz As the coronavirus is grip- ping the country (and the world) medically, it’s also infecting the flow of busi- ness, including those who are engaged in serving fam- ilies at the time of loss. We’ve had to quickly make changes to our clients’ web- sites and digital media as www.nomi spubl icat ions .com