Homesteaders Blog

Resources to Help Your Funeral Home Stay Ahead in 2024

Homesteaders’ 2023 annual report is now available, and we’re grateful to share what we accomplished during another outstanding year at Homesteaders. We have a lot to celebrate, including offering double-digit growth rate increases in the first quarter of 2023 and again in January of 2024. It’s just one example of how our solid financial position helps our customers get – and stay – ahead.

3 Ways Funeral Homes Can Support Bereaved Spouses

It goes without saying that the basis of a funeral professional’s job is organizing the necessary logistics of a funeral arrangement for families and individuals experiencing the recent loss of a loved one. But there are many ways to provide additional care and compassionate support that go beyond the rudimentary details of the service.

3 Unexpected Roles of a Funeral Director

Funeral directors’ jobs are sometimes characterized by their most visible role: ensuring funeral services run smoothly for families who have lost a loved one. But funeral professionals wear many hats as they help families through some of the most difficult times. We are going to unpack some of the unexpected roles that funeral professionals have, and why those traits are so important to their work.

What We’re Looking Forward to at 2024 Conventions

2024 convention season has arrived, and we are excited for what’s in store this year! From thoughts on why conventions are important to what we’re looking forward to and which conventions we will attend, some of Homesteaders’ senior account executives share their thoughts below.

Homesteaders Introduces Calling Hours, A New Podcast For Funeral Professionals

Funeral professionals have many responsibilities that demand a great deal of time. Combined with constantly evolving changes in the profession, it can be difficult to stay connected to the latest trends, technologies and practices happening within the industry. Podcasts are a useful way to hear the latest news and information in a convenient and accessible format. Although, there are millions of podcasts available to stream at your fingertips, so it can be difficult to sort through to find one focused on the funeral profession. That’s why Homesteaders is pleased to announce our new podcast, Calling Hours, which is solely dedicated to the deathcare industry and developed specifically for funeral professionals.

What We Appreciate About Funeral Professionals

In times of grief and loss, client families often find solace in the compassionate care provided by funeral professionals. These dedicated individuals play a crucial role in guiding families through the challenging process of saying goodbye to their loved ones. While their work is often behind the scenes, the impact they have on families is profound and invaluable.

The Funeral Rule is Facing Updates: Here's How Your Firm Can Prepare

For funeral professionals, it’s important to maintain professionalism and empathy throughout a client family’s experience with your business. Providing clear and itemized pricing information is also very important. Not only does this allow your families to make informed decisions without feeling added pressure during an already emotional time, but it also ensures that your funeral home is in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule.

Lessons on Grief from Cinema

The Oscars (Academy Awards) are swiftly approaching and, with other awards shows under our nation’s belt this year, we have movies on our minds! While we didn’t find notable depictions of grief in the 2023 nominations, we decided to reach back to a few of our favorite films that center around death and grieving.

Funeral Home Keepsake Options for Your Client Families

Personal keepsakes play a special role in providing comfort for families who have lost a loved one. A keepsake reminds people of the life and love they shared, representing their memories in the form of an item that is significant to them. Choosing a keepsake is a very personal decision for any family, so it is important for funeral professionals to not only provide keepsake options, but also to address them in a thoughtful way. We’ll share answers to questions that funeral professionals may have regarding personal keepsakes, and how to approach the topic with client families.

5 Grief Resources for Funeral Professionals

You have heard and said this phrase a thousand times: Everyone grieves differently. So, how do you provide support when every single grieving person has a different experience? We know you’re busy with the day-to-day operations, but we understand the value of staying connected to your client families.

Below we have highlighted a few resources (many which are free) that you can easily implement in your funeral home or supply to your client families.