We already know that a robust preneed program is a valuable part of any funeral business. Not only does it help ensure the long-term security of your firm, but it also provides a service that families really want and need.
But preneed can also have a valuable impact on your at-need business — beyond just growing market share. Below, we’ve included four ways your preneed program can help improve your funeral home's at-need services.
1. Preneed increases brand awareness in your community
Homesteaders’ policy owner research consistently shows that the vast majority of consumers do not shop around for funeral services. Our latest survey found that 74% of preneed policy owners considered only one funeral home when finalizing their arrangements. An active preneed program can help ensure your firm — not your competitor down the street — is the first and only choice families consider when making end-of-life plans.
That has ripple effects for your at-need business. Even when families choose not to prearrange, they are still likely to be familiar with your services if they’ve encountered messages about advance planning from you, your staff and others in the community. The more familiar they are with your business, the more likely you’ll be their first choice for funeral services.
2. Preneed fosters more educated consumers
A common concern among consumers and funeral professionals alike is the difficulty of making important decisions immediately following the loss of a loved one. When emotions run high, it can be challenging for funeral professionals to communicate the breadth of their services, and it can be difficult for consumers to understand what they want and need. Making funeral arrangements in advance, when the emotional burden is much lighter, allows time to educate families on all the options available to them and offers them space to make informed decisions without the stress of recent loss.
This can also help your at-need business. Consumers who have recently experienced a loss often share their experience with concerned friends and family members. If a consumer sees you as a trusted, knowledgeable advisor who helped them make educated decisions, they are more likely to pass that along to others who need your services. And, the more your adept your staff becomes at educating consumers in a preneed setting, the more comfortable they will be at doing so in an at-need arrangement conference.
3. Preneed increases word-of-mouth referrals
Homesteaders’ latest policy owner survey found that 53% of respondents first heard about preneed from someone they know who had already made advance funeral plans. That means that nearly half of the people who choose to prearrange hear about it from a friend, family member or trusted advisor who has personal experience with the process. Only 14% of respondents reported first hearing about prearranging from a funeral professional.
This makes sense when you look at the likelihood that someone who prearranges their funeral will recommend it to others. According to our latest survey, over half (63%) of policy owners have recommended prearranging to one or more people or plan to recommend it to someone they know.
This has implications for your at-need business as well. If consumers are satisfied with their experiences at your firm, they are more likely to recommend your services — in any situation — to their friends and family members. For funeral professionals, an active preneed program is an effective way to earn your client families’ referrals and grow your market share. Individuals who are interested in making funeral plans are likely to turn to trusted friends and family for information, and those who have prearranged with your firm are likely to recommend your services.
4. Preneed emphasizes creative memorialization
One of the best things a funeral professional can hear from a family after the conclusion of services is that they wouldn’t have done things any differently — that the service they planned to honor their loved one was a perfect tribute.
That’s a high bar for funeral professionals, especially in light of the increasing demand for creative, personal memorialization. As is the case with education, talking about creative memorial options is simpler in a preneed setting when there’s more time to consider and make plans. It’s also easier to make those decisions when the person you’re honoring is at the table to talk about how they want to be remembered. Families don’t have to do any guesswork in an at-need setting — they already know how their loved one wants to personalize their service because they planned it themselves in advance.
It’s also important to remember that end-of-life decisions tend to become ritualized among family members. Many of the decisions today’s consumers make about their own funerals are based on what they’ve seen modeled by others in their family. The more individuals you provide with creative, personalized services, the more likely others in their family will see the value in celebration and ceremony.
These are just some of the many benefits an active preneed program can have on your at-need business. Download our latest Preneed Motivators report to discover more solutions.
