What To Do when a Funeral Home Doesn’t Have a Website
What To Do when a Funeral Home Doesn’t Have a Website
Ten years ago, no one would have found it odd for a funeral home not to have an online presence. Not only were we not quite so dependent on the Internet for information back then, but funeral homes were part of an older tradition in which community relationships were favored over new marketing concepts. If a funeral home did have a website, it was more informational than interactive, providing contact information and little more.
These days, many funeral homes have top notch websites. You can find everything from advance funeral information and funeral-director-run blogs to copies of the General Price List and other funeral planning tools. Some even have forums where you can ask questions. In short, innovations in funeral home websites mean that you can plan a funeral from start to finish without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.
When a Funeral Home Isn’t Online
Of course, while most funeral homes make themselves accessible online, smaller towns and communities may find that information is difficult to come by. Whether because the funeral home’s marketing budget does not allow for a web presence, or because they aren’t aware of the benefits of being online, they may be accessible only via phone or in person.
This can be an inconvenience for several reasons.
- A funeral home that isn’t online may not be attuned to other innovations like webcasting a funeral, online obituaries, photo collages and videos, or virtual sign-in books.
- No easily accessible information on pricing, services, and hours may require you to spend more time choosing the right funeral home.
- No information on the staff or the company mission/policies can be off-putting. Oftentimes, we want to get to know the funeral home’s values and beliefs before we make an appointment, and having that information online saves time.
- A lack of online presence could signal a less-than-reputable funeral home.
A lack of a website might also mean nothing more than you need to call for more information. If you ever have any questions about the viability of a funeral home, be sure and check with your county to make sure they have the appropriate licenses.
Planning Ahead
Because it can be frustrating and time-consuming to go online to search for a funeral home in your area only to come up empty, it’s a good idea to start looking now. Comparison shopping is easy and available at the touch of a button, and you can narrow down your list of choices without physically visiting each one.
A funeral home website does not have to be a make-or-break deal, but it often is. Start your search online and go from there to choose the right one.
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