Newsletter - February 2008
February 4, 2008
Welcome to the Future of Funeral Service Newsletter!
Welcome to the inaugural Newsletter from Heppell Funeral Solutions. You will find some of my thoughts on current topics as well as inform you on some of the newest developments in the funeral industry and technologies that are applicable to funeral service. I would ask you to please provide me with some feedback and suggestions for future issues. If you have received this email directly, thank you for subscribing to the newsletter! If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, please register here so that you don’t miss another issue. Thank you for your time and your service to the funeral profession!
Featured Article: Buying Limos and Hearses on eBay
Is it time to replace that 80’s Funeral Coach that would give a Hummer a run for its money in a game of chicken? I have been asked by a lot of funeral directors how does eBay work and can you really buy vehicles online? …Read more >>
Ask the Futurist: What does Hep do?
This is a question that is posed to me often - and not only by funeral directors and cemeterians, but even by friends and family. My poor parents - they get the same question but they can’t really give a definitive answer.Read more >>
Hep’s ‘Net Picks: Compete Internally & Never Worry about your Competition
Selling Power Daily Report: I watch most of these video interviews and I find that about half of them could be applied to aspects of funeral service - particularly online promotion, human resources, and preneed sales. Read more >>
Do You Agree with Hep? Online Price Lists: Yes or No
Do you have your funeral home’s or cemetery’s complete price list online?Take the survey and then find out my thoughts are about online price lists as well as some suggestions.
Read more >>
Future Sneak Peak: Are Your Computers More Grief than Help?
At least twice a month I get approached by suppliers or outsiders who are thinking of bringing a new product to market. This section will be used to vet some of these new offerings. Your input is valuable and will be rewarded for participating. Read more >>
Funeral Futurist Radio: The Boomer Death Boom with BT Hathaway
On this show, Funeral Director BT Hathaway of Hathaway Funeral Homes of New England discusses his recent article in the American Funeral Director magazine. Hathaway takes a fresh look at the impending “Death Boom” and you may be surprised at his findings…Read more >>
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Buying Limos and Hearses on eBay
January 8, 2008
Is it time to replace that 80’s Funeral Coach that would give a Hummer a run for its money in a game of chicken? I have been asked by a lot of funeral directors how does eBay work and can you really buy vehicles online?
Well, this process is not for everyone and I would suggest that you first check to see what your current dealer has to offer. I would also recommend that you check to see what is online.
As always “Buyer Beware” so you will need to do a little homework such as check the Seller’s Rating and look into a Vehicle History Report.
At eBay Motors, the have a “How to Buy a Vehicle” section that you should go through or perform a search on Google - “How to Buy a Vehicle on eBay” and you will find many articles and case studies.
Here is a sample of some limousines for sale on eBay Click the ad above to see the current listings. |
There are also funeral coaches available on eBay Click the ad above to see the current listings. |
Let me know when New Cars
are for sale!
go back to the Funeral Futurist Newsletter >>>
Are Your Computers More Grief than Help?
January 8, 2008
At least twice a month I get approached by suppliers or outsiders who are thinking of bringing a new product to market. This section will be used to vet some of these new offerings. Your input is valuable and will be rewarded for participating. I have told these suppliers that they have to offer at least a 10% discount to anyone who participates if the offering comes to fruition. This surveying will come in a number of different formats from video commercials to online surveys. This issues question is about computer tech support.
Is your printer printing envelopes properly? Is your scanner “sick” the day you need to scan 50 photo? Or do you have time to do your crossword puzzle while software programs load? Sometimes we rely on technology to do things but when they are not working properly, we just wait or create a work-around since we are not techies. When you do decide to get your computers fixed, how much are you spending - please complete the survey below:
Approximately, how much do you spend on technical support for your computers per month, per computer?
- $20 / month / computer
- $40 / month / computer
- $60 / month / computer
- $80 / month / computer
- $100 / month / computer
go back to the Funeral Futurist Newsletter >>>
The Boomer Death Boom with BT Hathaway
January 8, 2008
On this show, Funeral Director BT Hathaway of Hathaway Funeral Homes of New England discusses his recent article in the American Funeral Director magazine. BT shares his analysis on population and demographic boom that the funeral industry has been anticipating for years. Click the Play button at the left of the silver bar > Read more
Compete Internally & Never Worry about your Competition
January 8, 2008
Selling Power Daily Report: I watch most of these video interviews and I find that about half of them could be applied to aspects of funeral service - particularly online promotion, human resources, and preneed sales. But my highlight video is one on Competition with Alan Cervasio, VP Sales Marriott Vacation Club International.
go back to the Funeral Futurist Newsletter >>>
What does Hep do?
January 8, 2008
This is a question that is posed to me often - and not only by funeral directors and cemeterians, but even by friends and family. My poor parents - they get the same question but they can’t really give a definitive answer.
I believe the answer is simple, I am a consultant that helps funeral homes and cemeteries in the areas of applying proactive & competitive strategies and using funeral-related technologies. This may still sound vague, so to help clarify this it may be better to pose the question, “How can Hep help?”
If you are concerned with price shoppers, discount providers, rising cremation and low funeral averages - I can help! I have practical experience in a highly competitive, high cremation (now 90%) memorial society infested stricken market that is coupled with my formal business education in entrepreneurial management. With this background, I can help you avoid some of the pitfalls as consumers in your community change become less traditional and become more competitive and more profitable.
For those of you who want advice on how to achieve a greater Internet presence or to get more out of your website but are unsure whose best interests your web developer has in mind - I can help! I can provide you with an unbiased analysis and strategy to take your online presence to the next level. This expertise comes from 10 years of initially developing and latterly strategically planning many funeral home and cemetery websites plus continually monitoring statistics and implementing the latest “new media” strategies such as Blogs, Podcasts, and You Tube. All with the ultimate goal of having the greatest web presence and highest search rankings in your market as well as harnessing the greatest supply of preneed leads of the future.
“I hear your name in many different circles; you must do more than consulting.” I also see myself as an educator - I guess I get that from my dad, Tom, a retired elementary school teacher and still- practicing educator of life. Through my FuneralFuturist.com website and my FromtheHep.com blog, I try to pass on information to funeral professionals in one way or another to assist them in providing the most meaningful services possible. Realizing that I don’t have all of the information, I created TheFuneralGurus.com website. This is a site where Funeral Directors can offer their insight to their peers as well as to the public. For the longest time we as funeral professionals, have allowed outsiders to tell our story. Now it is time that we publish the authorized edition of Funeral Service in the 21st century because we wrote it!
My other teaching efforts come in the form of public speaking engagements and instructing licensure students. This allows me to stay connected with others in funeral service, from varying stages in their careers and from all areas of North America. In these educational settings, it is my hope that my message is the mirror of my deep-rooted belief in the funeral service soul. In return, I receive insights that I may never have thought of or had experienced. These insights allow me to continue to be a student of funeral service.
“What is your relationship with McCall Bros. Funeral Homes in Victoria, BC?” Officially, I have been contracted to be their “Director of Marketing and Public Relations.” Unofficially, it is my University of Funeral Service where I have been enrolled for over 20 years and still with no completion date in place. “Dean” David A. McCall has been very patient with his radical pupil, putting up with challenging questions and crazy ideas. I am grateful to Dave for the slack leash and for providing an establishment to still practice my chosen profession. My current role at McCall’s allows me to be available for other consulting assignments throughout North America.
I hope this explanation of my passion for, commitment to, and legacy in funeral service provides you with the answer of “What does Hep do?” My wish is that you ask the question, “How can Hep help me?” and I will guarantee that together we can take your funeral home to the next level. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story and thank you for your passion for funeral service. I look forward to seeing you in our travels or through the Internet! Serve well!
Sincerely, Hep!
PS: Please feel free to forward this on to anyone who has wondered what I do and how I can help.
PPS: Also, please give me suggestions on what future tutorials you would like to see or issues that you would like to address.
go back to the Funeral Futurist Newsletter >>>
Online Price Lists: Yes or No
January 5, 2008
Do you have your funeral home’s or cemetery’s complete price list online?
Take the survey and then find out my thoughts are about online price lists as well as some suggestions.
