Most people think preplanning is a good idea. However, few families actually begin the preplanning process.

This gap doesn’t exist because families are unwilling.

It exists because families don’t know where to go or who to turn to for preplanning education and support.

Tyler Anderson, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Precoa, recently shared his thoughts regarding the evolution of preneed on our podcast.

“When asked, more than 70% of individuals in America said that preplanning is a good idea,” Tyler said. “But less than 25% of those same individuals actually said they planned to do it. That shows us that the average consumer just doesn't know what role the funeral home plays in providing that information. And so they don't really know where to go.”

To bridge the gap between families' beliefs and actions, your preneed program should focus on reaching families interested in preplanning and educating them on all their options. That way, you’ll show families that your funeral home is a reliable, supportive resource for preplanning.

Keep reading to find out 3 ways your preneed program can help you educate and connect with families.

Educate families before a loss occurs

Planning a funeral while dealing with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming.

So many decisions need to be made, from service options to ceremony details and more. And when families have to plan a funeral and manage their grief, they don’t always make the best decisions.

Tyler explains it in this way, "In the midst of grief, logic and reason don’t always apply."

As a result, families experiencing loss may not be focused on understanding the value of ceremony, ritual, and gathering.

But what if your families truly understood the value of a funeral before they experienced a loss?

One of the most effective ways to educate families before a loss occurs is through your preneed program. Because when families truly understand the significance of ceremony, ritual, and gathering in advance, they are better equipped to make decisions and feel less burdened when the time comes.

Plus, if you have educational conversations with families before a loss occurs, they may already have a plan in place. And when families preplan, they can spend less time planning a meaningful funeral and more time celebrating the life of their loved one.

Show families that preplanning doesn't always mean prefunding

Many families believe that to preplan a funeral, they have to prefund a funeral. And this misconception can deter them from making prearrangements.

That’s why it's so important for families to understand that they can plan ahead of time without having to pay ahead of time. And your preneed program can help you share this knowledge with the families in your community!

Let families know that paying for the funeral can happen after their plans have been recorded. And that, ultimately, the most important thing is for them to make their wishes known.

The opportunity to talk to a family and dispel any misunderstandings they have about preplanning is one of the biggest benefits of an educational preneed program.

Because when families understand they can both plan and pay at their convenience, they are more likely to plan ahead.

Highlight the real value of preplanning

Preplanning is a great way for someone to have the funeral they want.

But what about those who don’t care what kind of funeral they have? How do you convince them to plan ahead?

You remind them that their funeral won’t really be for them. It’ll be for their loved ones who are still here.

As Tyler explains, “We used to say benefit in putting your prearrangement together is that you get to plan the funeral you want. But today’s consumer hears that and they kind of shrug and say, ‘I'm not going to be there.’”

Many funeral consumers want to ease the burden on their loved ones rather than focusing on their own preferences.

“If I ask my dad what he wants, he’ll say 'Don’t make a fuss.' But if I ask him what my sister and I will need, his answer is very different,” Tyler said.

So, by educating families on the real value of preplanning, you can provide them with the opportunity to put an intentional plan in place that gives them peace of mind and ensures their families have support when the time comes.

Bridge the gap between belief and action

Most families agree that preplanning is important, but few know where to begin.

By using your preneed program as an educational tool, you can bridge that gap.

Because when you help families understand the value of a funeral before a loss occurs, clear up misconceptions about prefunding, and highlight the true purpose of preplanning, you give families peace of mind.

All while securing future revenue for your funeral home.

Let's grow your preneed program together

Fill out the form below to schedule a meeting with us!

Want to learn more about the future of preneed?

Listen to the full episode of The Director’s Playbook here!