Sign of the Times: Digital Signs Makes a Lasting First Impression
As they say, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
When a visitor comes to your funeral home, they’ll probably first notice how well-maintained the grounds and building are. They may notice the warmth of your staff or the tasteful décor of your reception area.
But when a friend of the family you’re serving comes to calling hours, what is their first impression—not of the facilities or your staff’s professionalism—but of the individualized service you provide? You may think that this is formed as they approach the casket, when they talk to the decedent’s family, or upon noticing the photo boards you’ve displayed in the chapel. But the impression of how well you are serving the family is formed before visitors even enter the room.
How are you guiding attendees around your funeral home? Have you considered that the way you display the name and service information of those entrusted to your care may be inconsistent with the personalized, attentive service you provide your families?
In some ways, funeral service is a behind-the-times industry, but funeral directors are embracing technology more every day. Consumers have come to expect the most up-to-date products and services technology can provide in all aspects of life, and planning a funeral is no different.
In the days of online obituaries, video tributes, and streaming funeral services to loved ones across the globe, static signs are an antiquated way to convey information and direct visitors. The felt boards, plastic letters, and paper signage so often used in funeral homes are often impersonal and unattractive. But digital directories are a modern solution—one that offers an opportunity for personalization—while communicating your business’s innovation, professionalism, and attention to detail.
What is a digital directory?
A digital directory system uses an LCD or LED display and a digital signage player PC (usually mounted behind the display) to deliver relevant, useful information, and attract visitors’ attention with aesthetically pleasing graphics and visuals. These systems can be wall-mounted or be integrated into a stand for easy integration into a funeral home. Custom framing may be added so that the technology blends seamlessly with your décor—a wide variety of styles and colors, including custom options, are available.
Digital directories may be used to direct visitors to the appropriate visitation room, to list the decedent’s personal information, and to communicate service information. They are frequently used in lobbies and reception areas, outside chapels and visitation rooms, and in other public areas. The layout and size of your facility will help determine your needs: For example, a large reception area that branches into different wings may require a main directory in the lobby, as well as screens outside each room. However, a smaller facility where all visitation rooms are within view upon entrance may only need a single directory screen or smaller individual directories for each room. Utilizing cloud technology, the web-based software allows for remote updating of directory signs from any location in the world.
Affordable technology and easy-to-use web-based software solutions make this technology attainable even for smaller funeral homes—many businesses can purchase and implement their system for under $600.
Making it personal…
Digital directories are not only functional—they are customizable displays that contribute to a meaningful experience. Easily personalized to suit the tastes, interests, and preferences of the decedent and their loved ones, directories can include a variety of information and visuals—from text and a photo, to animations, audio, and video. Various themes, colors, and backgrounds are also available. Many funeral homes choose to include only the decedent’s name, viewing room (ex. “Chapel A), service info, and photo, while others get more creative.
Visualize a name printed on a blank sheet of paper slid behind acrylic. Now picture a dynamic screen displaying a favorite photo of your loved one, with their name appearing against a background of a sunset on their favorite beach. Which do you think your families would prefer?
Getting the most from your digital directory
Extra directories can be employed in other areas—such as a coffee lounge, arrangement office, or selection room—to tell your business’s history, explain the benefits of pre-need, introduce products and services you offer, show photo tributes, provide grief resources, loop inspirational quotes, or otherwise help you promote your business or educate the community.
Today’s families look for every way possible to make the funeral of their loved one a unique, personalized experience—shouldn’t that begin from the moment they approach the room in which they’ll have that experience? An attractive, dynamic digital directory can be the finishing touch on a meaningful, customized service, and a reflection of your business’s attention to detail, up-to-date product and service offerings, and professionalism. To the friends who attend calling hours and services, the directory is often the first impression of the service you provide; and to the family who arranges their loved one’s tribute, it’s the last detail with which you’ve gone above and beyond.
What kind of impression do you want to make?
Jeff McCauley is the President of Greene Valley Media Co., makers of the award winning FuneralScreen digital directory solution. He can be contacted at 800.270.1237, or by email at jeff@funeralscreen.com.