Let’s be honest, most funeral homes don’t use their screens to their full advantage.
If you’ve got digital signage but are still printing schedules, taping arrows to doors, and answering the same “where’s the restroom?” question all day, you’re not alone. I’ve definitely been there.
But once we leaned into the information and wayfinding features on our FuneralScreen system, everything changed. Our staff felt less stressed, families seemed more confident, and guests stopped getting lost.
If you’re already invested in digital signage, or even considering it, here’s how to make your screens do the real work for you.
Post Today’s Service Schedule, Plain and Simple
This is the most important use of digital signage, and it’s also the one most often missed.
Every morning, we upload a simple screen showing:
- The deceased’s name
- The service start time
- The chapel or room it’s in
That screen lives on our main kiosk in the lobby and on the wall-mounted sign near the side entrance. It isn’t fancy, but it is clear. Guests walk in, see the name they’re looking for, and know exactly where to go. There’s no need to ask and no awkward uncertainty. Just clarity.
This one change cut down on 90% of front-desk questions during visitation hours. It also sets a calm tone the moment people walk through the door.
Real-Time Updates When the Unexpected Happens
If you’ve been in funeral service for more than a week, you know nothing stays on schedule. The floral delivery gets held up in traffic. A family wants to wait for Aunt Linda to arrive before starting the service. Things shift constantly.
With our cloud dashboard, we make updates in real time:
- “Smith Service Delayed, Will Begin at 11:30 AM”
- “Please proceed to Chapel B for the Lopez Service”
- “Reception moved to the Garden Room”
We can push changes to every screen in the building in seconds (from a laptop or even a phone). No printing, no taping signs, no explaining the same thing to each new guest. We make one update, and the message is everywhere it needs to be.
It makes your operation feel polished and in control, even when things are shifting behind the scenes.
Directional Signage That Speaks for You
If you’re still using static signs with arrows, you’re missing a big opportunity.
Our digital directional signage does the job better because it changes with the flow of the day. When we have multiple events running:
- One sign shows: “Smith Service → Chapel A”
- Another shows: “Restrooms ← This Way”
- A hallway screen points: “Reception → Garden Room”
When the next event starts, those directions update automatically. No one’s wandering. No one’s accidentally interrupting a service. Guests move smoothly through the building, and your staff stays focused on providing service, not giving directions.
If you have a larger facility or multiple chapels, this kind of wayfinding is a complete game changer.
General Info Guests Will Appreciate
- Funeral home hours
- Contact phone number
- Wi-Fi name and password (if you offer it)
- Local grief support contacts
- A QR code linking to the obituary page or livestream
We rotate these items on lower-priority screens during downtime, like in the reception area, near the coffee station, or by the front door.
It’s low effort, but it makes your space feel well-managed and thoughtful.
Add the Basics: Weather, Date, and Time
This is a small detail that makes a big difference.
We added a simple footer widget to our signage that shows:
- The current date
- Local time
- Weather conditions (with a clean, minimalist icon)
People glance at it constantly, especially during waiting periods. It adds utility, keeps the screen feeling active, and helps guests orient themselves if they’ve traveled from out of town.
Plus, it fills those awkward silent moments between scheduled events without needing filler content.
How This All Adds Up
These aren’t dramatic features. But together, they create a smoother, more professional environment for families and guests.
The benefits show up in small but meaningful ways:
- Fewer repetitive questions at the desk
- Fewer directional mix-ups
- Less paper waste and last-minute printing
- Staff freed up for more personal, high-touch tasks
- Families who feel taken care of before they’re even greeted
We didn’t roll all of this out at once. We started with schedules, then added directions, then updates. Over time, it became second nature. Now, on a busy day, our screens are doing half the work, and they never call in sick.
Final Thoughts from the Director’s Office
If you’re only using digital signage for tribute slideshows, you’re leaving value on the table. The best signage is invisible, it works quietly in the background, keeps things running, and helps your guests without them needing to ask for help.
So here’s a simple checklist:
- Are your screens showing today’s schedule?
- Can you update them from your phone in a pinch?
- Do they tell people where to go without staff involvement?
- Are you using them to answer common questions before they’re asked?
If not, the tools are there. Use them.
And if you’re not sure where to start, reach out. Ask someone who’s already doing it. That’s how we got here, and we’re happy to pay it forward.
