Using Social Networks to Choose Utah Funeral Homes

When it comes to choosing where to have the funeral service of a loved one in the Midwestern USA, did you know that social networks can have an impact on if certain Utah funeral homes will be considered? Perhaps a family has had a good experience with a particular funeral home out of all the funeral homes in the area. Perhaps families or friends make the decision to have a service in the local “neighborhood” funeral home. Maybe the decision-maker has chosen the location because a friend recommended the home. Or maybe, some families pick funeral homes because of cost concerns as they have compared competitors. Perhaps someone chose a funeral home because they saw the name online and wanted to investigate.

If you’ve not yet heard of the term, social media, we are going to explain what it is and how it is used to expand word-of-mouth marketing. Then we’ll explore the whether or not social media can play a role in how people choose Utah funeral homes. Facebook, Myspace and Twitter. These are all online social networks where people build on existing relationships and can also create new ones. It is social space where people share, vent, recommend and play games. If funeral homes began to integrate into this space and talk about experiences, would there be a benefit? Some think there would be especially for those who take a mindset of consumer education.

Losing a loved one is a very emotional matter. When families go through such an experience, it is hard to say whether they would be on these social spaces talking about their funeral home experience, but it’s very likely they will connect there. If funeral homes in Utah are found in the area where a social network user was consistently blogging about how they’ve helped other families, and those families spoke about their experience, word-of-mouth marketing then begins in a whole different place than your typical newspaper or yellow book ad.

Many funeral homes across the country and in Utah offer many types of services. These services can sometimes go beyond what you would “traditionally” expect. If said funeral homes offered counseling or consoling services and others in the area did not, they would have an advantage. If the funeral home wrote a blog or multiple blogs on the counseling services they offered, they would then have the chance to post the blog to different social networks. People who are in the social space would then have a chance to read and learn of the counseling service. Perhaps they may share it with a friend. Perhaps the consumer finds something in the blog article helpful and decides to comment on the post. Funeral homes can then have unique interactions online in a social space. Blogging is one way funeral homes can reach out to people.

Facebook is a way that many funeral homes can connect with their community. Facebook has a couple of options in regard to gathering people. Funeral homes can set up a profile under a group page or a fan page. I know it may seem a bit awkward to invite people to be “fans” of a funeral home in Utah or elsewhere, however, if the funeral home reaches out to the people who have experienced what they have offered, it could be a good way to facilitate more conversation online. Funeral homes can use Facebook to send messages to individuals or the entire group at once. Another positive thing about Facebook is that it can be a public page which can be linked to the website of the funeral home. Facebook allows you to update your status so funeral homes can keep people updated on what is happening. Facebook is also a good way to keep the community aware of who has passed, which funeral service or showing is taking place and the time.

Funeral homes in Utah can also utilize Twitter to keep their communities updated. Twitter is a form of “micro-blogging.” This means you have 140 characters or less to get your message out. For example, let’s say a funeral home writes a blog post on coping with the loss of a parent. The funeral home could then post the link to the blog on Twitter and if a community member sees that tweet, it has the potential to help him/her if that is something they’ve experienced. Community members can also re-tweet. Funeral homes can utilize social media as a different type of click-thru.

When it comes to Utah funeral homes and social media, there are many positives that can be found. With death being such a sensitive topic for some, it may take some time getting the right wording across to the right people. However, in terms of memorial services, by utilizing social media as a type of online obituary, a community could easily log onto their social networks to get the latest news on who has passed. As social networks continue to grow, so does the potential for funeral homes to participate.

Remember, we are here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.