End of Life and Funeral Planning

An easier way to offer your clients more choices

As a funeral service (or veterinary) professional, you want to offer your clients a wide variety of choices in care. You offer numerous service options, and work hard to maintain a good selection of memorial products. As you know, keeping up inventory and managing relationships with multiple suppliers takes time - time you would rather be spending with the families you serve. It may be no surprise that some providers are now outsourcing this function. One way to offer your clients a wider range of choices is through partnerships or affiliate relationships (such as our affiliate program). Terms vary widely, as do services and options, so be sure to research your potential partners carefully. Questions to ask:

• How long has the company been in business?
• Will their product selection be a good match for your clientele?
• Can you get a real person on the phone?
• What do their customers say about them?
• Does the commission seem fair?
• Are they in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and professional organizations?

A few pet resources of interest

Some pet welfare websites and blogs you might want to read:

The Pet Work Blog
A variety of resources covering everything from canine cancer to gourmet pet treats.

PAWS Chicago
Illinois organization dedicated to animal welfare.  Hosts adoption events and runs a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Chicago.

Great Green Pets
Trying to live a greener lifestyle? Get your pets into the act.

You can find more organizations on our resources page.

Grief and loss info from AARP

AARP has compiled an extensive list of articles on the grieving process, funeral planning, and end of life issues.

Going green

The Live Earth concerts were broadcast yesterday, calling attention to the issue of climate change. Reducing one's impact on the environment need not end with life. New funeral and cremation options allow consumers to make choices that are eco-friendly. Green cemeteries do away with caskets, vaults, and grave markers (and sometimes embalming). Biodegradable cremation urns dissolve without harming the soil or water, and are often constructed from sustainably harvested materials. Even pet memorials are available in these materials, so pet owners who wish to memorialize their pets can select earth-friendly urns.

Some of our earth-friendly options:
Biodegradable Urns
Biodegradable Pet Urns
Shaker all-wood urns
Trappist wood caskets

New American urns

There are hundreds of companies making cremation urns these days. Some still make their urns in the United States, though many now turn to overseas labor. One company still relying on American craftmanship is Treasure Line, which has been making hardwood urns by hand in the Pacific Northwest for more than 20 years. What makes their urns different is the 3-D reliefs their artists create using a variety of woods. Plus, they offer them in a number of themes, including golf, motorcycling, the outdoors, and even cats. The also craft  traditional hardwood urns in classic designs, and have some beautiful urns featuring Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Good Shepherd. We are pleased to make these urns available to the families we serve.