I am a member of Connecting Directors, a Facebook/LinkedIn-type social networking group that targets those in the funeral business. I wanted to share this article they recently posted. I applaud any funeral home that is wise enough to open themselves to serving the pet-loving populace. It’s good for their bottom line, of course, but it also sends a very validating message to pet owners who otherwise might suffer from the perceived stigma attached to grieving the death of a pet as a family member. You might like to check with some funeral homes in your own area and suggest to them that they offer pet funeral services—and of course that they carry my book, “Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss,” as a means of providing ongoing support to their clients in need. (Subtle, huh?)—Sid
Almost 7 years later, I still hear from funeral directors and cemeterians that they are concerned about offending people by offering pet loss services. Okay, I hear what you are saying. However, as you really take a look at this group of people, the pet parents, I challenge you to understand how you CANNOT look at serving this market.
First of all, as I look at funeral homes/cemeteries around the United States, owners and employees of these operations are encouraged to “become” a part of their community. They are members of the Lions Club, the Elks Club, the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, various church affiliated associations and numerous other social clubs in their respective community.
However, as you analyze the “club” of pet parents – the numbers become astounding! Did you know that sixty-two percent of people have a pet?
That means that if you are in a market of 200,000 people, automatically you will now have a service that can be targeted at 124,000 people! 124,000 people! Do the math for your own community and what that means for you!
When on earth have you ever had a new type of service like this that automatically opens up your entire business immediately to a new demographic! Can you imagine belonging to a “club’ that now gives you something in common with over half of your market? Can you imagine servicing this group of people – and how it opens up the marketing opportunities for your entire business, all because you helped a family honor their pet in death – honor this new type of “family member?”
So, you’re still worried about offending non-pet lovers because you offer this service? Do the math,…. would you rather appeal to 62% of your market – or 38%? Because I can assure you – someone WILL go after the 62%. Why wouldn’t it be you?
Article By Coleen Ellis – Two Hearts Pet Loss Center
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November 18, 2010 at 4:15 am
Iris Arenson-Fuller
Good point about the marketing potential but much more important is the need for people to feel ok and validated about their grief for their lost beloved pets. I have lost many human loved ones and also pets and while I know that non-pet lovers do not think it is possible or “right” to grieve the same way as one would for a human loss, love knows no such distinctions. I am a certified professional coach and deal with grief and loss of many types, including pet loss grief and I know how much pet owners who are grieving benefit from the help and support.
November 18, 2010 at 5:51 pm
goodgriefpetloss
Iris,
I agree with you 100%. I especially like how you phrased it when you said “Love makes no distinctions.” Loss is loss. How we feel about any loss of a loving relationship differs from person to person, but for anyone to utterly discount our pain just because they can’t relate to the intensity of our bonds to our animals is a sign of diminished compassion on their part. Thanks for responding.
November 18, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Iris Arenson-Fuller
Thanks for your reply. Took a look at your site and like it a lot. Perhaps you might be interested in my recent piece about pet loss on my blog.http://coachirisblogs.com/2010/10/27/lonely-grief-losing-a-beloved-pet-and-ways-to-heal/
Keep up the really good work.
November 18, 2010 at 6:23 pm
goodgriefpetloss
I just added your link to my Facebook pages! Thank you so much for sharing this excellent story.
November 18, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Iris Arenson-Fuller
Thank you. I hope we will connect again and I will also link.