Think this has nothing to do with your funeral home since you are not a pet funeral provider? Think again. Offering this service can gain your funeral home free publicity, forge partnerships within your community and build a list of grateful humans who see your funeral home as a supportive place to turn to.

Best of all: OGR has already done most of the work for you! “Fur”ever in My Heart Pet Remembrance Service
is a templated service that comes with everything you
need to host this event.

Grow your contact list the same way I did. I wrote and officiated this annual service for many years when I was working at cemeteries and funeral homes, and was able to amass a mailing list of over 600 community members who attended the service over that time. Every single name on that list had met the staff, seen the facility and left with contact information in their hand. Most attended the service year after year and created a bond with the business.

Build relationships with community pet organizations by allowing them to have an informational table at your event. Ask them to help you promote the service to the clients they serve and to their mailing lists. Pet rescues, boutique pet supply stores, doggy day cares, boarding facilities and veterinary hospices all can be invited to attend your event.

Pitch your service to local media outlets. Many of those producers and reporters have pets of their own and can relate to the heartache of losing a beloved “fur baby.” They will welcome you on their radio show or interview you for the nightly news broadcast to help reach others in the community who are hurting from this disenfranchised grief. Printed magazines, newspapers and even church bulletins will feature your event.

They know by joining together, a level of acceptance, understanding and healing takes place that can be found nowhere else. Your funeral home will receive the following items from OGR:

• a templated service filled with poems, songs and
• ceremonies
• templated invitation
• flyer sample
• press release
• program book sample
• service planning and set-up advice
• marketing advice

To learn more and get started, call Nancy at (512) 334-5504, ext. 304, or email her at [email protected]!

This message was originally published in the Spring 2022 issue of The Independent® magazine. Click here to read the entire issue.

Serving as OGR’s member resources director, Grief Support program facilitator and supply partner liaison, Nancy brings her years of experience working in the funeral industry to our members. A national speaker and trainer with certifications as a Grief Services Provider, Funeral Celebrant, Soul Injury Ambassador and Laughter Leader, Nancy is uniquely qualified to bring new perspectives into how to best meet the needs of the families you serve. You can reach Nancy at (512) 334-5504, ext. 304 or [email protected]