Directing funerals can be a very tough job. Planning a funeral is often one of the most difficult things a person will do in their lifetime, and when you are the one walking them through it all, it can often feel like the weight of the world rests on your shoulders. You are dealing with people on their hardest days and in their deepest times of mourning, but at the same time you have a job to do. It’s still a business after all, and you have to worry about keeping costs low while still being as compassionate as possible.
Here are four ways to help you make sure you’re keeping costs down.
Have A Budget – And Stick To It
Just like with running any other type of business, it’s very important that you plan out a monthly or yearly budget and do not exceed it. If you notice that you are getting close to going over the budget, you may end up having to cut costs in places you don’t want to. Best to try and avoid getting into that predicament.
Build Relationships With Suppliers
This one gets easier the longer you have been in business. Providing good customer service is obviously of utmost importance, but it’s also imperative that you build strong relationships with your chemical suppliers. If you’re kind and loyal to them they will give you the best prices they can, thus helping to keep your costs low.
Conduct Business Online
It may come as a surprise to you, but a lot of funeral directing can actually be conducted online these days. Face to face meetings are becoming more and more obsolete in all different types of industries. By doing some of your business online or via phone, you’ll be able to do some work from home and will save on things like water and electricity bills by not having to be in the physical building.
Have Fewer Employees
By having just a few really great employees (including yourself, of course) instead of a large amount, you will inevitably save money. Employees who aren’t passionate about the funeral industry and don’t do their jobs well will slow everyone down and cost you extra in the long run. Thin out the herd and only keep the best employees on board. Your business and your pocketbook will thrive.
Running a funeral home is such a unique profession that comes with a set of challenges all its own, so it can be easy to forget that it is still a business and must be run as such. Keeping costs down will help ensure that your funeral business is successful for years to come, so hopefully the above tips can help you do just that.
