by joshua2 | Media
Do you ever arrange funerals with client families who want a particular coloured coffin?
They might say something to you like…
“We’d like a purple coffin for mum – it was her favourite colour.”
Of course, you want to help them with their request.
But guess what?
There’s a million-and-one variations of purple…
The purple colour they want, may actually be mauve, or lilac, or even violet.
Thankfully Expression Coffins are available in any solid colour.
All you need to do with the family is find the correct colour and let us know.
Here’s what to do…
1. Go to this Dulux webpage: https://www.dulux.com.au/specifier/colour/colour-atlas (Note: you don’t have to use Dulux, but it has a nice selection of colours and is easy to use)
2. Scroll down to the ‘Colour Atlas’
3. Click on one of the colour bars
4. Select your colour from the swatches (there are 1000’s to choose from)
5. Advise us of the colour name and number (e.g.: Exploding Star, S17H7)
6. We’ll then email you a proof of the Expression Coffin for approval by the family.
7. Once approved, we’ll get the coffin underway.
The great thing about using Expression Coffins for solid colour coffins is that there are no paint fumes from drying paint.
Additionally, you can have almost any colour imaginable (as you’d appreciate, what you see on a computer screen always differs slightly to the finished coffin – but we get very close).
And the price?
You only pay a standard Expression Coffin price. We do not charge extra for solid colours.
by joshua2 | Media
If you haven’t heard this phrase from your staff or colleagues, then you may have heard it from another funeral home…
“The families we serve only want cheap coffins”. Or another variation of this is, “Our families only buy ‘flat lid’ coffins”.
Right, let’s examine this…
Firstly, we have to agree on one thing before we continue.
That is, in general, funerals are an important experience for people, and, offer significant value to families going through the grieving process.
Ok, if we agree on this, then obviously, the coffin (or casket) must be an integral component and an important focal point for the family during the funeral. And, be of some inherent value for them.
So why then, do some funeral directors insist, “The families we serve only want cheap coffins”?
Here’s one explanation – and this does not just relate to funerals.
Families (like all consumers) will often buy the cheapest products offered (e.g. coffins) when they don’t understand the benefits of the more expensive options.
It makes perfect sense.
If families haven’t understood the features and benefits of each model in a funeral home’s coffin and casket selection (or had these details properly explained), then why would they buy anything other than the cheapest options?
In their mind – and rightly so – they just wouldn’t have the knowledge to justify a more expensive coffin purchase.
When you think about it, how many times during people’s lives do they have to buy a coffin? Once or twice perhaps? Three times maybe?
Therefore, when a family meet with a funeral director for a funeral arrangement, they come with little or no knowledge of what to look for, or what to ask about, when it comes time to select the coffin.
They are relying on the arranger’s guidance to help them choose a coffin that best meets their needs AND represents the best value for them. They won’t always be looking for the cheapest coffin.
Again, it’s not only funerals, many consumers will be happy to purchase a more expensive product (e.g. a better coffin) if they understand what the benefits of the additional cost will be.
Sure, it takes extra time to thoroughly go through all the coffin and casket options with a family during the arrangement.
But, by doing this, the funeral director is empowering the family to choose a coffin that best matches their needs – and it may not be the cheapest coffin.
by joshua2 | Media
You, as a funeral director, would see or handle MDF coffins almost every day in your funeral home.
In fact, more than 2 out of 3 coffins used in Australia is made from MDF.
Therefore, it may be worth knowing a little bit about this product. Especially so you can talk with families about it with more confidence when you’re arranging a funeral.
But what is it? Is it actually timber? Or is it a man-made product? The answer, as you’ll read below, is both.
What is MDF?
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) or Customwood is a man-made, engineered wood product.
How is MDF produced?
MDF is made by breaking down wood into fibres – much like the production of cardboard.
These fibres are then combined with wax, glue and resin, along with heat and pressure to form 16mm thick panels.
The panels are as hard, or harder than actual wood. And, are smooth and free of blemishes.
Finally, a thin paper (veneer), with a printed wood grain effect, is glued onto the surface of the MDF to look like real timber grain.
Why is MDF used to make coffins?
Traditionally, all coffins were made from solid timber. However, over time high quality solid timber became more expensive and harder to source.
Paper-veneered MDF was introduced into coffin making because it gave the look of real timber grain without the cost of real timber.
Nowadays, MDF allows for a cheaper range of coffins to be produced that may be more affordable for some families.
Other benefits of MDF includes:
- MDF is free of knots. Knots can occur naturally in some timber but are undesirable in coffin manufacture as they can cause weak points.
- MDF is also strong but can be cremated and buried.
- MDF can be cut, machined and sanded just like regular timber. This allows for more efficient production, as machinery can be used in our factory that is common to both MDF and solid timber coffin manufacturing.
Is MDF environmentally-friendly?
At Ashton, we use eZero MDF.
Which has has lower formaldehyde emissions than some other MDF.
Our MDF is produced from timber which is sourced from plantation radiata pine grown in Oberon in New South Wales and Gympie in Queensland.
For more information, we have a one-page brochure on the MDF production process on our Resources page. Why not share this with your team.
If you haven’t already, just register on our Resources page to have free access to useful items such as our catalogues, marketing assets and educational material.
Related article: Camphor Laurel timber coffins & caskets
by joshua2 | Media
When a loved one passes away their Facebook account can have real value for family members left behind. There may be numerous photos, videos and moments from the deceased’s life, captured over the years, that the family wants to be able to access thereafter. Often, the photos and videos on Facebook don’t exist elsewhere. Having access to these can help with the grieving process and in remembering the deceased for family and friends.
However, many people are not aware that Facebook has a memorialisation feature that can be activated once someone has passed away. Funeral directors can assist to make families aware of this feature and easily help families to memorialise their loved one’s Facebook account.
What are the benefits of a Memorialised Facebook account?
Memorialised Facebook accounts are a place for friends and family to gather and share memories after a person has passed away. Memorialised accounts have the following key features:
- The word ‘Remembering’ will be shown next to the person’s name on their profile.
- Depending on the privacy settings of the account, friends can share memories on the memorialised Timeline.
- Content the person shared (eg: photos, posts) stays on Facebook and are permanently visible to the audience it was shared with.
- Memorialised profiles don’t appear in public spaces such as in suggestions for ‘People You May Know’, ads or birthday reminders.
- No one can log into a memorialised account, so it becomes permanently secure, and an enduring online tribute.
How can funeral directors help?
Funeral directors can:
- Advise families that their loved ones’ Facebook accounts can be ‘memorialised’.
- Explain the benefits of a memorialised account.
- Direct families to this Facebook link where their memorialisation request can be made.
- Suggest this link for further reading for families about managing a deceased person’s Facebook account.
by joshua2 | Media
Planning for the day you leave your business is a valuable investment. Whether you decide to sell up, retire or have to get out of business due to health reasons, it’s important that you spend the time with your family and/or your business partners and plan what you’re going to do.
A good succession plan enables a smooth transition with less likelihood of disruption to operations. By planning your exit well in advance, you can maximise the value of your business and enable it to meet future needs.
Create a succession plan that is attainable – this means setting a realistic timetable and measurable milestones along the way and sticking to them.
The Australian Government’s business.gov.au website has a free succession plan template and guide for you to use. Download it here
This Succession plan template provides you with a sample structure and suggested contents to help guide you when preparing your own succession. It also includes examples and specific links to relevant websites for more information.
Read more at www.business.gov.au/Info/Exit
Related article: The succession pipeline – it can’t be ignored in family businesses
