What do people really want from a funeral director?

Arranging a funeral for a loved one can be a stressful time. There is a lot to think about, from arranging death certificates to planning the service, choosing a coffin or urn and selecting a memorial.

All this needs to be done at short notice while under immense emotional distress, which only makes things more difficult.

It’s no wonder people want to turn to a trusted funeral director during this time, yet the funeral industry has a reputation for pushy salespeople, with some companies more interested in selling expensive add-ons than providing a caring and dignified service.

At Newhaven Funerals, we want to change that.

So we asked “what do people really want from a funeral director?”

The answers may surprise a lot of our competition, but they were no surprise to us.

Honesty and transparency

Honesty and transparency are some of the most important qualities people look for in a funeral director.

They want open and honest communication about what services are available and how much they cost. This allows them to make decisions about what is important for them and the deceased.

Families also want to feel like they can trust their funeral director.

They want to ask questions about potentially sensitive subjects such as body preparation and get honest and upfront answers. At Newhaven Funerals, we provide several helpful guides to assist families to better understand the processes involved.

A friendly and understanding nature

The funeral business is naturally a sombre one, but that doesn’t mean funeral directors have to be cold and austere.

We believe one of the most important qualities a funeral director can have, after honesty and integrity, is a warm and friendly nature.

This goes a long way to making you feel comfortable at this most stressful of times.

You will be much more likely to ask difficult questions and be comfortable showing your grief if the person you are dealing with has a warm and friendly persona.

No pressure sales techniques

Some funeral directors have a reputation for using high-pressure sales techniques.

They are more interested in selling fancy gold plated coffin handles than delivering a respectful service for your loved one.

While there is nothing wrong with offering plenty of options, pushing these on families at this delicate time is not the right thing to do.

That’s why at Newhaven Funerals we never use such sales techniques.

We offer plenty of options for coffins, urns, flowers and memorials, but we present these in a way so that you never feel pressured into buying them.

Access to a range of options including non-traditional funerals

Alternative funerals are becoming more popular as families seek to give loved ones a less formal and unique send-off.

Alternative funerals can include non-religious services, humanist services, direct cremation, burial at sea and bio/eco-friendly funerals.

At Newhaven Funerals, we offer a comprehensive range of traditional and non-traditional funeral options, and we are always happy to discuss your ideas, no matter how crazy they may be.

Check out  our unique funeral ideas  article for some inspiration for what is possible.

An affordable option for families on a budget

Cost is a significant factor for many families when planning a funeral.

Research from the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) shows that 2 out of 3 people consider cost the most important factor, above religion, culture and family traditions.

So funeral directors must offer more affordable options that don’t have all the bells and whistles, but still treats loved ones with the respect and dignity they deserve.

That’s why we offer a range of cost-effective cremation packages tailored to meet your budget.

Highly recommended

People want to use a funeral director that comes highly recommended and in most cases, they will turn to family and friends at this time for advice.

As a family business, we pride ourselves on our reputation and the service we provide both before and after the funeral itself.

It’s not surprising that most of our business comes from word of mouth.

Our customers recommend us because they know we provide a professional and dignified service at an affordable price.

They know we don’t use high-pressure sales techniques and that we provide a complete service including planning, delivery and aftercare.

Let us help arrange your funeral

So if you need help arranging a funeral, get in touch with the caring professionals at Newhaven Funerals today.

We offer a range of traditional and non-traditional funeral packages across the Gold Coast, Logan & Brisbane.

We are always happy to help provide advice, so don’t hesitate to get in touch by completing the contact form here or call us 24/7 on 1800 644 524

Article by Tim Connolly Funeral Director – Newhaven Funerals

Tim Connolly – Funeral Director Newhaven Funerals Brisbane & Gold Coast. Growing up around funerals since the age of six allows Tim a unique understanding of how a family owned funeral business should be. Since leaving school in 1992 Tim has been deeply involved in all aspects of operating their family owned business, including operating crematoriums, memorial gardens and pet cremation business. Tim is always available to assist all clients with any request