Article originally appeared on Golden Rule Funeral Home Blog
Funeral directors may see hospice as competition, but this shouldn’t be the case. Developing a relationship with your local hospice can be a rewarding endeavor. In my conversations with funeral directors, I’ve come across several ways to connect with these end-of-life caretakers.
Bridge the gap with your local hospice and see how you can work together to serve the families in your community. Here are some ways to get you started:
- Have someone from your funeral home be the main person that will develop the relationship with the hospice staff and volunteers.
- Invite hospice staff and volunteers to tour your facilities.
- Offer to hold grief and bereavement programs for families they serve at your location.
- Host an appreciation breakfast for the hospice nurses and other staff.
- Occasionally take donuts, pastries and/or bagels to the hospice for the nurses and staff. Everyone loves a donut!
- Provided printed materials for the hospice clients about services in the community, including any offered by your funeral home.
- Get involved with a hospice’s project throughout the year.
What are you doing to connect with hospice? Any other suggestions?
