I had a wonderful opportunity to address the Mid-Atlantic Funeral and Cemetery conference last week in Atlantic City. A great group of business people and a fabulous conference!
As I prepared to take the stage ? I followed Maureen O?Brien. ?Mo? addressed the audience on the topic of creating an experience for a family by marketing to them the ?opportunity? to say good-bye. As I listened to her speak, with every point that she made as to the benefit in giving families these opportunities, I couldn?t help but think ?our beloved and precious pets? every time she mentioned these rituals that families want for their ?loved ones.?
As a pet parent, and much like other pet parents who proclaim ?our pets are family members,? I, too, want this opportunity. Just because my ?family member? has four legs and fur does not make them any less of a love to myself and others like me.
As I addressed the group, I talked about other large companies who have jumped into the pet space with their businesses. From the likes of Polo Ralph Lauren who makes it widely known that ALL of their stores are pet friendly with treats and designated dog walkers to the Fairmont Hotel chain where animals are on staff at the majority of their properties, these businesses have clearly seen the benefits of acknowledging ALL types of family members by allowing pets to be a part of either a shopping experience or a hotel-stay experience. Clearly, they have figured out if a consumer can share this experience with their pet, or a pet, they will most certainly be a more loyal and satisfied customer!
Being in the funeral biz, this quote is priceless and oh-so-true ? ?People bury people because they have to. People bury pets because they get/want to.? Are you allowing YOUR families this opportunity to say ?good-bye?? They want this service,? will you give it to them or will it be someone else?
