What Working as a Funeral Director Taught Me About Building a Funeral Home Website

Working as a funeral director myself, I know a website isn't usually the first thing on your mind when you're running a funeral home.

There are families to look after, funerals to arrange, phones to answer and a business to run.

But I've also learned that your website can be much more important than you might think.

For many families, your website is the first time they come across your funeral home. And that first impression matters.

Your website should feel like your funeral home

When a family walks into your funeral home, they get a feeling for who you are. They meet you. They see the building. They speak to your team.

Your website needs to do something similar.

It doesn't need to be flashy. It doesn't need lots of complicated features. It simply needs to feel professional, clear and human.

If you're an independent funeral director, I think it's especially important that your website feels like your business. Tell people who you are. Introduce your team. Explain where you've been serving the local community. Let people see the people behind the business.

Families want answers

When someone visits a funeral director's website, they may have lots of questions. They might want to know:

• How do I arrange a funeral?
• How much does a funeral cost?
• What services do you provide?
• Where are you based?
• What areas do you cover?
• What happens next?

Your website should make finding these answers easy.

You don't need to use complicated language. In fact, I think simple is better. Write your website in the same way you would speak to a family sitting in front of you.

Make it easy to contact you

This sounds obvious, but it's something I always look at.

Can someone quickly find your telephone number? Can they see where you're based? Can they find your opening hours? Can they contact you from their phone?

If someone needs a funeral director, they shouldn't have to search around your website for how to get in touch. Make it simple.

Don't forget mobile phones

A lot of people will visit your website on their phone. Your website should therefore work just as well on a small screen as it does on a computer.

The text should be easy to read. Buttons should be easy to press. Your phone number should be easy to find. Pages shouldn't take ages to load.

These things might sound small, but they can make a big difference.

Your website should build trust

This is probably the biggest lesson my time as a funeral director has taught me.

Families need to trust you. Your website can't replace the personal service you provide, but it can help create that first feeling of trust.

Show people who you are. Use real photographs where possible. Explain what you do. Answer their questions. Make your prices and important information easy to find.

And most importantly, be yourself.

SEO is only part of it

I work in web design and SEO now, so obviously I want funeral directors to be found on Google.

But getting someone to your website is only half the job. Once they're there, the website needs to make them feel comfortable.

There's no point being number one on Google if someone visits your website and immediately leaves because they can't find what they need.

Good SEO gets people through the door. A good website gives them a reason to stay.

Why I started Agnew Digital

This is one of the reasons I started Agnew Digital.

I work as a funeral director myself, so I understand the industry from the inside. I know how important the work is. I also know how busy independent funeral directors can be.

You shouldn't have to spend your evenings worrying about whether your website works properly or whether people can find you on Google. That's what I'm passionate about helping with. Helping good independent funeral directors reach more families who need them.

A final thought

If you're a funeral director, have a look at your website today.

Don't look at it as the business owner. Look at it as a family who has never used your funeral home before.

Ask yourself: does this website make me feel that I can trust this funeral director?

If the answer is yes, you're doing something right. If not, there may be some simple changes that could make a big difference.

Your website doesn't need to be complicated. It just needs to help people, answer their questions and feel like you.