Must know Information- Kicker Chapter 11 Flashcards
- Caskets
- Outer Burial Containers
- Urns
- Burial Garments
- Cremation containers
- Rental Caskets
- Cremation jewelry
- Register books/ Memorial and Thank you cards
- Religious items
- Memorial videos
- Monuments and memorials
Funeral Merchandise
Based on evaluation of sales history, availability of products, recommendation of suppliers, and the amount of profit a director wishes the firm to generate.
- Should be profit oriented and take into consideration the normal cost of living increase and legitimate profit increase each year.
- Purchase of display items should be coordinated with profit objectives, as well as merchandise.
- Value must be readily apparent, easily explained and understood by the customer.
Sales Objectives
Any merchandising plan is only as good as the director’s knowledge of the products being sold and his or her ability to convey this knowledge to the buyer.
- A family can quickly distinguish knowledgable directors from one who isn’t by the presentation given and the manner in which questions are answered.
The Human Factor- Product Knowledge
- Can they provide goods
- Do they have goods available
- Are they reliable?
- Do they supply good service?
- Do they make appropriate provisions?
- Do they employ representatives?
- Do they provide discounts?
Suppliers
- Cash discount
- Quantity discount
- Rebate
- Consignment
Discounts and Other Incentives:
A reduction of the price given for payment of an account within the tie limits established by the sales contract.
Cash Discount
Reduction in the amount of a bill when a minimum quantity of merchandise has been ordered.
Quantity Discount
A return of a portion of payment.
Rebate
The funeral director does not have to pay for the merchandise that will be displayed until it is sold.
Consignment
- Not enough- problems in trying to meet the request of the family.
- Too much- having money tied up that could be used for other needs.
- Smaller firms can keep track with minimum record keeping.
- Larger firms- computer programs that keep track continually and can automatically make orders when demand is needed.
Inventory
Those goods or stock of goods which are held for resale.
Inventory
The number of times the average inventory has been sold or used up during a period.
Inventory Turnover
The quantity to be purchased which minimizes total costs.
Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
- Generally should be located in the same building as the funeral home.
- May be in another building
- Should be located on the main floor
- If not on main level - psychologically upstairs is better than downstairs (elevator should be available).
- Elevator should be made for the purpose for carrying people and not be a freight elevator.
Casket Display Room
- Fractional
- Traditional
Types of Casket Selection Rooms
Features sections of a casket such as 1/4 or 1/8 panels or end sections, on a wall display. May also have a limited number of full caskets displayed.
Fractional Display Room
Features a selection of full size caskets.
Traditional Display Room
- Indirect, recessed incandescent lights
- Ninety to one hundred foot candles of illumination measured at approximate pillow height on a displayed casket
- Spotlights used to show off better caskets
Best Lighting for a Casket Display Room
The amount of illumination produced by a source of one candle at a distance of one foot.
Foot Candle
- Florescent
- Incandescent
- Direct
- Indirect
Lighting Options
The illumination produced by a tubular electric discharge lamp; the fluorescence of phosphors coating the inside of a tube.
Fluorescent Lighting
The illumination resulting from the flowing of a heated filament.
Incadescent Lighting
Illumination directly shining on an object.
Direct Lighting
Reflected illumination of an object.
Indirect Lighting
- Casket rack
- Casket stand (casket standard)
- Church truck
Display Equipment
A device upon which two or three caskets are placed, one on top of the other for display.
Casket Rack
The stand or support upon which a casket rests in the selection room. It should be:
- Sturdy- be able to support weight and movement of a casket. It should give the appearance of strength.
- Attractive- Clean, dust free, with no scratches, dents, or broken parts.
Casket Stand (Casket Standard)
A wheeled collaspible support for the casket, used in the funeral home, church, or other location when moving a casket.
Church Truck
- The “given” is no one really enjoys a casket selection room.
- Designed and decorated to be as comfortable as possible.
- Light pastel paint or wall covering (makes the room more open)
- Colors not clashing with casket interiors or exteriors.
- Focal Points- statues, flower arrangements, objects of art, and furniture groupings.
- Signage should be attractive, easy to read and understand.
Selection Room Enhancements (Decor)
- Required state and federal disclosures
- Quantity of merchandise displayed
- Types of merchandise displayed
- Possible presentation of price lists
- The amount of money they have spent before the purchase of merchandise
- Merchandising aids
Pre Selection Room Introduction
- All of the lights on
- The funeral director enter the room first
- The demonstration group near the door.
To Reduce the Shock of Entering the Room: