Q&A: How can I develop an online memorial service?

Notes from Chris

Episode 1542

Dying is part of life for approximately 100% of us. It’s not something we always like to think about, but when we realize “Hey, we’re all in this same club” maybe it gives you some perspective.

In the past we’ve had a feature on two German friends (#214) who set out to reinvent the funeral urn business with colorful designs.

One of the consequences of the pandemic era is that families and loved ones have not always been able to grieve together at funerals or memorial services when someone dies.

The purpose of a funeral or wake or anything similar is to offer a space for grief.

Another episode, (#721), was all about an Australian guy who started an online memorial service more than two years ago. He was thinking largely of people who weren’t able to travel or otherwise attend an in-person service, but of course it might be all the more relevant today. That’s what one of our listeners is wondering about.

"Hey Chris this is Brad from Denver and I’ve been listening to your show since episode 1. I can’t believe we’re on season 5! I heard an old episode you did about someone who provided online memorials. I imagine that's something that is of special significance during a pandemic when people aren't able to travel to services or in some cases even gather in one town.”

I'd like to offer a version of this, complete with a range of options including a message from a local minister or Toastmaster's Club speaker, a webpage where people can leave messages, and maybe even some offline follow-up materials that go out in the mail. My thought is that in the future, more and more memorial services will be online even when it's safe to attend them in person, or in some cases there will be an online version and an in-person service. Do you have any advice? Thanks."

Listen to today's episode to learn more...

 

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SEE ALSO:

• German Funeral Urns Are Not a Dying Business: Two friends in Germany create a side hustle manufacturing funeral urns that double as personalized works of art.
• Online Memorial Services Are the New Funerals: An Australian communications strategist creates an online memorial service that earns $250,000 a year.
• Crafting Maven Creates World’s Most Practical Workbook: A particularly productive crafter shares her goal-setting tips with readers, then goes on to make a “Get to Work Book” that earns more than $1 million in sales in the first three years.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,