COVID-19 is the Tipping Point for Cremation E-Commerce: Restart Series #1
Courtney Gould Miller • May 18, 2020

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created countless obstacles in our industry,  there are just as many opportunities for those willing to try something new. Case in point: The e-commerce cremation websites we’ve launched this past month have seen record growth, providing an affordable option for families who want to plan a direct cremation online. Why the incredible success? Higher death rates in certain markets may be part of the reason, but we believe it has more to do with consumer preferences and behaviors that have shifted during this time.

Case Study:
Milwaukee Cremation
Visit:  www.milwaukeecremate.com
Launched late April 2020

Milwaukee Cremation , a brand of Krause Funeral Homes & Cremation Service in Milwaukee, WI , focused on simple cremation with an entirely online service offering, including online body identification, e-signature of forms, and online payment. Milwaukee Cremation began with a two-part approach to marketing, including a pay-per-click budget large enough to cover the high search volume for cremation services in their market, and a TV campaign to explain their offerings and advertise their competitive pricing. In the first 10 days of operation, Milwaukee Cremation served 7 families through their website, with more coming each day. To expand on this early success, more marketing efforts are planning, including organic search and billboards.

Mark Krause, owner of Krause Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Informed Choice, and Milwaukee Cremation says, “Having a way for families to plan a cremation entirely online expands our reach and allows us to achieve even greater volume in our market, while keeping the price accessible to all families. In just weeks we’ve seen how this complements our full-service and discount brands to have a third offering, just for online and simple cremation.” Krause continues, “I’ve always trusted MKJ with my marketing. Their guidance through this process, including choosing the name, creating the logo and branding style, and planning the entire marketing strategy through their Digital360 program and television commercials, was exactly what I needed. I’ve also taken so much from MKJ’s Cremation E-Commerce Mastermind that prepared me to launch well even during coronavirus.”

Other clients who have operated cremation e-commerce businesses for years with MKJ Marketing’s websites and marketing strategy are seeing that investment pay off. Paul St. Pierre, owner of St. Pierre Family Funeral & Cremation Services and Simplicity in Indianapolis, also operates Cremation Society of Indiana. He reports Cremation Society of Indiana has served the same number of families in the first four months of 2020 as during the first six months of 2019. Similarly, Simply Hart’s of Hart’s Mortuary and Cremation Center in Macon, GA, and Cypress Lawn’s All County Cremation Service in San Francisco have seen large increases in calls through their online business in 2020. MKJ Marketing also designed the site and marketing for Lumen Cremation that launched in early 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.

MKJ’s team is at work on many more e-commerce websites, as numerous firms want to serve their markets 24/7 through an online location. With an e-commerce website, no storefront or physical location is necessary. Instead, families answer questions on your website then pay by credit card. Identification and e-signature can also take place through the website.

Interested in learning about how you can launch your own cremation e-commerce website, or  better market your current discount offering? Contact MKJ Marketing for a free consultation on this opportunity.

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MKJ Announces Seminar for November 2023 in Napa Valley

By Kara Apel • July 14, 2023
The MKJ Seminar will be held Nov. 13 and 14 at the Grand Reserve at the Meritage Resort. The luxurious resort is close to several airports, including San Francisco and Oakland, and is located just a few miles from downtown Napa.

MKJ Marketing to Conduct 33rd Annual Ski Seminar

By MKJ Marketing • December 20, 2022
Nashville, TN — MKJ Marketing Seminars address the most pressing issues facing funeral business owners. During this period of economic uncertainty, owners are experiencing their best business years ever regarding at-need volume, but profits may be lagging. As we await the anticipated recession, operators are uncertain how best to manage their costs and pricing. Innovation is not a point-in-time decision but a mindset and business culture. MKJ’s 2023 Ski Seminar will share insights from research and experience working with funeral homes throughout the year and from coast to coast. Learn how digital marketing has evolved and how to make it work best for you Learn how a recession creates opportunities for market share gains Learn how your website can allow you to sell more online by offering products consumers want The potential in email marketing New service offerings to get 5-star reviews How to compete with lower-priced competition during a recession The Ski Seminar dates are Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. The seminar was moved to earlier in the year to assure the best skiing experience as the warmer climate could make later in February slushy. The host hotel is the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek — one of Colorado’s finest ski resorts. The resort is ski-in/ski-out and features amenities unavailable at most resorts. MKJ successfully negotiated a very good room rate (hundreds of dollars below the resort’s published room rate). Note: For the first time in MKJ’s 41-year history, we will not be conducting the annual Florida seminar, as the resort was severely damaged by Hurricane Ian. Don’t miss this up-to-date content that will be only offered at the Ski Seminar. For more information on MKJ Marketing’s upcoming seminar programs, visit www.mkjmarketing.com/seminars or call 888-655-1566 to register.
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