It might be hard to see how your funeral home could benefit from YouTube at first, but it’s worth giving a chance.

With a little outside-the-box thinking, YouTube can actually offer some great perks. It can help you stand out from your competition across town, or easily build trust with the families you serve.

Studies show that almost 80% of the population already watches video online over multiple devices. It’s because visual data is easier for our brains to process — 90% of information our brains receive is visual information, and our brain is able to process that visual information 60,000 times faster than text.

Simply put, humans respond better to videos. A video leaves us with a longer-lasting impression and it’s easier for us to engage with.

Businesses that use video are able to connect with their audiences better. However, YouTube for most businesses is about trying to sell, while for a funeral home YouTube means reaching your families in more meaningful ways.

Why Use YouTube?

The dynamic of your client families is changing. When looking for a funeral home, families might be looking from out-of-state to bury a relative in their hometown. Or families might be homebound and not able to make an initial trip out to the funeral home, but still want to learn about your services.

Using video can help make your funeral home more visible to nontraditional families and ultimately make them more comfortable. Below are ideas for the types of videos you can put on YouTube.

Educate Your Families

One of the biggest problems funeral directors face is the misrepresentation of the funeral profession that gets portrayed by the media. It seems the news is quick to jump on the negative stories, but rarely portrays any of the good. It leads to a lot of misconceptions about what funeral directors actually do.

This is where YouTube can come in handy. Educational YouTube videos are one of the most popular types of video content. As a funeral director, you can create videos that give detailed explanations about the kinds of services you offer — personalized services, burial services, cremation options, veterans services etc. Use the video to explain the differences and value of each service that your home provides.

Tell Your Story

One of the best reasons to use YouTube in your funeral home is to be even more personable.

Families want to work with a funeral home they know and trust. Showing a video of you and your staff makes a great first impression. They can be simple, short, and to the point. During the video, introduce yourself, your qualifications, and what brought you to the funeral profession in the first place. Let your genuine compassion for your families shine throughout the video.

Show Your Funeral Home Off

After you’ve told your story, it’s time to tell your funeral home’s story. Use a video to show off your facility. A video tour will give those families out of state or homebound a chance to see the building. It also will help you stand out from the competition, highlighting the unique atmosphere your funeral home creates.

Showcase Your Caskets, Urns and Other Tribute Gifts

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video must be worth millions. Showing off a product through a photo is a great start, but using video can give families a full exhibition of a product. A person that can watch a video of an item tends to trust it more. An Animoto survey found that out of 1,000 people, almost three-fourths were more likely to purchase something after watching a video about the product.

The study also found that 96% of respondents found the videos to be generally helpful when making a decision, and 93% said they found it helpful when making comparisons to other products. By showcasing the items you offer, families can get an understanding of the product. It also allows you to explain the value each item can bring to a funeral service.

Let Your Families Tell Their Story

Many families will feel moved by the compassion and service you provide them in their time of need. Some will want to offer a testimonial. Give them an outlet to do so! Remember, we relate better when it comes to visuals rather than simply reading text. A video testimonial will create powerful connections for your families.