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I recently visited a facility outside Pittsburgh that is a perfect illustration of what to do with a conventional building. This location is humble and it is in a humble part of town. The owner can’t move.

What he has done, instead, is decorate in ways that overcome that “lonely lifeless tomb” feel and elevate it to a warm, upbeat, and friendly atmosphere. It is not a place where people just want to come to pay respects. Its décor, lighting, and layout is such that one is encouraged to stay and visit.

He has taken what he has and turned it into something that is so remarkable that it actually makes some of his competitors facilities look sinister. That visit taught me that a good decorator can transform humble or even negative facilities to something special.

The 21st Century facility incorporates the outdoors with lots of outside lighting. If you have the ability, providing access to an outdoor party patio with a fountain, fireplace, and barbecue pit could be ideal. I have been to a number of facilities that have back or side yards that would be perfect for features like a gazebo and/or a garden. How would conducting a funeral in something like this impact the experience?

All of this is both affordable and doable for most funeral homes. But, most important, it’s what customers want.

Alan Creedy is celebrating his 43rd year as a consultant to the Funeral Profession. You can learn more about him and the services he offers at his website: https:// funeralhomeconsulting.org/

Priya Parker's book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, was published in 2020. It is currently avaialble wherever books are sold. Click here to view they book's listing on Amazon.

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