I mentioned Rebecca Mead's book "One Perfect Day" a couple of weeks ago (see posting here--Posting: Fancy Wedding Backlash?) and based upon the reviews I thought it would contain mostly a critique of the "wedding industry".
Mead does show some skepticism at times but much more importantly she has taken the time to analyze and understand the social dynamics at work in a contemporary wedding both from the bride's side and from the providers' point of view. For those in funeral service interested in using the modern American wedding as a model for future service offerings, I would suggest you read this book very closely.
Weddings as "sold" to those who spend that magical $28,000 average (more on the statistics in a future posting), involve a central character, the bride, who by modern standards should become transformed and renewed throughout the time of engagement. As one industry insider put it in Mead's book, "Getting married provides an opportunity to revisit every failed New Year's resolution and, this time, to succeed.
Might funeral service offerings transform as well in some similar fashion? I don't know, but if it does happen, I suspect a different central figure will need to become an earlier participant and bigger organizer of the procedings. Yes, the eventual deceased will have to lead the way for the family members and they too will need special preparation for when the actual time of death arrives.
I have at least one interesting thought on how a firm might start constructing a different approach. I will keep that to myself for the moment (sorry, don't want to give my immediate competition any head start here) but will report findings as they come around.
And let me say this one more time. BUY THIS BOOK if you want a way to change your perspective on funerals and funeral service. It will take some insightful reinterpretations to have the wedding world enhance the funeral service world but I think it can be done.
Comments