Coming Up With Business Ideas

Business of Death Part 2

Written by Jay Shapiro for Gaebler Ventures

Death, as they say is one the few certainties in life, alongside taxes. So if we are to associate money matters with demise, are there business opportunities to be had in connection with human demise?

In Part 1 of this article we suggested that a website regarding death may be a lucrative business venture.

Bear in mind that your site needs to appeal to all cultures and the many different ways that death is viewed by them.

If you're providing information keep in mind also that many people dealing with a death are dealing with it for the first time, so some etiquette advice would be useful. Provide statistics on what the most popular funeral music is currently - some people will want to go with the popular choice, others will want a musical accompaniment that is as unique as the deceased was in life.

While some will have fixed ideas about suitable poetry for a funeral, and might even pen their own verse, others will be stuck for ideas, so this is perhaps something you can help with on site.

Ten other ideas for a site dedicated to the funeral industry:

• Offer free funeral service templates
• Feature images of floral arrangements to give people ideas
• Provide free sympathy e-cards
• Give info on the pros and cons of cremation and burial, bearing in mind the cultural and religious views that will influence people's decisions
• Offer guidelines on how to write sympathy notes - many people find they can't find the right words at times like these
• Provide a funeral checklist that features the many things that need to be done during these difficult times
• Highlight the advantages of 'green burial' services. If someone was ecologically minded in life their loved ones will want to honor this in the event of their death.
• Set up a forum where your site visitors can communicate - this can prove invaluable to people who are struggling with the practicalities of coping with death alongside the emotional aspects.
• Provide ideas for socializing or holding a wake after the funeral service.
• Get out clauses - As you would be aiming the site at a broad audience, be careful to include statements that the practices featured on site are not necessarily the views of the webmaster, nor are they included with the intention of offending anyone.

Depending on your personal beliefs death doesn't always mean an end to things. In fact, when it comes to commercial possibilities it can be a beginning. Tapping into the death market requires tact unless you are going all out to do the 'outrageous' thing. It is also good to keep in mind that the business need not be somber or depressing. In fact, the opposite approach, one which offers support and respectful feelings of uplift, celebration and positivity is one which many people would favor.

Jay Shapiro is a freelance writer based in the UK. Jay has a particular interest in the emotive aspects of the entrepreneur's character. "Alongside the nuts and bolts of business, the character of the person is often the ingredient responsible for success."

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