On February 6, Jennifer Hamlin from the Better Business Bureau, presented “Spot the Con – Training to Identify and Prevent Scams in the Funeral Industry” providing attendees with essential tools to identify and prevent scams targeting the funeral industry. This insightful webinar shed light on the most common fraudulent schemes and equipped attendees with actionable strategies to safeguard grieving families from financial and emotional exploitation.
Attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of prevalent scams, including prepaid funeral fraud, inclement weather scams, fake funeral home schemes, and bereavement scams. Real-life case studies illustrated how fraudsters manipulate grieving families, using tactics like high-pressure sales pitches, unsolicited offers, and caller ID spoofing. Participants left with a clear grasp of warning signs and red flags to watch for in their interactions with clients.
A key takeaway was the role funeral professionals play in preventing scams by proactively educating their families. Jessica shared best practices for informing families about potential fraud, including providing clear guidance on secure payment methods, verifying the legitimacy of funeral-related offers, and avoiding common pitfalls.
The webinar underscored the importance of reporting suspicious activities and leveraging industry resources to combat fraud. Attendees were introduced to BBB’s scam tracking tools and consumer protection resources, ensuring they can take swift action when encountering potential scams. Many funeral professionals expressed appreciation for the practical advice and actionable strategies they could immediately implement to protect their clients.
On February 20, nearly 900 funeral professionals joined Dr. Jason Troyer—a former psychology professor and noted grief expert—for his webinar, “Families Gone Wild: Diffusing Conflict in the Arrangement Room.” Dr. Troyer explored how turbulent family dynamics can emotionally impact funeral professionals, and he offered practical strategies to help staff navigate these challenging situations.
During his presentation, he stressed the importance of empathy—encouraging attendees to see things from the family's perspective, especially when dealing with sudden loss and unexpected financial burdens. He shared proactive tools for preventing conflict, such as engaging all family members in the conversation, identifying shared connections, and ensuring everyone has a chance to contribute. He also discussed tailoring expectations to fit each family’s unique circumstances.
In addition, Dr. Troyer examined common defense mechanisms, explaining their role in family interactions during arrangements and suggesting effective response strategies. He wrapped up the session by highlighting self-care practices as essential for building the resilience needed to handle stressful situations in the funeral arrangement process.