Interns, Facebook, and Otters | FFFW 227

DISCLAIMER: None of the F’s in FFFW stand for “facts.”

Y’all! I don’t know about you, but it’s been feeling like springtime to me. Last week I was shigering anytime I’d walk outside and this week I’ve been taking time to feel the sun. It’s crazy the difference a week can make!

As a reminder, this is the official ranking of seasons, with “1” being the best and then descending from there.

1) early fall

2) early summer

3) late spring

4) early spring

5) the rest of summer

6) the rest of spring

7) the rest of fall

8) winter

“The announcement that Facebook will delete live streams older than 30 days reveals a critical disconnect between platform policies and the reality of grief. Grief doesn’t follow a 30-day timeline. Our data shows 30% of funeral viewings happen after that 30-day window. For an average funeral home, that’s over 2,500 families annually who will seek comfort in a service recording only to find it gone. This should serve as a wake-up call for funeral professionals to invest in solutions where they maintain ownership and control of their content, rather than entrusting these precious memories to platforms with competing priorities.” – Shane White, CTO of MemoryShare

MemoryShare is here to help.

Funeral homes affected by these changes can schedule a call with MemoryShare to receive 3 months of unlimited streaming and recording. Their team will handle all training, transfer your existing videos, and provide a complimentary 20-minute training session for your staff. MemoryShare is committed to funeral homes and ensuring a smooth transition with zero disruption for the families you serve.

Click here to learn more and meet with a MemoryShare professional who will guide you through the process. Mention Disrupt/Connecting Directors to claim a bonus gift!

RED FLAGS FOR FUNERAL SUMMER INTERN APPLICATIONS

Bringing on a summer intern can be a great way to give the next generation a glimpse into the funeral profession. It can also be a great way to accidentally hire someone who thinks this is a spooky season job instead of a real career. Here are five red flags to watch out for when reviewing applications.

🚩 1. Their Cover Letter Starts With “I’m Obsessed With Death”

We love enthusiasm, but let’s keep it at a professional level. Passion for serving families? Great. Passion for lurking in cemeteries at midnight for fun? Maybe not.

🚩 2. Their Only Question in the Interview is “So, Can I Watch an Embalming?”

Let’s start with answering the phones first, okay? If they’re skipping straight to hands-on experience before even knowing where the bathroom is, we may have a problem.

🚩 3. They Show Up to the Interview Quoting The Addams Family

Yes, we all love Morticia. No, telling us “I love funerals. It’s like having a day dedicated just to me” is not the personality trait you think it is.

🚩 4. Their Definition of “Flexibility” is “I Have No Problem Working Alone… At Night… In the Morgue”

A willingness to work odd hours is great. A suspicious level of excitement about specifically being alone in the prep room at 2 AM? Hard pass.

🚩 5. Their Resume Includes “Extensive Experience with Halloween Haunted Houses”

Sorry, but jumping out of a coffin to scare teenagers is not the same as working in a funeral home. If they ask if they can “make the lighting more dramatic,” you’ve got your answer.

Final Thoughts

A good intern brings curiosity, professionalism, and a desire to learn. A bad intern brings up too many unsolved murder cases in casual conversation. Choose wisely.

Trivia

What day is typically the day with the least amount of deaths every year?

Choose the correct answer and you’ll see a raccoon. Get it wrong and you’ll see someone hurting themselves.

Answer Choices:

A) Feb 28

B) April 16

C) June 25

You Otter Be Proud

Here’s some good news going on in the profession.

1. I work in a job nobody wants and do it with my dad, it’s brought us closer than ever
2. People Magazine Covers Funeral Profession Story
3. Fifth-generation funeral director Jeff Monreal helps families grieve, celebrate loved ones

See you next week!

Facebook is Deleting Your Funeral Live Streams – Here’s How to Save Them

As of February 19, 2025, Facebook has implemented a policy change that affects all users who utilize Facebook Live, including funeral homes that stream services for remote attendees. Live videos will now be automatically deleted 30 days after their broadcast. This change underscores the importance of promptly managing and preserving your live-streamed content to continue serving families effectively.

Why This Matters to Funeral Homes

Live-streaming services have become an essential offering, enabling friends and family who cannot attend in person to participate virtually. With Facebook’s new policy, these meaningful recordings will no longer be accessible after 30 days unless proactive steps are taken. This could impact families who wish to revisit the service or share it with others who couldn’t attend live.

Recommended Actions

To ensure your live-streamed services remain available for families, consider the following options:

• Download Individual Live Videos: After your stream ends, download the video directly from your profile or page within 30 days.
• Bulk Download Past Live Videos: Utilize Facebook’s bulk download tool to save multiple videos simultaneously. This can be done through the “Download Your Information” feature on your profile or business page.
• Transfer Videos to Cloud Storage: Facebook allows direct transfers of your live videos to cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive, providing a secure backup and easy access.
• Request a Six-Month Deferment: If immediate downloading isn’t feasible, you can request a six-month extension before deletion occurs.To initiate this, open the notification from Facebook regarding video deletion, tap “Learn more,” and select “Postpone.” Instructions: about.fb.com
• Create Short Clips for Reels: Before downloading or transferring, consider creating short clips from your live videos to share as Reels. This not only preserves key moments but also aligns with Facebook’s emphasis on short-form, engaging content.

Next Steps

It’s crucial to act promptly to prevent the loss of valuable content. Establish a routine process for downloading or transferring live videos after each service. Communicate with families about the availability window of these recordings and offer assistance in preserving them.

At DISRUPT Media, we specialize in helping funeral homes navigate changes in digital platforms and enhance their online presence. If you need assistance adapting to this new policy or developing a comprehensive digital strategy, we’re here to help.

Contact us today. Most funeral home marketing looks like someone just gave up. That’s not us. We provide full creative marketing solutions…with the effort.