Why Presentation Matters: The Power of a Stand in Funeral Blanket Displays

In the funeral profession, we spend a lot of time talking about the products that create meaningful experiences for families, urns, caskets, keepsakes, personalization, and yes… blankets. But here’s the thing: how those products are presented can be just as impactful as the product itself.

I was recently listening to a conversation with Karl Weisenbeck, President of Funeral Home Gifts, and he made a point that hit me like a freight train of common sense. He compared a display stand for blankets to a razor handle. Think about it—Gillette isn’t really in the handle business. They’re in the blade business. But without the handle, good luck getting a clean shave.

The same principle applies to Tribute Blankets. You can have the most beautiful, custom-designed Tribute Blanket in the world, but if it’s folded in a corner, tossed on a chair, or lying over the back of a pew, it’s not creating the emotional impact it should.

A stand is the handle that makes the product work the way it’s meant to.

The Unsung Hero of Blanket Displays

Karl will be the first to tell you: “We’re not in the stand business—we’re in the blanket business.” But the stand is what makes the blanket shine. When families walk into a service and see a full-size Tribute Blanket standing tall, level, and beautifully displayed, it immediately sets the tone.

It elevates the product from “a nice memorial” to a centerpiece of the service. It frames the memory of their loved one. It turns a product into a presentation.

The result? A more meaningful moment for the family… and yes, more reorders.

Designed to Work With the Way You Work

When you order a stand from Funeral Home Gifts, it comes in a few simple parts:

• Telescoping base – The foundation of the display, fully adjustable to fit different spaces.
• Crossbar – The main support for the blanket.
• Telescoping ends – These allow you to adjust the stand for both vertical and horizontal blankets.
• Clips – The small but mighty heroes that hold the blanket securely in place.

The setup is intentionally simple because at a funeral home, speed and ease matter. You’ve got a lot happening behind the scenes before a visitation or service. The last thing anyone wants is to wrestle with complicated display equipment.

Set the base height where you want it. Adjust the crossbar with the thumb screw and pin. Snap the spring-loaded buttons into place. Clip the blanket across the top, evenly spaced, and you’ve got a clean, professional presentation that looks like it was designed by an event team.

Vertical or Horizontal: It Works Either Way

Here’s something Karl pointed out that’s easy to overlook: not all blankets are displayed the same way.

Most of the blankets Funeral Home Gifts creates are vertical, but the stand is built to handle both vertical and horizontal configurations without any extra tools or parts.

This flexibility matters. Not every chapel, arrangement room, or visitation space is laid out the same. Being able to adapt quickly without rigging something together is a game-changer.

Pro Tips for a Flawless Display

Karl gave some practical advice from years of seeing how these displays work in real-world funeral home settings:

• Start from one side and work across. If you’re right-handed, start on the right. If left-handed, start on the left. It’s a simple way to make sure the blanket stays straight and even.
• Space your clips evenly. You’ll get six clips with your stand. Sometimes four is enough, but for horizontal blankets, use all six. It gives you a cleaner, tighter presentation.
• Check your height and level. Step back and take a look. A slight adjustment to the tripod base or thumb screw can make a big visual difference.
• Go higher than you think. Many directors make the mistake of keeping the stand too low. Extending it gives the blanket more presence in the room—and that presence equals impact.

Presentation Drives Emotion (and Revenue)

Let’s be honest, most families don’t walk into a funeral home and think, “Wow, what a great stand!” But they do feel the emotion of a well-presented tribute.

A blanket hanging clean and level with the loved one’s face or memory at eye level pulls people in. It becomes the photo wall of the room. It’s what guests remember, it’s where people take photos, and it’s often what sparks conversations.

That emotion matters. And that emotion drives reorders.

Karl said it best: “How you present the blanket and how it’s displayed really makes an impact both to the family and those viewing it as well as in reorders.”

A stand turns your Tribute Blanket from a product to a visual moment. And in funeral service, moments are everything.

Not Just for Services

While the most obvious use for these stands is during viewings, visitations, and services, they also shine in other settings:

• Arrangement rooms — Displaying a sample blanket next to your personalization options can plant the seed early.
• Lobbies and showrooms — A rotating display of designs keeps personalization visible.
• Community events and open houses — Use the Tribute Blanket as part of your storytelling.

Remember, you’re not just selling a product. You’re showcasing a way to remember.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t the sexiest topic in the world. It’s not new tech or a groundbreaking marketing strategy. But it’s one of those little things that make a big difference.

A stand is the unsung hero behind every beautifully presented Tribute Blanket. It’s a small investment that delivers a huge emotional—and business—return.

You wouldn’t hand someone a razor blade without a handle. So why present a blanket without a stand? If you’re already offering tribute blankets to families, make sure you’re presenting them in a way that amplifies their impact and generates more sales. That’s where the real magic happens.

Your Voice Matters: NFDA Members Set to Influence National Policy at 2025 Advocacy Summit

Brookfield, Wis. – With the 119th Congress beginning its two-year session in early-January, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is calling on members to unite in Washington, D.C., for the 2025 Advocacy Summit. Taking place April 9-11, 2025, at the historic Mayflower Hotel, this exclusive event for NFDA members offers a critical opportunity to re-engage with national leaders who have served our country for years and build relationships with newly elected leaders who have yet to learn how their work has a direct impact on the funeral service profession and grieving families.

Advocacy in Action

The NFDA Advocacy Summit is more than just a gathering – it’s a powerful opportunity to ensure that the voice of the funeral service profession is heard at the highest levels of government. During last year’s Summit, attendees participated in nearly 200 meetings with Members of Congress or their staff, making a tangible impact on legislative understanding and action.

“NFDA is always looking out for its members and their interests,” said NFDA President Chris Robinson, CFSP, CCO. “We have a full-time lobbyist in Washington who advocates for your interests every day on Capitol Hill, but there’s no substitute for visiting the offices of Members of Congress all at once to explain our stance on issues and share our personal stories as funeral directors on the front lines helping families through difficult times. These stories resonate with lawmakers and help them understand how their decisions directly affect our ability to serve grieving families and communities.”

Navigating a New Legislative Landscape

With the new session of Congress, a fresh legislative agenda will take shape. Lesley Witter, MPA, CAE, NFDA Senior Vice President of Advocacy, emphasized the importance of early engagement: “The legislative slate is wiped clean in January. We’ll be actively engaged and helping to shape legislation and regulation. We will brief members on the key legislation and regulations that will impact the funeral service profession; it’s these issues that NFDA members will be advocating for during the Advocacy Summit.”

Additionally, attendees will have an opportunity to speak with their elected officials about other critical issues such as the financial impact that the funeral service profession has on the nation and the individual states from which they hail, the ongoing reviews of formaldehyde by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Funeral Rule by the Federal Trade Commission, and much more.

A Rich Program of Activities

The Advocacy Summit will include all the elements NFDA members have come to expect and enjoy, including a Welcome Reception, an issues briefing, and optional activities like a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and a tour of Washington, D.C.

The heart of the Summit remains the day that NFDA members will spend on Capitol Hill meeting with federal elected officials. During these critical meetings, NFDA members will take a proactive approach to advancing legislation that affects funeral service, small business and bereaved families.

“Legislators need to hear from you directly,” emphasized Witter. “They need to understand how their decisions affect not just your profession and business, but the grieving families you serve. The Advocacy Summit is your chance to tell those stories and influence the future of funeral service.”

Real Voices, Real Impact

Past participants have described the Advocacy Summit as transformative. “My favorite part was being able to go to the Capitol and advocate for the profession I love so much,” said one 2024 Advocacy Summit participant. “Being able to be a voice for all of us in this field was something that I will hold near to my heart. It is something that I am passionate about and being able to advocate for change is a great feeling.”

“I had the absolute best experience participating in this event,” noted another 2024 Summit participant. “The best part was being able to talk to staff on Capitol Hill about things that are important to me as a funeral director. I can’t wait for next year!”

Maximizing the Capitol Hill Experience

To help attendees make the most of their time on Capitol Hill, NFDA has again partnered with Advocacy Associates. This experienced firm will schedule meetings with federal legislators and staff, ensuring each attendee’s voice is heard by those who can make a difference.

Between meetings, attendees can visit the NFDA Welcome Room at the Capitol Hill Club, a comfortable space to relax, enjoy refreshments and debrief with fellow members. NFDA staff and board members will be on hand to offer support and answer questions.

NFDA Members Encouraged to Register Early

NFDA members can save when they register by the March 7, 2025, early-bird deadline. Registering by March 7, 2025, will also give NFDA and Advocacy Associates the lead time needed to request and schedule Congressional meetings for Summit participants. To ensure the Advocacy Summit addresses the critical legislative and regulatory issues that impact NFDA members, participation is limited to association members, their families and state association staff. Online registration closes March 31, 2025.

Attendees must make their hotel reservations at the Mayflower Hotel by March 7, 2025, to lock in the exclusive Advocacy Summit rate of $374 per night plus fees and taxes. The Advocacy Summit room block will fill up quickly – those who are planning to participate in the Summit should book their room as soon as possible.

NFDA members should visit NFDA.org/AdvocacySummit for the latest information about the Advocacy Summit, registration and booking hotel accommodations at the Mayflower Hotel. Information and registration are also available by calling NFDA 800-228-6332 (262-789-1880).

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.

TerraCon 2024: What You May Have Missed and Why It Matters

More than 250 individuals gathered in Tacoma, Washington — with another 200 joining online — on February 21 and 22, 2024 for TerraCon 2024, the first convention to explore all things natural organic reduction (NOR), or, as the gracious hosts, Return Home, have dubbed it, Terramation. If you weren’t able to attend, you missed something extraordinary.

It was different

First of all, Terracon didn’t feel like a deathcare convention. Yes, there were vendors, attendees, and speakers, and they were all connected in one way or another to the deathcare community. And, of course, the topics that were included in the two-day agenda were all related to deathcare or, more specifically, NOR. The content was educational and inspiring, and most of those in attendance left with more knowledge than they had when they arrived.

In some ways, that’s where the similarities ended, though. While there were several folks who would look right at home in a “traditional” funeral home, there were plenty of others with gauged earlobes, bright-colored hair, and facial piercings — and everyone was welcomed warmly and equally. Speakers included professional funeral directors, organization leaders, and subject matter experts, of course, but also politicians and (gasp!) family members who had selected NOR for a loved one. And while there was plenty of applause, there were also a fair share of standing ovations and honest-to-goodness heartfelt tears being shed … even by men.

People were at Terracon because they wanted to be there; they didn’t come for the free drinks or continuing education credits or to see the sights of Tacoma in February. Excited people carried on  animated conversations about all things NOR — even at breakfast and dinner. They knew they were part of something new, and special, and, if you will, groundbreaking.

Terracon didn’t feel like a convention. It felt like a movement.

Camaraderie, not competition

Terracon was perfect for anyone who was even the least bit interested in the process of Terramation, even if it wasn’t yet available where they lived. In fact, some of the most anticipated and appreciated presentations, like the one provided by Oregon State Representative Pam Marsh, detailed the exact steps for developing and implementing NOR legislation. The enthusiasm for NOR was palpable.

Although Terracon was hosted by Return Home, the Auburn, Washington-based Terramation provider, other NOR and green burial providers — who might seem like “competitors” — participated in Terracon as presenters, vendors, and attendees. For example, Seth Viddal and The Natural Funeral team from Colorado and former Green Burial Council president Brian Flowers offered powerful messages of support. And, even though families can do pretty much anything with the soil created from the NOR process, Terracon even welcomed a team of talented cemetery landscape architects to encourage permanent memorialization.

Pablo Metz, founder of Meine Erde, an NOR provider in Germany, traveled to Terracon to share how his company overcame obstacles to organization — one being potential objections from the Catholic Church, which, surprisingly, never materialized. Attendees even flew in from France, Belgium, and a host of other areas just to learn how to make NOR available to the families they serve. 

Most importantly, perhaps, were the number of mortuary school students who attended either in person or virtually. As the next generation of funeral professionals, their engagement and insightful questions demonstrated their enthusiasm for providing new or alternative methods of disposition should serve as confirmation that the future of deathcare is in good hands.

From the heart

One of the more unusual aspects of Terracon was the emotional undertone that ran throughout every presentation and every interaction. Sure, deathcare is a profession fraught with compassion fatigue-inducing emotion; some folks may even greatly appreciate the fact that conventions are usually an emotion-free escape from the reality of their careers.

But at Terracon, no one was afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves, and feelings were unashamedly on display as people shared their personal NOR experiences. Attendees heard stories from mothers who had chosen NOR for their sons, wives who visited their husbands’ vessels during their lunch breaks, and a skeptical funeral home/town mayor who escorted a 19-year-old firefighter (and family friend) to Return Home in Washington to personally oversee her laying-in process.

There were even some surprising revelations, like the statement from a preneed provider that the majority of clients to whom he has been selling NOR arrangements and policies were younger than 30 years old, with the most recent client being a perfectly healthy 20-year-old from Utah who set up a 10-year payment plan. Or the panel that consisted of a rabbi, a Buddhist, and an evangelical pastor (and no, this is not a “walked into a bar” joke) who shared the reasons why they believe NOR aligns with the beliefs and customs of  religions and cultures.

Get your surfboard

It’s been more than a month since Terracon, and everyone has returned to their respective homes and families and jobs. Hopefully, though, what was sparked at Terracon will become a full-blown metaphorical wildfire. On the second day of the convention, one panelist wisely predicted that “what started as a trickle will become a wave,” and another turned to the crowd to say, “Get your surfboards out and let’s go.”

Natural organic reduction is coming, and probably sooner than later. As soon as Gov. John Carney signs the Senate-and-House-approved legislation on his desk, Delaware will become the eighth state to legalize Terramation. More than a dozen other states are considering the same type of laws. More mainstream media outlets are sharing the Terramation process with their viewers and readers, and more families are interested in learning more. So, the question is, do you have your surfboard? The NOR wave is headed your way.