The 5 Biggest Social Media Mistakes Funeral Homes Are Making Right Now

Let me be blunt: most funeral homes are still treating social media like it’s a checkbox. Post a grief quote, wish everyone a Merry Christmas, maybe toss in a link to a preplanning page, and call it a day.

But if that’s your strategy, you’re not marketing. You’re blending in. And in 2025, invisibility is the kiss of death for your business.

Here are the five biggest mistakes I see funeral homes making on social media every single day, and what you should be doing instead. 

Mistake #1: Posting Like a Robot, Not a Human

Let’s talk about the grief quote graveyard. You’ve seen them: pastel background, cursive font, some Hallmark-style quote from Pinterest.

It’s not that grief isn’t important. It is. But auto-scheduling cheap, lifeless content from some plug-and-play software isn’t helping you connect. It’s cheap noise. And your audience knows it.

Fact: Posts with real human faces get 38% more engagement on Facebook than those without. (Source: Social Media Examiner)

People want people. They want to see the director who helped their family. They want to hear the voice of the person who explained cremation in a way that finally made sense. You don’t need a marketing degree, you need to show up like a real human.

Mistake #2: Confusing Presence with Performance

Just because you have a Facebook page doesn’t mean you have a strategy.

Most funeral homes post once a week and think, “Cool, we’re online.” But if your post is only reaching 3% of your followers and no one’s engaging with it, what’s the point?

Stat Check: The average organic Facebook reach in 2024 is 2.2% of your total followers. If you have 1,000 followers, only 22 people are seeing that post. (Source: Hootsuite)

Social media isn’t a billboard. It’s not a one-way broadcast. It’s a conversation. If you’re not starting meaningful ones, your competitors will.

Mistake #3: Avoiding the Camera Like It’s a Casket

Funeral pros love to say, “We’re not comfortable on camera.” And I get it. You didn’t go into this profession to be an influencer.

But here’s the deal: video is dominating Facebook. And it’s not the polished stuff that wins. It’s the raw, unfiltered, behind-the-scenes moments. It’s a 30-second clip of you explaining how your removal team operates with dignity. It’s a quick tour of your chapel with your voice walking viewers through.

Numbers Don’t Lie: Facebook video posts see 135% greater organic reach than photo posts. (Source: Social Insider)

You don’t need a production crew. You need your phone and the courage to hit record. The more real you are, the more trust you build.

Mistake #4: Marketing Like It’s 1998

I still see funeral homes dropping 80% of their marketing budget into yellow pages, newspaper ads, and church bulletins. Meanwhile, they tell me, “Social media just doesn’t work for us.”

Of course it doesn’t — you’re not using it right.

Read This Twice: 65% of adults aged 50+ are on Facebook, and they spend an average of 1.5 hours a day on it. (Source: Pew Research, Datareportal)

This is your demo. These are your buyers. They’re not looking in the newspaper. They’re scrolling while drinking coffee, waiting at the doctor’s office, and sitting in the church parking lot.

If you’re not showing up in that feed consistently and meaningfully, you don’t exist to them.

Mistake #5: Not Starting with a Strategy

This might be the biggest one of all: funeral homes jump into social media with no strategy at all. No plan. No roadmap. Just vibes.

And when there’s no strategy, there’s no consistency. When there’s no consistency, there’s no momentum. And when there’s no momentum, the execution falls apart.

Funeral directors often tell me, “We don’t know what to post.” That’s not because you lack content — it’s because you lack a plan.

Here’s the deal: A clear strategy answers the big questions: What are we saying? Who are we saying it to? When and where are we showing up? And how do we measure if it’s working?

Without this foundation, you’re just guessing. And guesswork doesn’t grow trust or generate leads.

At DISRUPT Media, strategy is what we lead with. We build content calendars, target audience profiles, platform-specific playbooks, and then we execute.

If you want execution that actually works, you have to start with strategy.

At DISRUPT Media, we work with hundreds of funeral homes across North America. We’ve seen what works and what flops.

If your social media doesn’t:

• Feel real
• Start conversations
• Show your people
• Educate or entertain
• Convert viewers to leads

…then it’s just noise.

This profession is built on trust. Social media, done right, lets you scale that trust 24/7 in your community. But only if you show up like a human, not a stock image.

Best known beats best kept secret.

Every. Single. Time.

My name is Ryan Thogmartin. My team and I would love to help your funeral home or cemetery win on social media. We might be the right fit for you, or, we might not be, but there is only one way to find out. Let’s schedule a 30-minute demo and see.

CRON Specialties Launches Revolutionary Funeral Product Inspired by Social Media Frustration

Moorhead, MN:  A casual social media post in 2018 sparked a breakthrough in funeral service innovation. When a funeral director voiced her dissatisfaction with traditional plastic garments—citing leaks, bulkiness, and the disruptive crinkling sound they made when touched, seasoned embalmer Ron Gresham took notice. That moment of online frustration led to the creation of BodyGuard, a heat-shrinkable protective garment now transforming embalming practices worldwide.

Developed and perfected over seven years, the BodyGuard by CRON Specialties is crafted from durable 6 mil polyethylene plastic. Unlike conventional unionalls, the BodyGuard can be heat-shrunk to conform tightly to the body using a standard heat gun, eliminating excess bulk and minimizing noise. It’s cremation-safe and produces fewer chemical emissions than traditional alternatives.

Gresham, who has handled thousands of challenging cases—from trauma victims to advanced decomposition—recognized the need for a more adaptable solution. After extensive field testing through his trade embalming service, he launched CRON Specialties in May 2025. The response has been overwhelming, with orders pouring in from across the globe.

In response to requests from fellow funeral directors, Gresham has expanded the BodyGuard line to include heat-shrinkable pants, sleeves, and stockings, allowing targeted coverage for specific areas such as limbs. These additions further enhance the product’s versatility and ease of use.

“I’m not done yet,” Gresham shared. “There are more ideas in the pipeline to support embalmers and funeral professionals. This is just the beginning.”

About CRON Specialties:  CRON Specialties, based in Moorhead, MN, was founded to solve a long-standing issue in funeral care: the lack of a durable, leak-resistant, and low-profile garment for decedents. After years of development, the company introduced the BodyGuard—a heat-shrinkable unionall designed to meet the practical needs of embalmers and funeral directors worldwide.  To explore the BodyGuard and other innovative products from CRON Specialties, visit CRONspec.com.

April 4, 2025

Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging time, and navigating the funeral process can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s your first time making funeral arrangements or you’re unsure about certain aspects of the process, it’s natural to have many questions. Understanding the typical procedures and options available can help ease the burden during this difficult time. Here are some of the most frequently asked funeral questions and their answers to guide you through the process. 1. What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service? A funeral typically involves a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present, either before or during burial or cremation. It often includes a viewing or wake, where family and friends can pay their respects. A memorial service , on the other hand, takes place after the body has been buried or cremated and does not involve the presence of the body. Memorial services may be held in various settings, such as homes, churches, or other venues, and can be personalized to reflect the life of the deceased. 2. What is embalming, and is it required? Embalming is a process that involves preserving the body to delay decomposition, usually for viewing purposes. It is not legally required in most places but may be necessary if the body is to be displayed at a public service or transported over long distances. In cases where there will be no viewing, embalming is typically not needed. However, certain states or countries may have regulations about embalming or the timing of burial. It’s important to check with the funeral home to determine what’s required in your area. 3. How much does a funeral cost? The cost of a funeral can vary greatly depending on factors like location, the type of service, and the funeral home you choose. There are options to help manage funeral expenses, such as cremation (which can be less expensive than burial), choosing a less elaborate service, or purchasing a funeral plan in advance. 4. What is cremation, and how does it differ from burial? Cremation involves the process of reducing the body to ashes. Many people choose cremation for its simplicity, lower cost, and flexibility in how the ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred. Some people opt for a cremation memorial service, where the ashes are present but there is no body. Burial , on the other hand, involves placing the body in a casket and then burying it in a cemetery. This option may include the purchase of a grave plot, headstone, and other related services. The choice between cremation and burial depends on personal, cultural, and religious preferences. 5. What are the steps in planning a funeral? Planning a funeral typically involves the following steps: Notify family and friends : Reach out to close family and friends and inform them of the passing. Choose a funeral home : Select a funeral home to help with arrangements, including embalming (if applicable), obtaining necessary permits, and coordinating transportation. Select the type of service : Decide on whether you want a funeral, memorial, or graveside service. You’ll also need to choose the location and any religious or cultural elements to incorporate. Choose a casket or urn : Select a casket for burial or an urn for cremation. There are many styles and price ranges to choose from. Plan the ceremony : Work with the funeral director to plan the service, including music, readings, eulogies, and floral arrangements. Arrange for transportation : The funeral home will coordinate the transportation of the body to the service and burial or cremation site. 6. Should I pre-plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral is a personal choice. Many people choose to pre-plan to relieve their loved ones of the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief. Pre-planning allows you to specify your wishes for the service, casket, burial, and other aspects of the funeral, ensuring your desires are respected. Additionally, pre-paying for a funeral can help protect your family from rising costs in the future. However, it’s important to carefully consider pre-planning options, as funeral costs can vary, and you’ll want to ensure that the plan is flexible and fully understood by the family members who will carry out your wishes. 7. What are the options for scattering ashes? If you choose cremation, there are many options for what to do with the ashes: Scattering : Many people choose to scatter the ashes in a location that had significance to the deceased, such as a favorite park, beach, or nature spot. Keepsake urns : Some families choose to keep a portion of the ashes in a special urn or piece of jewelry. Interment : Ashes can be interred in a family plot or at a cemetery, either in a niche or within a memorial garden. Other creative options : There are many creative options for commemorating the deceased, including turning ashes into diamonds or using them to create a memorial reef. 8. What is a death certificate, and why is it important? A death certificate is an official document issued by a governmental authority that confirms the death of a person. It is essential for handling legal and financial matters, such as settling the deceased’s estate, claiming life insurance, and closing accounts. The funeral home typically assists in obtaining several copies of the death certificate. 9. Can I personalize a funeral service? Absolutely! Many families choose to personalize the funeral service to reflect the deceased’s personality, passions, or hobbies. You can incorporate meaningful music, photos, special readings, or even display personal items that were important to the deceased. The funeral director can help guide you through creative options for personalization. 10. What should I do if I can’t attend the funeral? If you’re unable to attend the funeral in person, consider sending flowers, a sympathy card, or making a charitable donation in the deceased’s honor. If the family holds a memorial service, they may also offer the option to participate virtually, such as through a livestream. It’s always thoughtful to express your condolences in any way possible. Funeral planning can be complex, but understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions can help make the process easier to navigate. Whether you are arranging a funeral for a loved one or pre-planning your own, it’s important to take the time to make informed decisions. By doing so, you can create a meaningful, respectful ceremony that honors the life and memory of the deceased, while providing comfort to those who are grieving.

December 23, 2024

Grief is a journey that no one wants to traverse, yet it is a path many will find themselves on when a loved one passes away. As we contemplate the profound impact of loss, it’s vital to recognize how we can reach out and support our friends during their times of sorrow. Understanding our role can foster connection and compassion, especially in a world filled with emotional challenges. When we think about navigating this sensitive subject, finding the right balance between offering support and respecting personal space is essential, particularly as families often seek services from adjacent resources, such as Rochester, NY funeral homes. Understanding Grief and Its Phases Before we can effectively support our grieving friends, we should take time to understand the grieving process itself. Grief is not linear and encompasses various emotions and phases: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The upheaval following a loss can bring about tumultuous feelings, and it’s important to remember that your friend may oscillate between these stages throughout their journey. A critical way that we can help is by being present. Sometimes, your friend may need a listening ear more than they need advice. Allowing them the space to express their thoughts and feelings without judgment can be incredibly beneficial. It may be helpful to encourage them to share funny or touching memories they have of their loved one, a practice that can provide moments of solace amidst the turmoil. Offering Practical Support Helping a friend through grief also means offering practical assistance. Grieving can be an exhausting and overwhelming experience, leaving little energy for everyday tasks. Offer to help with simple chores—cooking meals, running errands, or helping keep things organized at home. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there, offering to shoulder some of life’s burdens, can alleviate the stress your friend is feeling. In addition to offering tangible help, suggesting options from local services can also ease the burden. For instance, if your friend needs support in navigating funeral logistics, it’s wise to mention reputable funeral homes, that they could consider, like Rochester Cremation. Knowing that compassionate professionals are available can bring reassurance and peace to their difficult journey. Creating a Comfortable Environment for Healing When it comes to helping a grieving friend, creating an environment that allows for open conversation is critical. While checking in on them is appreciated, remember to approach them sensitively. Each day might feel different for your friend, so the time you spend together should evolve based on their needs and feelings. Inviting your friend out for a walk—some fresh air can aid in emotional healing—might help distract them from their grief, although it’s essential not to force social interaction if they seem disinterested. The simplest gestures, like a text message to let them know you’re thinking of them, can go a long way, even if they don’t respond immediately. Respecting Boundaries and Understanding Signs of Need While offering support, it’s just as vital to acknowledge when to step back. Everyone’s process is unique, and not everyone is comfortable discussing their grief openly. Pay attention to their cues; if they seem withdrawn or if they indicate a desire for solitude, honor that choice. Encourage professional support if needed. Whether it’s suggesting a grief counselor or attending a support group together, prioritizing their mental health by finding professional help can be a game changer. Informing them about available local resources shows that you care and are looking out for their well-being. The road following a loss is fraught with challenges. Yet, knowing we can play a role in transforming a friend’s grief reality can inspire hope. In conclusion, as we support our friends during these heartbreaking times, let’s embrace compassion and understanding, remembering our larger community as we navigate the journey together. If you have questions regarding resources or services through Rochester, NY funeral homes, reach out for help. The existence of compassionate professionals at places like Rochester Cremation highlights that support is always within reach.

Social media plays an increasingly important role in people’s daily lives. The following social media platforms are great for sharing milestone announcements: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. A variety of milestones can be celebrated online, such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, or births. Is it not also possible to have memorials along with funerals
? Should death be announced or commemorated digitally? Henrietta, NY cremation services
can be advertised using social media when used correctly and can be helpful tips for anyone.

Attempt To Make It Personal

You should contact your loved ones by phone or in person as soon as possible. If you have lost a mother, son, or significant other, it is insensitive to search for information online about them. Make sure to check with the close family and friends of the deceased before posting anything on social media.

Do It At The Right Time

Within 24 hours of a loss, shock often ensues. Social media should be used to announce a death. It is possible for confusion and panic to result from too-soon posts. The death will be announced on Facebook and Twitter to family and friends.

Be Gentle

Those who manage their social media accounts on mobile devices may read their posts more frequently. It can be very difficult to hear about the death of an important friend during a work meeting, a wedding, or a high school final. Good news can be delayed courtesy of notifying readers. By reading more, you will experience less shock. It is possible for your readers to become aware of death if you publish information about it on social media before it is published in your article. An advance warning can help you prepare for death news. If you want to convey your sympathy for a loss or death, you must be careful not to offend anyone with your wording.

Decide If It’s Necessary

Social media users who are 18 years old or older should post death announcements. It is possible to spread the word through social media and Twitter. The number of people who have online friends is higher than the number of people who have in-person friends. Is it possible for unknown individuals to access public posts? The information may need to be posted online in order to ensure everyone is informed, but you should carefully consider whether this is the most effective and safest method.

When a death announcement is made, social media should be considered. Be sure that what you’re about to publish is accurate before publishing it to a friend, relative, or colleague. By using a digital memorial, you can announce someone’s passing tactfully. Please let us know if you need assistance with Henrietta, NY cremation services. Our team is here to help you plan a cremation
or create something special for a loved one. For more information, please feel free to contact us so we can help you work out all the details of your services.

Over the years we’ve all become more friendly with social media, whether we’re texting our family and friends or whether or not we are adding a smiley face to the post of our latest grandchild playing a sport, and we share it on all our outlets too, because you know, we are proud!

Almost to a person, Facebook has now become where grandparents live and thrive, while children have jumped to Instagram and then over to TikTok, you’d be surprised to know that seniors are everywhere!

Statistics show that “55- to 65-year-olds make up 7.6% of Facebook’s user base, while those aged 65 and above represent just 6%” according to recent

. That’s as of approximately 250,000,000 Facebook

projected in 2024.

Think about your senior loved ones on Facebook — thanks to your encouragement, they

often have an important daily presence on at least Facebook, with very few on Twitter and a few more on Instagram.

Because Facebook gives you a chance to see photo collections, you are likely to enjoy sharing your photos or at least reviewing and clicking a response on the posts of your children and grandchildren. Particularly when seniors are geographically distant from their family can they enjoy your posted photo albums of baseball games, birthday celebrations, or other important and ceremonial occasions.

But, one day something happens, and the senior is no longer alive. Do you know how to get into the computer of your beloved senior to memorialize their Facebook page? Do you know what their wishes for deleting it immediately or delaying that by a few months to allow time for you to put a single notice up announcing their passing?

Are you aware that Facebook has a memorialization

?  There’s a specific

you have to accomplish to make that person’s account a Memorial account. Have you designated someone to address all of your web presence? Do you know who you want going through your old e-mails and or online photo albums? We never think about these things when we are feeling good, but that is always the perfect time to think of them,

Add to the fact that frequently we all have more than one social media presence: Facebook, Messenger, Skype, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and then there are the e-mail addresses, texts with family and friends to disengage, etc. It’s important to alert others through a mass mailing that your loved one has passed away or simply close the account, depending on your mutual wishes.

The eeriest feeling can happen, though, when you have forgotten to appoint someone to do this for you before you need it and then a photo memory pops up in your feed, reminding you that “today” is the birthday of your friend or family member. It can be downright off-putting, sorry to say, to see the happy, smiling face of your loved one staring back at you as though they were still here.

And as long as they are no longer here, it really is bet to take the straight-on approach and get that information published on the various Internet platforms where it will help the grieving process and acceptance of their passing. It won’t take more than 30 minutes to complete the process but you either must designate a successor to the account or shut it down as you start to leave active use of the computer, preparing to leave the online world just as you found it to be used.

Good luck and if you have any questions about what to do or how to do it, please give us a call and we can walk you through the steps.

It’s been almost 100 years since Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Bill into law in 1935.  And, contrary to what most people believe, there was a “Lump Sum Death Benefit” (LSDB)  applied to that bill that took effect at that time.  However, the original LSDB was discontinued in 1939 at a time when the maximum payment was $315. . . which you can see was more than today’s standard (and maximum) $255 benefit.  The average Lump Sum Benefit in 1939, however, was approximately $97.

The Lump Sum Death Benefit was reinstated in 1954, but with the maximum benefits capped at $255.  There have been other minor changes to the law since that time, but the maximum benefit has remained capped at $255.

That may all change if Senate Bill #5178 introduced by Senator Peter Welch of Vermont on September 25, 2024, makes its way into becoming a law of the land.  The bill, co-authored by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, is titled “A bill to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to update the amount of Social Security lump sum death payments and index lump sum death payments to inflation”.   You can follow the bill from this website.

This article from CNBC gives us some more information on the proposed legislation.  In it, bill author Senator Welch makes these statements:

• “The change is aimed at helping to alleviate the financial burden for families following the loss of a loved one”
• “Funeral costs should be the last thing on the minds of grieving families when they lose a loved one”
• “. . .because benefits designed to help folks afford funeral expenses haven’t kept pace with inflation, the cost of burying a loved one has become top of mind for many mourning families”

The CNBC article also tells us that the terms of the bill call for a $2,900 death benefit that would start as early as 2025.  That amount would then be indexed for inflation similar to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

The history of Social Security

The history of the Social Security Lump-Sum Death Benefit

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  At first this looks like a boon for funeral homes and families where they would have more money to take care of Death Care expenses.  However, before this bill becomes law there are plenty of hoops to pass through, including wondering how it would be funded by the United States Government.

And like many consumers will do, I just Googled “Cremation costs in Minneapolis”, which is the nearest large city to my residence.  Google told me that the costs would be between $1,875 to $2,995.  I’m guessing that upon examination that those prices would be for some variant of what I would call a Direct Cremation with No Services (DCNS).

What worries me some, and I can see this happening because those quoted cremation cost service dollar numbers are less than the proposed Social Security benefits according to S.5178, is that we would see a proliferation of television or streaming advertisements that would announce from companies that DCNS services would be done at “no cost to the consumer”.  The catch, of course, is that those services would be done with the thought process that the client family would sign the lump-sum death benefit over to the provider. . . .and with the benefit indexed for inflation, this business practice could well continue.

So, at first thought without doing a complete study of the situation, I’m not so sure that this would be a great idea for traditional funeral homes with a high cost of overhead at this time nor would competition advertising those practices be good for traditional funeral homes.  From my point of view, I’m guessing that revenues per service, in total, would head downward because of this type of practice.

On the other hand, looking at it from a consumer’s perspective, it is an additional immediate help of more than $2,600 in benefit than is received at this time.  It’s hard to argue that would not be a good thing for a consumer.

It’s notable that these senators want to help citizens pay off the costs of death care.  However, it is also notable that the bill was entered in September of an election year and that it can be used as a populist benefit but potentially never get pushed through the Senate once the election is over.  It’s difficult to know the exact intent of why it was put into play at this time. . . .

Final Thoughts:  I’ve been fortunate that I’ve had a few friends who have served as United States Congressmen and/or United States Senators.  One of them who I still see from time to time is former U.S. Congressman Vin Weber of Minnesota.  (Vin Weber bio)

I can remember having talks with Congressman Weber in the 1980’s or 1990’s about Social Security and the SS LSDB.  What I vividly remember from those talks is how he told me that Social Security was an incredible insightful program began in the 1930’s with one major flaw  —  that flaw was the actuarial tables at that time never “correctly” took into consideration how long we would live. . . . that mistake has flawed Social Security almost since its inception.

According to Google AI, life expectancy for United States men in 1935 was 61.7 years of age and benefits from Social Security did not start until age 65.  Life expectancy for women at the time was 65. . . So, from those age estimates you can see that most citizens would never live long enough to receive benefits and even if you got to the benefit age, you did not collect benefits for very long.

Life expectancy today is 77 years for men and 80 years for women and the basic age of early benefits has been lowered to 62.  i.e. most people now live to collect the benefits and actually collect benefits for a very long time.

According to then Congressman Weber, it has been this actuarial mis-calculation, in addition to benefits added to the program that were never part of the original calculations, that has brought on many of the problems with the deteriorating Social Security benefit system.

More news from the world of Death Care:

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

3 Senators Are Finally Addressing the 70-Year-Old $255 Social Security Death Benefit

Deathcare may be a traditional profession that’s said to be slow to change, but it’s nothing compared to the decrepit pace of the Social Security death benefit. The $255 lump-sum amount that was instituted in 1954 has not budged despite rising funeral costs. Adjusted for inflation, that $255 should be around $2,900 — and that’s exactly the amount some senators hope to begin awarding if their new bill passes.

Keeping pace

Last week, Vermont Senator Peter Welch introduced the Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act, a bill that would raise the lump-sum death benefit to $2,900 to reflect today’s cost of living. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren co-sponsored the bill.

“Funeral costs should be the last thing on the minds of grieving families when they lose a loved one,” Welch said, according to one NBC outlet. “But because benefits designed to help folks afford funeral expenses haven’t kept pace with inflation, the cost of burying a loved one has become top of mind for many mourning families.”

When the $255 amount was set in 1954, the average cost of a funeral was roughly $700, so the $255 payment to a qualified spouse or child made a fairly significant dent in the price. However, as prices steadily increased over the next seven decades, $255 made less and less of an impact.

Other Social Security benefits have done a better job of keeping up with the times. The cost of living benefit, for example, has used the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers to “ensure the benefit captures true fiscal realities,” according to the Act’s one-pager, which proposes this index be used to incrementally increase the death benefit as well.

Although the Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act is endorsed by Social Security Works, a nonprofit that lobbies for Social Security reform. 

Historically low

According to the Social Security Administration’s historian, the lump-sum death benefit was introduced in 1935 and awarded survivors 3.5% of the deceased’s eligible earnings, which were capped at $3,000. In 1939, the average lump-sum payout was $96.

Monthly survivor benefit payments were implemented in 1940, so the earnings-based lump-sum benefit was discontinued. It was replaced by a payment calculated as six times the deceased’s monthly Social Security retirement benefit. In 1940, the lump-sum benefit ranged from $63 to $273. A 1950 amendment reduced the calculation from six times the retirement benefit to three times, resulting in an average payout of $147. 

Finally, in 1954, the $255 lump-sum amount was set as a maximum payout, although some workers could receive less if they earned less in retirement payments. A 1981 amendment basically set the benefit at $255 or three times the average retirement benefit, whichever is less, which meant virtually every eligible worker would receive the lesser $255.

If the Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act passes, it would be enacted sometime in 2025. 

Social Connection and Recovery

Virtual Funeral Professionals Peer Support Meeting in September

WHEELING, IL— Since 1989, September is designated as Recovery Month to raise awareness about treatment for substance use disorders, reduce stigma of those suffering, and celebrate those in recovery. That’s why this month’s virtual Funeral Professionals Peer Support meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT provides space to share stories of struggle and recovery and learn more about this all too common experience. 

Surveys show that over 65 million US adults consider themselves in recovery from substance use and/or mental health issues. Christopher Matthews, CLC, APR, CFSP, will facilitate the September Funeral Professionals Peer Support meeting to discuss the effect of substance abuse on funeral professionals today with a focus on growth, resilience and skills to support those struggling with these common, but often unspoken, concerns. 

With more than 130,000 deathcare professionals working in the United States today (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024) – many of them exposed to trauma daily – the need for support and interdependence in recovery is great. Matthews hopes to provide a fresh, personal perspective and tools to help spot and support funeral professionals in need to the road to recovery.

Building social supports and a caring community is essential for recovery. Connect with your fellow funeral professional peers on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT via Zoom link at cremationassociation.org/peersupport. No registration is required, simply follow the link to join.

About Funeral Professionals Peer Support

Funeral Professionals Peer Support Group is committed to providing support, healing, education and knowledge to funeral professionals. They promote wholeness and wellness by uniting funeral sector professionals through a Canada-wide network of regional organizations offering support, information and resources within their community. 

About CANA

Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,500 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.