As more families make funeral and cremation arrangements online, what they’re buying and how they’re buying, has started to shift. In Episode 50 of the Direct Cremation Podcast, Caroline Andree of Parting Pro uncovers a surprising truth: the most purchased urn isn’t flashy, high-end, or even decorative. It’s the basic plastic temporary urn.
So, what’s driving this trend? And what can it teach us about consumer behavior, online funeral arrangements, and the future of funeral home management?
Join us kickstart this fresh month by digging into the biggest takeaways from this recap episode!
When Convenience Wins: Why the Plastic Urn Reigns Supreme
Caroline reveals that among hundreds of online cremation transactions facilitated through Parting Pro’s platform, the top-selling urn wasn’t a bronze keepsake or a hand-carved wood box; it was a plastic temporary urn, often included by default.
This isn’t just a fluke. It’s a data-backed insight into what families are prioritizing today: simplicity, speed, and cost-efficiency.
Many families are choosing online cremation services not because they don’t care, but because they want a smoother, more accessible process. They’re dealing with loss, stress, and financial pressure. A no-frills option that gets the job done often wins.
For funeral professionals, this is a wake-up call. If you’re stocking elaborate displays but ignoring what families actually click “buy” on, you may be missing opportunities, not just for revenue, but for connection.
The Hidden Upside: The Plastic Urn as a Conversation Starter
Rather than treating this as a defeat in merchandising, Caroline frames it as an opportunity. If you know families are defaulting to the temporary urn, use that knowledge strategically.
This is where funeral arrangement software and funeral planning software can play a huge role. When a family selects the temporary urn online, that’s your prompt to reach out and educate—not upsell, but inform. A message like:
“We noticed you selected the temporary urn. Would you like to explore options for long-term memorialization or keepsakes before finalizing?”
That simple interaction opens the door to value-driven conversations, helping families discover options they may not have realized existed, like fingerprint jewelry, biodegradable urns, or companion urns for shared memorialization.
This approach blends marketing cremations with care. You’re meeting families where they are, guiding them with empathy, and often helping them make decisions they’ll feel better about long-term.
What This Means for Your Arrangement Process
This episode offers more than just an urn sales stat, it exposes the silent signals that families are sending when they choose to make arrangements online. Here’s what it means for your funeral home:
- Make sure your online arranger includes clear, simple urn options. Don’t overload the page; too much choice creates friction.
- Use behavior triggers to personalize outreach. If someone chooses a plastic urn, set a reminder to follow up with a thoughtful message.
- Rethink your merchandising strategy. Families might not need 15 urns to choose from, they may just need a little guidance at the right time.
This is where cremation software, funeral director apps, and integrated funeral home software systems become essential. With the right tools, you can identify purchase patterns, automate touchpoints, and offer better service at scale.
The Role of Funeral Tech in Today’s Sales Journey
Caroline and Tyler also touch on the broader role of technology in adapting to modern consumer expectations.
Data shows that online shoppers often skip over dozens of product options and go with whatever’s easiest. That means your cremation website and online funeral arrangement experience needs to be simple, intuitive, and mobile-friendly.
If you’re still relying on PDFs and paper price lists, you’re likely losing families before they even call. Switching to an online funeral arrangement platform not only boosts conversions, it gives you insight into family preferences so you can build smarter follow-ups.
And here’s the kicker: none of this needs to be complicated. Today’s best funeral service software can automate these insights, trigger outreach, and help you deliver personalized service with minimal manual work.
Final Thought: It’s Not Just About the Urn
What this episode ultimately reveals is that online behavior tells a deeper story.
When families choose the plastic urn, they’re not saying, “We don’t care.” They’re saying, “We don’t know what else to pick.”
That’s your cue.
With the right funeral home management system in place and a shift in mindset, every arrangement becomes a chance to educate, connect, and serve more meaningfully.
Want to see what else families are clicking on? Watch the full episode to learn how your funeral home can stay ahead in 2024’s changing marketplace: Watch on YouTube