Business of death finds an outlet on the Web

Web sites for funeral homes and crematoriums are growing in number, offering everything from listings of casket and urn prices to grief chat rooms.

By SHARON BOND

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2000

Funeral homes and crematoriums are building Web sites that sell their wares and services and educate people about the funeral process. Now some local funeral homes have made it possible for the squeamish to click on and comparison shop from the privacy of personal computers.

"Somebody could do all of their prearrangements from home," said Bill McQueen, president of Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center in St. Petersburg. His 48-year-old company launched a Web site in December.

Some sites give only basic, general information and invite the user to e-mail or call. Others put it all out there, listing casket and urn prices as well as various funeral service packages. You can compare bronze and steel caskets or find out that it takes two to three hours for flame and heat to cremate the average adult body.

The numbers are small, but the trend toward e-commerce is growing in the funeral industry. The advantages are not limited to prearrangements. Interactive spots on a Web site allow a person who cannot attend a service to log in a condolence e-mail or sign the funeral book. Directions to services can be pulled. Some sites are built to include obituaries with photographs. Eventually, Web sites could show services on line as they occur.

Anderson-McQueen is one of several funeral businesses in Pinellas County now on the Internet.

"We like to stay out there with the trends, where things are going," said Bill McQueen. "It's a benefit and convenience. We wanted to be there and be offering it to the public."

Anderson-McQueen's Web site -- http://www.andersonmcqueen.com -- has numerous pages and links. It provides background on the company, what services are available, lists prices for a variety of caskets and urns and breaks down all funeral costs. Embalming costs $325, for example, while the use of a hearse is $175.

John McQueen, vice president at Anderson-McQueen, is president of the Florida Funeral Directors Association this year. He estimates that 30 to 35 percent of funeral homes in the state have Web sites. "It is a growing thing, and more and more funeral homes are signing on," John McQueen said.

On the national level, the number probably is lower, estimates Kelly Smith, public relations manager for the National Funeral Directors Association in Brookfield, Wis. The association does not have an exact count of Web sites.

Smith said the number of members with Web sites is growing but is definitely still a minority. He said he believes somewhere between 70 percent and 75 percent of the 1,400 members do not even have e-mail.

"If the percentage of members who don't have basic e-mail is that high, then I have a suspicion the percentage of those who don't have Web sites is that high."

R. Lee Williams & Son Funeral Home Inc. in St. Petersburg has had a basic Web site -- http://www.rlwilliams.com -- for a year and a half. It soon will be updated to provide prices of products and services. The title page features an exterior shot of the funeral home. Interiors soon may be added in hopes of dispelling the dread associated with funeral homes. The site has a second page that offers advice for dealing with the loss of a loved one.

"People are afraid to go look in a funeral home," said owner Robin Williams.

"People can find out about us at their own leisure in their own comfort zone," said Bill D'Addio at American Heritage Cremation Society explaining why he has had a Web site since 1998.(www.cremation.cc/). "We are an information type company," D'Addio said. "It is important for people to have as much information as possible."

One of the first things a user sees on the cremation Web site is the price, $695. One link provides hospice locations across the country, and a section called "Four Spiritual Laws" details the need for a Christian life and acceptance of Christ. This section even has a spot where the user can pause, recite the prayer shown and perhaps receive Christ.

A few funeral businesses in Pinellas do not have their own Web sites but are owned by national firms that have company Web sites.

The Charles E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory in Inverness makes broad use of Internet capabilities on its Web site (http://chasdavis.com/) It has an extensive site that has been in operation a couple of years. Users hear a piano nocturne as they peruse the offerings. And if they are so inclined, they can visit the grief chat room.

-- Staff writer Amy Morrison contributed to this report.

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