For funeral homes, cremation services and celebrants
Funeral Home Testimonials From Families
Families choosing a funeral home are often doing it for the first time, in a hurry, and they lean heavily on what other families say. The families you have served are glad to help, but only when they are ready and only if the ask feels like care rather than marketing. The checklist below covers timing, wording and what a published note should never reveal.
- No request until the family has had time
- One personal note, no chasing
- Nothing about the person who died without the family’s word
The problem, solved
What makes asking families hard, and how StoryProof helps
The right approach here is quieter than anywhere else. These are the situations directors describe most.
Situation 1 of 5
Asking too soon feels like a sale
In the days after a service, a request from the funeral home can read as part of the invoice.
How StoryProof solves it
Keep each family as a contact with the service date, and send one personal email only after the waiting period you set.
Situation 2 of 5
Families already write us cards
Many families say thank you in a card rather than online, and the kindest words sit in a drawer.
How StoryProof solves it
With the family’s permission, a staff member can enter the words through the collection link; nothing appears anywhere until you approve it.
Situation 3 of 5
Some prefer to say it aloud
An older relative may find writing hard but would gladly leave a few spoken words.
How StoryProof solves it
The same link accepts an audio note or a short video as well as typed words, in the browser with nothing to install.
Situation 4 of 5
The note names their loved one
Families often write about the person who died, with dates, circumstances or family matters that should not be public.
How StoryProof solves it
Every note waits for approval, so you can agree with the family which name, if any, appears and remove private details first.
Situation 5 of 5
A family shared a recorded tribute
Some families send a video thanking the staff, separate from the service recording itself.
How StoryProof solves it
With their permission, upload the video file into StoryProof and choose whether any page shows it.
Family request checklist
Before you ask a family, and before you publish
Work through this for each family. If any item in the first group is unclear, do not send the request.
Ticks stay in this browser tab. Nothing is saved or sent.
A gentle request, written as a director would
Sample wording, not a real family or funeral home
Dear {family name},
It has been a few weeks since we said goodbye to {loved one’s first name} together, and I have thought of your family often.
If at some point you felt able to share a few words about how we cared for you, it might help another family who is facing the same decisions. There is no need to reply, now or ever. If you would like to, this link lets you write, record a short message or leave a voice note: {link}
Whatever you share, we will show you exactly how it would appear before anyone else sees it.
With warm regards, {director name}
In StoryProof
A quiet routine in StoryProof
- You will need
- A waiting period your team agrees on
- One collection link with a soft opening question
- A named director for each family
- 1
Record the family after the service
Add the arranging family member as a contact with the service date. Do not send anything yet.
- 2
Send one personal note
Once the waiting period has passed and the checklist is clear, email the note from the director who looked after them.
- 3
Offer a printed card as well
For families who prefer paper, a card with the link as a QR code can go into the aftercare pack instead.
- 4
Review with the family
Agree the name and remove private details, show the family the final words, then approve.
- 5
Show a few, calmly
Choose a small number of approved notes for your arrangements page rather than a busy wall.
What happens next: If a family later asks for their words to come down, remove them that day and without questions.
Before you start
Honest limits
What this does not cover, and what to check on your side. Better to know now than after launch.
- 01
Leave reminders off for families
On plans with automations, follow up reminders are available. For grieving families we suggest not using them; one note is enough.
- 02
Email only
Requests go by email or a printed QR code. A phone call is often kinder for some families, and that stays with your staff.
- 03
No public review sites
StoryProof collects testimonials for your own website. It does not post to or request reviews on public review platforms.
- 04
You judge the timing
StoryProof cannot tell whether a family is ready. The waiting period and the decision to ask are yours.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Short answers to what usually comes up next.
How long should a funeral home wait before asking for a testimonial?
Several weeks at least, after the service and once all paperwork and payment are settled. Many directors wait longer, or only ask families who have already said thank you.
Should we send a reminder if the family does not reply?
No. One personal note that says no reply is needed is enough. Silence is an answer.
Can we name the person who died in a testimonial?
Only if the family clearly agrees and has seen the final wording. Many families prefer the note to mention only themselves, or neither.
Can we use thank you cards families have sent us?
Yes, with the family’s permission. Ask before using the words, and show them how the note will appear.
Still have a question? Ask the StoryProof team or book a demo.
Gather families’ words with care
Set up one gentle collection link and keep every note private until the family has seen it. No credit card needed.
Last updated 2026-11-12.