Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why is 'impression management' particularly crucial for funeral directors, considering the nature of their services?
Why is 'impression management' particularly crucial for funeral directors, considering the nature of their services?
Due to the one-shot nature of funeral services, funeral directors must ensure a favorable impression to maintain their reputation and secure future business.
What are the primary limitations faced by funeral directors in increasing their business, and how do these limitations influence their operational strategies?
What are the primary limitations faced by funeral directors in increasing their business, and how do these limitations influence their operational strategies?
Funeral directors are limited by the fixed death rate and public perception. They focus on gaining market share and 'merchandizing up' to increase revenue.
Explain how the concept of 'performative ability' directly impacts a funeral home's financial success, according to the text.
Explain how the concept of 'performative ability' directly impacts a funeral home's financial success, according to the text.
A funeral home's 'performative ability' to stage meaningful and impressive services directly influences its reputation, which is its most marketable quality and drives business.
In the context of Erving Goffman's theories, how do 'expressions given off' by funeral directors affect the perceptions of the families they serve?
In the context of Erving Goffman's theories, how do 'expressions given off' by funeral directors affect the perceptions of the families they serve?
Why would a funeral home likely avoid sponsoring high-risk events like the Indianapolis 500, based on the principles described in the text?
Why would a funeral home likely avoid sponsoring high-risk events like the Indianapolis 500, based on the principles described in the text?
How does the 'one-shot nature' of funeral services increase the pressure on funeral directors to manage every aspect of the service meticulously?
How does the 'one-shot nature' of funeral services increase the pressure on funeral directors to manage every aspect of the service meticulously?
What strategies might a funeral director employ to 'merchandize up' without appearing exploitative or insensitive to the grieving family?
What strategies might a funeral director employ to 'merchandize up' without appearing exploitative or insensitive to the grieving family?
Explain the relationship between a funeral director's ability to stage a 'meaningful drama' and the long-term success of their business.
Explain the relationship between a funeral director's ability to stage a 'meaningful drama' and the long-term success of their business.
How does the text imply that the funeral director's role extends beyond simple logistical arrangements to include elements of emotional and social performance?
How does the text imply that the funeral director's role extends beyond simple logistical arrangements to include elements of emotional and social performance?
Based on the text, why is maintaining a positive 'reputation' more critical for funeral homes compared to other types of businesses?
Based on the text, why is maintaining a positive 'reputation' more critical for funeral homes compared to other types of businesses?
How can a funeral director balance the need to increase revenue with the ethical considerations of serving grieving families?
How can a funeral director balance the need to increase revenue with the ethical considerations of serving grieving families?
In what ways does the funeral director's role as a 'performer' necessitate a deep understanding of social and cultural norms surrounding death and mourning?
In what ways does the funeral director's role as a 'performer' necessitate a deep understanding of social and cultural norms surrounding death and mourning?
What potential ethical conflicts might arise from the funeral director's need to balance 'impression management' with genuine empathy?
What potential ethical conflicts might arise from the funeral director's need to balance 'impression management' with genuine empathy?
How might the increasing trend of pre-planned funerals affect the funeral director's approach to 'impression management' and service customization?
How might the increasing trend of pre-planned funerals affect the funeral director's approach to 'impression management' and service customization?
What specific elements of a funeral service could a director manipulate to create a more favorable impression, and how can this be done ethically?
What specific elements of a funeral service could a director manipulate to create a more favorable impression, and how can this be done ethically?
Explain why the limited opportunities for increasing business put so much emphasis on repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals for funeral homes.
Explain why the limited opportunities for increasing business put so much emphasis on repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals for funeral homes.
How does the concept of 'staging a performance' apply not just to the funeral service itself, but also to the initial interactions with the grieving family?
How does the concept of 'staging a performance' apply not just to the funeral service itself, but also to the initial interactions with the grieving family?
In what ways might changing societal attitudes toward death and mourning influence the 'performative' aspects of funeral directing?
In what ways might changing societal attitudes toward death and mourning influence the 'performative' aspects of funeral directing?
How can funeral homes use technology to enhance their 'performative ability' while maintaining a sense of dignity and respect?
How can funeral homes use technology to enhance their 'performative ability' while maintaining a sense of dignity and respect?
Explain how a funeral director's ability to actively listen and respond to the unique needs of each family contributes to their overall 'impression management'.
Explain how a funeral director's ability to actively listen and respond to the unique needs of each family contributes to their overall 'impression management'.
Flashcards
Funeral Director's Performance
Funeral Director's Performance
Funeral directors stage performances to project competence, sincerity, dignity, respect, and concern to grieving families and friends.
Impression Management
Impression Management
Managing the impressions others have of you through careful arrangement of expressions and actions, especially during a funeral service.
Limited Business Options
Limited Business Options
Funeral directors cannot increase business by increasing deaths. They must focus on market share and increasing the average funeral cost.
Performative Ability
Performative Ability
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Study Notes
- Funeral directors are seen as actors staging a performance
- The audience is the grieving family and friends
- The funeral director wants to be seen as competent, sincere, dignified, respectful, and concerned
- Funeral service is one-off and mistakes cannot be repeated
- It is important to stage a good performance
- The “show” must not fall flat
- The expressions given off must be arranged favorably (impression management)
The Funeral Director's Business
- The funeral director draws his living from the death rate
- The funeral director cannot increase the number of deaths
- Must be careful of how advertising is done
- Funeral homes do not sponsor risky events
Increasing Revenue
- Options for increasing the flow of money are limited
- Funeral directors can get more than their share of the business
- Funeral directors can merchandise up, so that the average cost of the funeral rises
- Opportunities to make money stem from staging meaningful dramas
- Staging favorable impressions can contribute to a marketable reputation
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