What are “third-party sales” in funeral services?

Third-party sales in funeral services refer to the transactions involving funeral-related products or services that are not directly sold by the funeral home itself. This typically includes items like caskets, urns, or memorial keepsakes that may be sourced from an external vendor, rather than the funeral home’s own inventory. These sales can provide families with a broader range of options and potentially better prices, as they allow customers to shop around for specific products that may meet their preferences or budget.

This definition is crucial for funeral service professionals to understand because third-party sales can influence how funeral homes market their services, how they establish relationships with vendors, and how they communicate pricing and options to families. Such sales are important to note as they can affect overall service offerings and customer satisfaction, indicating that the funeral industry is not solely dependent on in-house offerings but can integrate external products to enhance the service experience.