In The News

Wednesday February 24, 2010

The Derrick - 2010 Business Review

New owner, new services at Faller Funeral Home, Inc.

The year 2009 began with a new generation of the Faller family running the Faller Funeral Home, Inc., of Fryburg. Adam Faller, F.D., is the fifth generation of the family to manage the business.

The year was a busy one for the new owner, who made a number of changes while maintaining many traditions the Faller Funeral Home has been known for in its more than 160 years in business.

New services, old tradition

"We wanted to keep the legacy of personal service that Faller's has been known for, while adding a few new touches," said Adam Faller.

One evident and well-received change are the new "memorial portraits" featured at each viewing. These 16 x 20-inch portraits of the deceased resemble an oil painting on canvas. "The portraits are a nice addition to the viewing and families are always pleased to have such a beautiful keepsake to take home and remember their loved ones by," said Faller.

Viewings also may feature family videos or slide shows thanks to a new flat-screen television.

In addition to several cosmetic upgrades, Faller's added a "family lounge" in 2009, which features coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water. "Having a family lounge separate from the viewing areas allows family members a space to relax and regroup during a service," noted Faller. "It's been a good addition."

High-tech additions to a high-touch business

While the funeral business is centered on personal service, Faller is also using technology to help people outside the area stay in touch. In 2009, he created a website for the funeral home. The site features a list of services and a history of the business, but perhaps the most popular feature is the online obituaries section.

"We want to help friends and family members who are far away feel connected," explains Faller. "The website allows people to read the obituary no matter where they are. It also gives them an opportunity to post a personal message of condolence for the family, which has proven to be a very popular feature."

In addition to the website, Faller's has a Facebook page, whose followers are alerted each time a new obituary is posted on www.fallerfuneralhome.com. "This coming year, we also plan to create an email list for those who would like to be alerted directly each time a new obituary is posted," noted Faller.

Continuing improvements

For 2010, Faller will continue to look for new ways to reach out to clients through technology, including an expansion of the Faller Funeral Home website.

In addition, he plans to continue to update the look of the funeral home itself. "We will be doing some renovation work and updating the look of the interior spaces this year," he noted. "We recognize that the bereavement process is very stressful, and we want to provide a comfortable, restful space for family and friends to gather and remember their loved ones."