Krause gets second-to-none appointment setting and fully managed preneed

Wearing a lot of hats is expected at most funeral homes.

Not so at Krause. They’ve made it a point to cultivate a staff of specialists who can focus on perfecting their craft and delivering an unmatched experience to families. And their preneed team is no exception. Led by Preplanning Manager Jessica Ceille, Krause’s preplanning specialists are skilled at connecting with families and sharing the value of funeral service.

The challenge comes in creating a preneed experience as meaningful as the experience with at-need. And then there are the difficulties of generating enough high-quality leads, the struggles to set appointments with families, and the burden of the entire program resting on Krause’s shoulders—which is exactly why Jessica loves the specialized end-to-end sales and marketing program from Precoa.

Precoa’s support is phenomenal. Our team gets to be out there telling Krause’s story instead of sitting in the office trying to get someone to pick up the phone. Jessica Ceille Planning Manager | Krause

“I don’t even know where to begin,” she says. “Precoa’s support is phenomenal. Our team gets to be out there telling Krause’s story instead of sitting in the office trying to get someone to pick up the phone.”

Delivering the most meaningful preneed experience

Before switching to preneed, Jessica was a funeral director for over 30 years.

The career transition to preneed had its challenges, among them never having viewed herself as a salesperson. But what helped was the through-line of sharing the value of funeral service. That value connected the at-need and preneed experience together, and Jessica quickly found that selling preneed at Krause was ultimately about telling the funeral home’s story.

And Precoa’s vision of preneed matched that story perfectly.

The preneed experience with Precoa is built on the premise that we all need meaningful connection during a time of loss. Its purpose is to educate families about the importance of ceremony, ritual, and gathering, and to do so with sensitivity. For a former funeral director, this message resonates deeply.

“Krause is the most progressive funeral home I’ve ever worked with,” Jessica says. “The at-need and preneed teams work together, and our presentations need to coincide. Having a consistent message and story is critical.”

And to tell this story effectively, Jessica found Precoa’s support makes all the difference.

Complete preneed support

One of the most difficult challenges a preneed team can face is setting appointments with families.

Effectively generating leads is only the first obstacle to growing through preneed. The bigger issue is effectively following up with the families who’ve raised their hands and expressed their desire to preplan. Before Precoa, Jessica remembers spending hours on the phone each day, trying to set appointments.

Quite honestly, I don’t know if I’d still be here if Precoa hadn’t come along. Jessica Ceille Planning Manager | Krause

“When you’re so passionate about the message you want to share with families, you get discouraged making call after call with no response,” she says. “Quite honestly, I don’t know if I’d still be here if Precoa hadn’t come along.”

Now, as Krause’s preplanning manager, Jessica can stay focused on managing and developing her team, knowing Precoa will be filling their schedules with quality preneed appointments. She also knows she’ll receive an immediate answer if she ever has a question or issue. 

Plus, it feels like a true partnership. Jessica has worked closely with Precoa to launch successful campaigns that keep the funeral home top of mind in the community. She appreciates Precoa’s flexibility and innovation, as well as how reliable they always are.

“Hands down, the experience has been absolutely wonderful,” she says.

Preneed all tied together

With Precoa, Krause Funeral Homes has preneed completely covered.

From recruiting and coaching to generating qualified leads and setting appointments, Precoa helps Krause’s preneed program grow and thrive.

The hiring and training, the marketing assistance—it’s all second to none. Jessica Ceille Planning Manager | Krause

“The hiring and training, the marketing assistance—it’s all second to none,” Jessica says. “Not to mention the Funeral Planning Center, which is worth it 1,000 times over.”

Beyond the practical advantages of not having to set appointments, what really stands out is the quality of the appointment setting. This includes the Funeral Planning Center’s extensive communication and knowledge.

“If appointments are set after hours for the next day, we’re updated. If there’s a cancelation, we’re notified immediately,” Jessica says. “But what’s truly amazing is the pride the callers take in educating themselves about Krause and our community. They learn nuanced details of our history and our different locations, talking to families just like they’re a part of Krause. It’s incredible.”

The competitive advantage of end-to-end preneed

Now when Jessica reflects on Precoa, she thinks of the meaningful relationships she’s developed over the years with Precoa’s team, along with the growth Krause’s preneed program has seen.

To anyone considering working with Precoa, she says the decision should be easy.

You’ll see increased brand awareness in your community and increased preneed revenue. It’s a slam dunk. Jessica Ceille Planning Manager | Krause

“You’ve got absolutely nothing to lose,” she says. “You’ll see increased brand awareness in your community and increased preneed revenue. It’s a slam dunk.”