Most funeral homes spend thousands on websites and marketing campaigns, then completely ignore the simplest SEO strategy that actually works: asking for Google reviews consistently.

Here's the reality: Google prioritizes funeral homes with fresh, recent reviews. When families search for cremation services, Google prefers to highlight businesses that are actively helping people right now—not just years ago.

Yet most deathcare providers rarely ask for reviews. They serve families with compassion, then hope those families will somehow remember to leave feedback on their own. It happens, but more often it doesn't.

Why Weekly Review Requests Beat Everything Else

Google Rewards Recent Activity

Google's algorithm looks for signals that your business is currently active and trustworthy. Recent reviews are one of the strongest signals you can send. Fresh reviews show Google that you're consistently serving families well and staying engaged with your community.

Learn more about Google's review timing preferences and how freshness impacts your rankings.

Fresh Reviews Build Trust with Families

When grieving families research funeral homes online, they want proof you're helping people today. Recent reviews create confidence that you're available, responsive, and caring right now when they need you most.

Consistent Reviews Outrank Sporadic Ones

The funeral homes dominating local search results don't get lucky with reviews. They systematically request them every single week. This consistent approach builds momentum that compounds over months.

Foundation First: Complete Your Google Business Profile

Before you start requesting reviews, make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and optimized. Follow this essential checklist to ensure you show up in the top 3 Google Map results. Missing basic information like accurate hours, complete address, or service categories will hurt your rankings regardless of how many reviews you collect.

Think of your Google Business Profile as the foundation and reviews as the building. You need both to compete effectively in local search results.

Your Simple Weekly Review Routine

Here's exactly what to do every week—it takes less than 10 minutes:

Step 1: Select Recent Families

Pick a couple families that you've served in the past week. Choose families who seemed satisfied with your services and had positive interactions with your staff.

Step 2: Send a Heartfelt Text Message

Create a brief, sincere text message that thanks them for trusting you during their difficult time and gently mentions that sharing their experience helps other families in your community find compassionate care.

What This Weekly Habit Achieves

Improved Local Search Rankings

Funeral homes that consistently request reviews typically see their Google Maps ranking improve within 2-3 months. The difference between appearing first and fifth can come down to who asks versus who doesn't.

More Visibility When Families Need You

Better search rankings mean more visibility when families need you most. Higher rankings lead to more website visits and phone calls from families seeking your services.

Stronger Online Reputation

Regular review requests build a steady stream of positive feedback that demonstrates ongoing quality service and helps families feel confident choosing your funeral home.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Results

Waiting Too Long

Send your review request within a week of services. The positive experience is still fresh, and families appreciate the continued care and follow-up.

Generic Messages

Personalized requests that mention specific details about their service get much better response rates than generic form letters.

Inconsistent Follow-Through

Requesting reviews sporadically doesn't build the momentum needed to improve rankings. Weekly consistency matters more than perfection.

Making Review Requests Feel Natural

The most effective review requests happen during necessary interactions rather than as standalone asks. Consider incorporating review requests when:

• Delivering final documents or certificates

• Returning cremated remains

• Checking in during the grief support process

• Handling any post-service arrangements

You can frame the request as helping other families in your community find compassionate care during their difficult times. Most satisfied families want to help others facing a loss.

Keep the tone grateful and focused on community service rather than business promotion.

The Competitive Advantage

While your competitors hope for reviews, you're systematically building them. This small weekly discipline creates a significant competitive advantage over time.

Funeral homes that implement this routine typically see improved local search rankings, more website visitors from organic search, and increased phone calls from new families.

The funeral homes dominating their local markets understand this. They've made weekly review requests a standard part of their client follow-up process.

Getting Started This Week

Don't wait for the perfect system or software. Start with what you have:

1. Complete your Google Business Profile optimization first

2. Choose 3 families from recent services who had positive experiences

3. Write personalized thank-you messages

4. Include your Google review link

5. Schedule time next week to repeat the process

Remember: the funeral homes that consistently appear first in search results aren't lucky. They're systematic about the small activities that compound over time.

Your community needs your services. Make sure they can find you when they search online by building the review momentum that Google rewards.