October 29, 2024
In 2022, we surveyed mortuary school students to find out more information about the next generation of funeral professionals entering the workforce.
We found that 51.5% were under the age of 30, which means they’re part of Generation Z (or pretty close to it). Over the next decade, this group will be graduating from college and looking for a workplace.
But what qualities do they look for in an employer? And how can your funeral home stand out as a culture fit so they’re eager to join your team? We’ll give you a hint - technology can help.
In this blog, learn about Gen Z and the top 4 things they look for in the workplace.
Who is Gen Z?
Before we discuss how to create a Gen Z-friendly workplace, let's get to know this generation a bit!
Gen Zers were born between 1997 and 2012, making the oldest 27 this year. Many have called them "digital natives" because they grew up with technology like smartphones, computers, and social media. They tend to be risk averse
Now, let's explore 4 things they want in a workplace and how you can provide them at your funeral home.
#1. A flexible work schedule
The oldest of Gen Z entered the workforce from 2020-2024, meaning remote and hybrid work are more normal to them than other generations. Many have even grown to expect it as an option. A recent report found that 72% of Gen Z preferred hybrid work, while 16% preferred to be fully remote.
You might be thinking, "But remote and hybrid work in the funeral profession doesn't exist." And there is some truth to that!
But with the right technology, there are ways you can add flexibility to each role in your funeral home, like:
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Cloud-based software gives your team access to case files from wherever they are
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Mobile case management allows your staff to leave notes on case files or easily message teammates without coming into the office.
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Online at-need planning software creates a digital avenue for your team to communicate directly with families anytime and anywhere.
These are just a few technologies that allow funeral directors to achieve better work-life balance for everyday tasks while still keeping in-person meetings.
#2. Professional growth opportunities
One thing about Gen Z is that many strongly desire to learn how to grow professionally. In a recent survey, 49% of Gen Z employees said they would want to receive leadership training at work.
You likely already have opportunities for your staff to meet their continuing education requirements each year. But professional growth goes beyond CE! Here are a few ideas that may be attractive to Gen Z:
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Defined career tracks. Whether you're a team of 5 or 50, every role at your funeral home should have a defined career track. What do new employees have to work toward? What skills should they master to gain more responsibilities and grow professionally? New hires are more likely to stick around if they know what they're working toward.
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Make mentorship an option. You and many other experienced professionals on your staff have a lot of knowledge about providing the best care for families. Gen Z is the next generation of funeral service, and learning directly from experienced funeral professionals like you will only help them in the long run.
#3. Strong company culture
Forbes defines company culture as "the living, breathing persona of your company, capturing the norms, values, and behaviors that define the very character of your business."
And according to research from Gallup, the core values and character that make up your company culture are important to Gen Z. Outline your key values to potential recruits, and they’ll better understand your commitment to service and what it looks like to be on your team.
You can also boost company culture with team camaraderie! Check out these examples we've seen of how funeral homes are creating great moments on their team:
#4. Updated technology
Unlike any other generation before them, Gen Z grew up with technology. It was a large part of their childhood, and they will likely expect to use it in the workplace.
If you have technology - like social media, a website, communication apps, or funeral home software - already in place at your funeral home, that's great!
If not, don't worry! You can implement a few technologies to make your funeral home more attractive to younger recruits. Read about them in this blog.
Plus, since Gen Z is more fluent in technology, they might even be able to help the rest of your staff adapt to learning new software.
Transform your workplace for future success
Ready to transform your workplace? Hopefully, these 4 ideas will help you get started toward a more modern work environment that will make your funeral home more attractive to Gen Z graduates.
And don't be surprised if some of your older staff members appreciate these, too!
Take the first step with great funeral home software
Passare can add flexibility to your workflow with mobile and cloud-based case management and provide an easy way for your team to improve internal communication.
Get a demo to see how Passare can make your everyday tasks a breeze.
