Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Smart Funeral Planning!
Four questions with Sahara Farrugio, Licensed Funeral Director and Advanced Planning Specialist at Smart Funeral Planning.
Why did you start your business?
Smart Funeral Planning was created out of a great need. In light of the pandemic, more people were facing their own mortality and asking questions about what would happen if... and my phone was ringing off the hook! In addition to the widespread, newfound interest in death, more people were dying overall - making the funeral homes busier than ever and unable to properly address pre-need inquiries. SFP connects local communities with funeral/cremation providers at a time when everyone needs help, answers, and unity, the most.
What is your best-selling product/service?
Death Cafe, a bi-weekly zoom meeting offering a space for open dialogue surrounding death and death-related topics, has grown a lot in popularity and has been a big source of referrals for my business.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
My whole business model is focused on showcasing local businesses - the funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries you drive by every day but very rarely consider and think to 'support'. In addition, SFP provides free educational seminars and workshops in partnership with local senior centers, living communities, libraries, and more.
Have you "reimagined" your small business?
My business is the first of its kind in Connecticut. The goal is to break down the death-denying mindset and take away any barriers between the public and the funeral director. Bringing people together to talk about death, giving them space to explore their options and become familiar with what to expect...seeing their local funeral director as a peer who is HUMAN, just like them, is so beneficial to a healthy death perspective, which in turn leads to a happier, and healthier, LIFE perspective.
Visit Smart Funeral Planning online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram pages as well!
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!
