I'm always fine with writing a good business letter...but I would like to write to my local funeral directors to offer my catering services to the families they see everyday . I keep typing the first line...then deleting it! Does anyone have any ideas on wording?
Thanks Anne

> I would like to write to my local funeral directors to offer my catering services to the families they see everyday

It may be me, and admittedly I've no experience of using a Funeral Directors, but I'm not sure I'd want them to try and recommend additional services.  Is this common practice?  If so perhaps you could ring them first and find out what information they want/need then follow up with a letter so that you can be specific.

Presumably you are a caterer and advertise in the normal way, can you just add that you are willing and able to cater for wakes, as well as your more usual event.  You could get a link to a general funeral service site like this one.

I think the way these things are done in funeral directors is by leaflet.For instance you have quality leaflets printed with the service you provide along with prices and an introduction,telling the bereaved that your services are available to save them the trouble of having to arrange catering themselves at such a difficult time.You then need to approach the funeral director to ask them to include your leaflet in the literature they give to the bereaved.You really need to phone them too make an appointment and to take an example of your leaflet with you.

yeah sorry but i have to say that when my Nan and Grandad died and i had to sort their funeral's at the undertakers i found that such a hard thing to do in its self , and the last thing i would have wanted was for them to be offering me catering just after i'v picked their coffins, sorry :-(

edit to say poppity thats a better idea, i remember being given some leaflets but cant say i looked at any but thats still the best way i think, i ended up sorting catering via yellow pages,

and the last thing i would have wanted was for them to be offering me catering just after i'v picked their coffins, sorry 

Now, I must admit that when Dad died earlier this year. The funeral director asked us where we wanted to hold the wake and did we have a caterer in mind. They did all the contacting of the venue, the caterer etc and we found it much easier than having to contact the people ourselves. One visit by the funeral diector and all was sorted out.

I'm sure your local funeral director will know the best way of approaching their clients with your information.  I'm struggling to word this post but will give your letter a shot.

Just remember that they are, at the end of the day, a business.  You are writing business to business, you're not writing to someone who has just lost a loved one.

Dear Mr .....

I am writing to introduce myself to your company.  My name is.... & I am the managing director of .....Catering.  We are looking to expand our business locally & believe that we may be of assistance to your clients during their time of need by providing both of our services at the same time (I want to say one stop shop but that is incredibly tactless, sorry!)  I have enclosed some examples of my work and a number of venues that your clients may find useful if they did not wish to use their own homes.

Perhaps we could arrange a suitable time for me to discuss this with you further.

OK, this isn't perfect in any way, but as I don't know whether you've looked in to advertising, venues, menus etc. it's a bit hard to decided what to include in the letter. 

I think that's a great letter.:)

i think thats a nice start :-)

Thanks Maddog.......what a wonderful letter! Just what I wanted to say but couldn't find the words!

I know some people don't think that funeral directors should offer this service, but it's another weight of your mind if all can be sorted at once. The local funeral directors I have sourced via the internet arrange the flowers, so why not the food :-)
The FD in my town offer they own caterer, this gave me the inspration to try the others.

Thanks for all your help!

Glad to be of service ;-)  Good luck with the business :-)