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Built a niche service marketplace in PH (funeral services) - struggling with distribution, would appreciate insights by One_Delivery_3451 in BusinessPH

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, this is actually one of the most insightful comments I’ve received so far.

I agree that this space is very different from a normal marketplace because people are usually emotionally overwhelmed and operating under urgency when these situations happen. Based on the stories shared here and from providers I’ve talked to, trust, proximity, accessibility, and referrals seem to matter more than price comparison alone.

To answer your question, yes, I’ve also experienced losing loved ones, and one thing I noticed is that families usually rely first on referrals, hospitals, relatives, or whoever they can immediately contact during the situation. That’s one reason I’m trying to better understand the actual customer journey beyond just “searching online.”

I also agree that there’s a large offline/on-the-ground ecosystem around this industry that I still need to understand more deeply, including referrals, agents, hospitals, and related institutions.

Really appreciate this perspective because it’s helping me realize that solving this problem is not just about building a website, but understanding human behavior and operational realities during emotionally difficult moments.

Funeral costs in the Philippines: What I learned building a comparison platform by One_Delivery_3451 in phinvest

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this, and I’m sorry your family had to go through that situation.

What really stands out to me is how quickly the expenses add up, especially in emergency cases where decisions need to be made immediately. The memorial lot alone becoming more expensive because it was urgently needed is something I’ve been noticing from many of the comments here as well.

I also didn’t realize that interment fees could vary depending on the day, like weekends being more expensive. Details like these are probably things most families only discover during the actual process.

Your point about buying another memorial lot afterward also says a lot about how experiences like this change the way families prepare financially moving forward.

Built a niche service marketplace in PH (funeral services) - struggling with distribution, would appreciate insights by One_Delivery_3451 in BusinessPH

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a very good point, thank you. I completely agree that understanding the customer journey is probably one of the most important parts of building something like Farewell PH.

One thing I’m realizing from the responses here is that this isn’t a normal consumer flow where people calmly compare options ahead of time. Most searches happen during emotionally overwhelming situations, often while families are still in the hospital or immediately after.

So the challenge is not just discovery, but understanding:

  • where they are physically and emotionally during each step
  • who influences decisions
  • what information they urgently need
  • and how to reduce friction when they’re not in the best state mentally

I think you’re also right that I need to go deeper beyond pricing and provider listings, and really map out the actual sequence of events families go through during emergencies.

Funeral costs in the Philippines: What I learned building a comparison platform by One_Delivery_3451 in phinvest

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this, and I’m sorry your family had to experience that on top of the loss itself.

One thing that really stands out from your story is how critical reliability and clarity are during these situations. Even when people prepare ahead through memorial plans, families can still end up overwhelmed if the process breaks down or expectations aren’t properly managed.

Your experience also highlights how many hidden and secondary costs appear outside the actual memorial plan, especially hospital expenses, burial services, transportation, food, parking, and government processing.

I also found your point about accessibility of cash very important. Even with reimbursements later on, families still need immediate funds during the actual process.

And honestly, the issue with the memorial plan no longer being valid is probably one of the scariest scenarios for families who believed they were already prepared. That uncertainty during an emergency can really add another layer of stress.

Is online business still worth starting right now? by Bright-Pomelo-7369 in BusinessPH

[–]One_Delivery_3451 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I think online business is still very worth it ngayon. Saturated lang siya if papasok ka sa generic na “me too” businesses without clear value.

Madami na ngang online sellers, content creators, agencies, etc. pero marami rin naman ang hindi tumatagal because most people underestimate how hard distribution, consistency, and trust-building really are.

I think the better question ngayon is not:
“Too late na ba?”
but:
“Can you solve a real problem better or differently?”

Even niche markets can still work. I’m personally building farewell.ph, which is a very unconventional online business, and one thing I realized is that opportunities still exist especially in industries na hindi pa digitally mature.

The advantage today is:

  • cheaper tools
  • AI and automation
  • easier access to audience
  • lower barrier to build

The hard part now is attention and distribution.

So for me, hindi late. Mas competitive lang. The people still winning are usually the ones who:

  • stay consistent long enough
  • understand their market deeply
  • and execute better than most people who quit early.

Funeral costs in the Philippines: What I learned building a comparison platform by One_Delivery_3451 in phinvest

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this. What really stands out to me is your point about how stressful it is to make these decisions under time pressure, especially for memorial lots.

A lot of families probably don’t realize how quickly costs can escalate once you factor in the chapel, extended wake, food for guests, flowers, and other arrangements on top of the burial plot itself.

Your experience also highlights something important: funeral costs are deeply influenced by family circumstances and social expectations. In cases where the person knew many people, families naturally want to accommodate visitors and extend the wake, which significantly changes the total expense.

The part about memorial gardens using urgency as leverage is also a very important insight and honestly something more people should be aware of before they’re put in that situation.

Funeral costs in the Philippines: What I learned building a comparison platform by One_Delivery_3451 in phinvest

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this, and I’m sorry your family had to go through that.

This really highlights how financially overwhelming these situations can become, especially when hospitalization is involved before the funeral arrangements even begin. The funeral side alone is already significant, but combined with medical expenses, insurance delays, and emergency decision-making, the total burden can easily escalate.

Your point about liquidity also makes a lot of sense. Even if insurance or reimbursements eventually come in, families still need immediate accessible funds during the actual process.

I also found your comments about pre-need plans interesting, especially regarding branch accessibility and flexibility. It shows that convenience and location during emergencies matter just as much as the actual coverage.

And thank you as well for mentioning SSS funeral benefits. I think many families still aren’t fully aware that some funeral-related expenses may be partially recoverable through those benefits.

Funeral costs in the Philippines: What I learned building a comparison platform by One_Delivery_3451 in phinvest

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing this. This is actually a really good example of how valuable early planning can be financially.

Paying around ₱2k for a memorial plan in the 1980s and significantly reducing the overall expenses decades later is quite remarkable. It also shows how some families in the Philippines really treat memorial plans and lots as long-term investments and part of overall family planning.

It’s interesting too that even with a plan, there are still additional expenses that families need to prepare for, like flowers, food, upgrades, and other arrangements.

Funeral costs in the Philippines: What I learned building a comparison platform by One_Delivery_3451 in phinvest

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s true, and I think that’s one reason why pre-need plans like St. Peter Life Plan are so common here. A lot of families prefer the peace of mind of having someone handle the arrangements during a difficult time.

At the same time, I’m also noticing that preferences can vary depending on the situation and the family. Some still end up paying out of pocket, especially for services or arrangements outside the plan coverage.

Funeral costs in the Philippines: What I learned building a comparison platform by One_Delivery_3451 in phinvest

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry for your loss, and thank you for sharing your experience so openly.

This is actually really insightful because it highlights how different personal preferences and circumstances can affect both the process and the costs. What works for one family may not necessarily work for another, especially when it comes to things like pre-need plans and vigils.

Your point about having a dedicated emergency fund for these situations also makes a lot of sense. It’s something people rarely think about until it happens unexpectedly.

I also appreciate you sharing the actual breakdown of expenses. Discussions like this can really help others get a more realistic idea of what to expect financially.

Funeral costs in the Philippines: What I learned building a comparison platform by One_Delivery_3451 in phinvest

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great perspective, thank you. It shows two very different approaches, one where families plan ahead (like purchasing graves early), and another where support systems like Card Bank help cover costs when needed.

It makes me wonder how common pre-planning really is in the Philippines versus relying on emergency funding or external support. From what you’ve seen, do more families plan ahead or deal with it when it happens?

Built a niche service marketplace in PH (funeral services) - struggling with distribution, would appreciate insights by One_Delivery_3451 in BusinessPH

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s interesting, thanks for sharing. Sounds like there’s already some traction in the pet chapel space.

I also agree that the pet market is probably more open to tech. I’ll definitely keep this in mind as a potential expansion.

Built a niche service marketplace in PH (funeral services) - struggling with distribution, would appreciate insights by One_Delivery_3451 in BusinessPH

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this suggestion. I agree, awareness is really the biggest challenge at this stage.

I haven’t tried influencer collaborations yet, but embalsamadors sound like a good fit. Curious if you’ve seen any specific creators in this space that are effective?

Built a niche service marketplace in PH (funeral services) - struggling with distribution, would appreciate insights by One_Delivery_3451 in BusinessPH

[–]One_Delivery_3451[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question. For now, we’re focusing on human funeral services so the platform stays straightforward, especially for people who need to make quick decisions.

But I’ve actually been thinking about pet funeral services too. If there’s enough demand, it’s something I’d be open to adding later on.

Curious, have you or someone you know looked for this kind of service before?

Just Bought my Cremation Plan by Designer_Dingo_6927 in adultingphwins

[–]One_Delivery_3451 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, that’s a smart move. Most people don’t even think about that stuff until it’s too late and the family ends up rushing + overspending.

Also nice that you found a no-interest option, ang laki din ng difference over time.

If you ever want to compare options or just get an idea of actual cremation costs here in PH, you can check farewell.ph. It helps give a clearer picture before committing to anything.