You might as well place your yard sign on the cemetary plot right before the funeral.

Seriously, would you be in a frame of mind to ask the advice of a funeral director about marketing a home? If you want to do anything, send some flowers to them and leave it at that.

It's morbid, no doubt, but widows and widowers and families need help. IIWY, I'd go at it from the attorneys and funeral homes that service the clients.

Nonetheless, I think it'd take a very patient and understanding person to help a family during such a difficult time in their lives. I hope you have those qualities - the last thing those ppl need is some jerk agent acting like he's Mr. Big, ykwim?

Gulf Winds, the bereaved may not be in a frame of mind to think about or ask about selling their home but the funeral director is there to help keep them focused on things they need to do. When my dad died, the funeral director (helps that it's a small town and nearly every family for the last 150 years has been serviced by this family owned business) suggested lawyers for me to contact. Don't recall that he mentioned a real estate agent but he probably assumed, like everyone else including me, that I'd be inheriting the property and living there myself. (been in the family for generations, and all that hooey.)

If you are able to handle grieving family members with dignity and respect, advertise yourself to funeral homes and estate attorneys as such, and ask them to include your information when providing materials to their clients.

You can create appropriate material for them to give to their clients. This will not be seen as being an ambulance chaser, but as someone able to help them.

I think I would work up a relationship with estate attorneys before a funeral director. Disposal of real property, after a death, generally takes place some time after the funeral.

Also, much of the public sees the funeral industry as one that takes advantage of people in a time of great stress and emotional turmoil. (Perky, no reflection on your dad, there are still some independants that put people and service ahead of profits).

Approaching the family some weeks later would probably be viewed in better light, with the realtor not looking vulturish and an ambulance (ok, hearse) chaser.

^^sometimes I really love living in a small town. :-/