Referrals are how this business grows. Here's how to ask for them — from the families you serve, and from the professionals who meet families before you do. Swap every [BRACKET] for your own words.
Part A — Asking the family you just helped
The moment to ask is right after a sale that went well, when the family is relieved it's handled and grateful you made it easier. Two asks, both small.
The referral
"[FAMILY NAME], it was a privilege to help with this. If you ever hear of someone facing the same thing — a move, downsizing, settling an estate — I'd be grateful if you passed along my name. It's usually a relief to people to know there's someone who handles it."
Say it in person on the last day, or add it to your thank-you email a day or two later.
The review
"One more small thing, if you have a minute — a short review on Google helps other families find someone they can trust when they're going through this. Here's the link: [YOUR GOOGLE REVIEW LINK]. No pressure at all."
A handful of honest reviews from grateful families is the strongest advertising you have.
Part B — Attorneys & funeral homes
⚖ Read this first
This is a relationship, not a transaction. You never pay an attorney or funeral home for sending you a family, and you never offer to — referral fees to these professionals are restricted or illegal in many states. They refer people who need help to providers they trust. Earn the trust; that's the whole strategy.
Probate attorneys and funeral directors meet families at exactly the moment those families are about to need what you do — and they are asked, constantly, "who do we call for the house?" Your job is to be the name they can give with confidence.
The introduction
"Hi, I'm [YOUR NAME] with [BUSINESS NAME]. I run estate sales here in [AREA] — I help families sort, price, and sell a household when someone passes or downsizes. Your clients sometimes need exactly that, and I wanted to introduce myself and leave a few cards, in case a family ever asks you for a name they can trust. If it's ever useful, I'm glad to walk a family through what the process looks like — no obligation on anyone."
Keep it short. You're introducing a professional they can rely on, not pitching a deal.
What actually earns the referral
Leave cards, not a sales pitch. A small stack at the front desk and a genuine introduction beats a long conversation they don't have time for.
Be easy to refer. Answer the phone, show up when you say you will, and treat every family they send you like it reflects on them — because it does.
Check in without pestering. A brief note every few months, a card at the holidays. You want to be the name that comes to mind, not the person who won't stop calling.
Report back respectfully. When a referral turns into a sale, a simple "thank you for thinking of us, the family was wonderful to work with" closes the loop — and keeps you top of mind for the next one.
Every referral relationship comes down to the same thing: these professionals stake their own reputation when they give a family your name. Give them every reason to feel good about it, and they'll do it again.