By Tom Ciesielka, President, TC Public Relations
Last week, while driving through the northwest side of Chicago, I passed by Mount Olive Cemetery and saw something that stopped me in my tracks—a large sign at the entrance promoting upcoming community events, including Father’s Day, Christmas, and Easter 2025. Not just a quiet place for reflection and remembrance, this cemetery was actively reaching out to the community, inviting them to participate in meaningful moments throughout the year.
And that’s when it hit me: even in a cemetery, public relations is not dead.
It was more than just a clever thought—it was a reminder of a truth I’ve known for over 25 years in this profession. Public relations is about relationships, and those relationships never stop mattering—whether you’re managing a law firm, a nonprofit, a corporation, or even a cemetery.
Staying Relevant—Even in the Quiet Places
Think about it: a cemetery, by definition, is not a bustling hub of business activity. It’s solemn, reflective, and grounded in the past. And yet Mount Olive understands something essential—public relevance requires proactive communication. It doesn’t matter what your organization does. If you want to stay connected to the people you serve, you have to meet them where they are, and sometimes even surprise them with humanity, hospitality, and hope.
Hosting community events at a cemetery might seem odd at first, but it’s actually deeply strategic. Events like a Father’s Day remembrance offer grieving families a place to honor loved ones with dignity and support. Christmas and Easter observances remind people of spiritual hope and continuity. It’s not just marketing—it’s mission-driven engagement.
What Every Organization Can Learn
At TC Public Relations, we work with all kinds of mission-driven organizations—from law firms to pro-life ministries—and we often hear the same question: “How do we stay relevant?”
Mount Olive Cemetery gives us three PR lessons worth remembering:
- Stay Human.
Even solemn institutions can be warm. Whether you’re a funeral home or a federal attorney, your message is more impactful when it connects with the emotions and values of your audience. - Plan Ahead.
Promoting events for Father’s Day, Christmas, and Easter in the middle of spring? That’s smart public relations. Great PR isn’t just reactive—it’s planned, seasonal, and intentional. - Show Up in Surprising Places.
Sometimes the most powerful messages come from unexpected platforms. Just like Mount Olive’s signage caught my attention, your organization can stand out when you communicate boldly—even in places others overlook.
A PR Life Lesson
For me, seeing that sign was a good-humored yet profound reminder that public relations is always alive where people care enough to communicate meaningfully. Death, grief, legacy, and memory—these are serious matters. And yet they’re woven with opportunities for connection. PR isn’t just about press releases and interviews—it’s about reminding people they matter, even in the most unexpected places.
So whether you’re a nonprofit working for change, a law firm managing visibility, or a church trying to reach new families, the message is clear: If a cemetery can run a year-round outreach calendar, what’s stopping the rest of us?
Let’s stop waiting for “the right moment.” Let’s plan with purpose, speak with clarity, and keep the conversation going—because even in the quietest places, there’s always a story worth sharing.