How do OOS or out of city folks turn on utilities?

[Elizabeth Wilson]

We bought a home today an hour or so away from Memphis.  I called to set up utilities and was told that I must come to their office to set it up and must be there when they turn it on.  This is a pain of course and frustrating that its 2017 and we can set this up on the phone.

But besides that, I'm wondering how other out of city/state investors do it?

(hoping there is a trick I'm missing!)

Thanks in advance!