Arranging a funeral and want to know more about live streaming? Or are you planning an online memorial service for a loved one? Here we’ll take you through your options when it comes to planning online funeral services so that everyone can say goodbye, wherever they are.
What is an online funeral?
An online or virtual funeral is when a funeral service is held on the internet. It’s an opportunity for family and friends to come together to say goodbye to the person who’s passed away even when they can’t physically attend a funeral service. People might choose to have a physical funeral service that’s also live streamed (sometimes called ‘funeral webcasting'), or they may just want a fuss-free memorial service that’s entirely online. Either way, online funeral services are a good way of adapting a traditional funeral service so that everyone can pay their respects no matter their circumstances.
Why have an online funeral?
During the pandemic lockdown restrictions meant that funerals had to be simpler. The number of people attending a funeral was limited. And social distancing rules applied. Those who were vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 might not have been able to go at all. This meant that online funeral services and funeral live streaming became popular. It was a way for family and friends to say goodbye to a loved one when attending in person wasn’t an option. But online funeral services are still being used now.
Here’s why people are still live streaming funeral services, or having them online:
- You can attend an online funeral from wherever you live.
Live streaming and video calling technology has made it easier to pay your respects to a loved one wherever you are in the world. A virtual service means that you can say goodbye when travel isn’t an option. - You can attend an online funeral even if you’re unwell.
If you’re unwell or in hospital and can’t attend a physical funeral, a virtual one gives you the opportunity to attend while keeping you safe. - A virtual funeral saves memories for you.
When you live stream a funeral you can usually record the footage. This allows you to revisit it for years to come, as well as sharing it with anyone who couldn’t see it on the day
How does an online funeral work?
When planning an online funeral, you have a couple of options. We've shared these below:
1./ You can plan a physical funeral service and also live stream it.
If you’d like to live stream a funeral service, make sure you ask funeral directors about this before you start making any arrangements. You may find that there are funeral directors near you who offer live streaming services in addition to traditional funeral arrangements. Some churches and crematoriums now offer webcasting services too. This may come at an extra cost, but if you’re unsure where to start this could help take some of the pressure off.
2./ You can have an online memorial service, without a physical funeral service.
Even if you’re not planning a traditional funeral service you’ll still need to organise a burial or cremation. Talk about your options with a funeral director. If the person who died didn’t want a lot of fuss, a direct cremation or direct burial may be the right choice. Then you can organise an online funeral service on a date that suits all family and friends of the person who’s passed away.
How do you live stream a funeral service?
There are lots of free streaming platforms you could use like Facebook Live or YouTube. These platforms are useful if you want to stream a funeral service. It’s free and relatively easy to set up.
If you want to have the event streamed and recorded by a professional videographer, you can ask your funeral director in advance. They might be able to help you with the setup or introduce you to a professional videographer who will look after the live stream for you. Alternatively, you can search online for live streaming funeral services.
Going to organise the live stream yourself? It’s a good idea to test the set up beforehand in the venue itself. There may be patchy Wi-Fi connection. Or it may not be clear where you should set up microphones for the best sound. Checking this out in advance will help things run smoothly on the day.
How much does live streaming a funeral cost?
The cost of live streaming a funeral varies, depending on whether you do it yourself or hire a professional. A crematorium or church may offer funeral webcasting services at a fixed charge of around £50 - £100. But if you want a more professional result then a videographer may cost up to £500.
How do you watch a funeral online?
Usually, the person organising the service will share a link to the funeral live stream or online service. This might be in an email, or in the funeral notice. Either click on the link, or navigate to it using your web browser, and you’ll join the funeral online.
Sometimes you’ll need a password to watch an online funeral, which can usually be found in the same place you got the link. In addition, for some platforms, like Google Meet, you’ll need to set up an account before you can access the service. So It’s a good idea to check if you need to do this before the time of the funeral.
If you’re having technical trouble and you’re still not sure how to watch the funeral online, it’s okay to contact the organiser for help. However it’s best to do this in advance if possible.
Can you watch a live stream funeral later?
Yes, you can. Most services have the option to record the live stream, so you can watch it again later. This can be useful for sharing with anyone who wasn’t able to attend in person. Also, the day of the funeral can be very emotional, so you may want to rewatch the event later, or listen back to speeches.
How to hold an online funeral service
If you’d like to just have an online funeral and no physical service, there are a few things you’ll need to think about. Read the steps below to make sure everything runs smoothly.
1./ Find the right platform
If you’re not having a physical funeral service and want to have an online memorial service instead, a platform like Zoom or Google Meet would be useful. These are video conferencing services that you can use to share images and video. They also allow several people to be part of the service so they can do readings and share tributes. An order of service can be shared on screen too. These types of video conferencing platforms are a useful way of sharing memories of a loved one and mean you can adapt the online service in any way you’d like.
2./ Test the technology beforehand
Are you hosting the online memorial service at home? Do a test call with the people who’ll be contributing to the service. That way you can do a run through and check your internet connection is fast enough. This will also help you get familiar with the platform if you’ve never used it before, especially if you want to share images while speaking during the service.
3./ Send online invites
Remember to share the link to the online memorial service in advance. This will allow time to solve any technical problems people might have. Keep in mind that some people may need help figuring out how to access the link so you may want to go through this with them beforehand. Or have someone on hand who can support them over the phone if they need it.
‘Zoom funeral’ etiquette
If you’ve been invited to a funeral on Zoom or Facebook Live, you might be wondering what’s appropriate and what’s not. We’ve collected some tips below:
- What to wear to a Zoom funeral?
Even though you’re not meeting in person, it’s a good idea to wear what you’d normally wear to a funeral. Or there might be a dress code suggested in the funeral notice.
- When should I log on?
It’s a good idea to join the event 5-10 minutes early, to allow time for any technical issues. This also gives you the opportunity to greet the host and other guests before the service starts.
- Where should I join from?
When joining an online memorial service, especially one where you’re going to speak, it’s best to join from somewhere quiet, where you won’t be interrupted. If you’re watching a funeral live stream, where you won’t be joining in, simply pick an environment where you feel comfortable.
- Can I invite someone else to an online funeral?
Attending a funeral can bring up a lot of emotions, even if you’re joining online, so it can be comforting to have a friend or family member with you. Even so, it’s a good idea to check with the person organising the event that they’re happy for you to bring another person.
- Do I need to turn my camera on?
It’s usually considered respectful to have your camera turned on when you attend an online memorial. However, if you’d prefer not to, or your device doesn’t have a camera, you can let the host know in advance.
- What do I do with my microphone?
Your microphone can pick up a lot of background noise, even when you’re somewhere quiet. It’s a good idea to make sure it’s muted during the service, so that you don’t accidentally distract other guests.
Photo by Kushagra Kevat on Unsplash.