Funeral Live Streaming Services

Funeral Live Streaming

Funeral live streaming (also known as a webcast) is an online platform where you can attend the funeral service virtually from anywhere as long as you have a device with internet access. Since the covid pandemic, funeral live steaming has gone from a niche service to a wide-spread and easily accessible option. Live streaming a funeral can be a great way for family overseas or in other parts of the country to feel part of the day, and it can also be a way for people to process their grief afterwards by watching the video back.

Here are some of the questions we are commonly asked about live streaming funerals:

What is the cost of live streaming a funeral at a crematorium?
Most crematoria have in-built facilities for live streaming funerals. The cost is usually around £60-£70. There is also an option to receive a permanent download link after the service so you can keep the recording forever. The camera is always fixed on one viewpoint (ie no zooming or panning) and the quality is usually good but not HD-quality.

Should I live stream a funeral?
The advice we always give is that it’s better to live stream just in case you want the video in the future. You may never watch it again, but perhaps future generations will want to, or if someone is taken ill at the last minute and cannot attend the service they will at least be able to watch the recording.

How do people watch a live stream of a funeral service?
If it’s at a crematorium your funeral director will request the live stream and then send you some login details which you can forward on to whoever wishes to watch. They can often use these same login details to watch the service for a further 28 days after the service has ended. This is especially useful for people overseas who can’t watch the service live due to time difference.

Usually the platforms for live streaming at a crematorium are Obitus or Wesley Media.

What if the venue doesn’t have live streaming facilities?
Don’t worry, we can still help. We work with an amazing company who can provide everything from high quality live streaming and videography, to do-it-yourself streaming on your phone using their server. Prices range from £495 for a professional videography service (multiple locations at an additional fee – e.g home, church, cemetery) and £95 for a do-it-yourself stream. We can liaise with them on your behalf, organise their parking, give instructions about the venue etc.

Will the camera be really obvious?
People are often worried that the camera live streaming the service will be really obvious or distracting. This is definitely not the case. At a crematorium the camera is barely noticeable, and usually placed quite high up out of people’s eyeline. If you have a professional videographer, they are discreet, unobtrusive, and because their high-tech equipment has zoom lenses they can be at the back of the venue and still get a perfect shot of who is speaking. Most people comment on how they didn’t even notice someone was there.

A Professional Funeral Live Streaming Setup

Do churches have live streaming options?
Some churches have very sophisticated setups to live stream funerals and church services, and some do not. Ask your funeral director and they will be able to advise. If the church does have these facilities, they are often live streamed on YouTube or Facebook, which is quite public. If you want a more private live streaming option then you may want to consider using a professional live streamer or videographer.

Can the funeral procession be live streamed?
In-house crematorium live streaming will only film the service inside the crematorium. If the funeral procession is an important part of the day then you may want to consider hiring a professional live streamer or videoing it using your own equipment. For example, if you are having live music, an alternative hearse, or a lot of people meeting at the home address before the service you may wish to have this recorded.

Is there a limit to the number of viewers of a funeral live stream?
With Obitus or Wesley (the platforms that the crematoria use) we need to know if you are expecting a large number of viewers – over 250. It may not be possible for everyone to log in and view, so you should wait until the service is reuploaded afterwards so everyone can watch. With a professional videographer there is no limit to the amount of people who can watch at once.

I don’t want to be filmed – can my face be blurred out?
Most crematorium cameras film only the catafalque (where the coffin is placed) and the first row so you only see the backs of people’s heads. If you don’t want to be filmed then make sure you stay towards the back of the chapel. If you have a professional videographer, tell the funeral director or the camera operator you don’t want to be filmed and they will make sure your wishes are respected.

Funeral live streaming on a phone is a very cost effective option

Can I have a DVD or USB of the service?
If you are the main client of the funeral director then you can order any keepsakes like DVDs or USBs through them. If you are not one of the next of kin you will need to ask their permission to do so, and the order will still need to be placed through the funeral director with their permission.

How can I make sure the live stream is private?
Live streaming a funeral will always be via a private link and password protected. Only the people who you share the link with can watch. Some churches may live stream the service via a public page like Facebook live, but if you are concerned about this talk to your funeral director and they can help you explore other live streaming options.

Does the live streaming affect musicians?
If you are having live music (choir, organist etc) and live streaming the funeral in the UK we must always tell the venue and the musicians. This is because the musician’s fees will be higher due to copyright law. It can get quite expensive so always make sure you discuss with the funeral director and get a full estimate of costs.

If you’re not sure if live streaming is right for you, or if you want some more advice contact Exit Here any time.