It was just a small camera installed at the back of the room, but it played a big role in sharing the life story of Karen Newman.
Knowing that not everyone would be able to attend her funeral, her husband, Peter, arranged for the service to be broadcast live.
Karen, former president of the Vermont Nutrition and Dietetics Association, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in South Burlington, Vermont, after an 11-year battle with breast cancer. She was 58 years old.
“His life from hers had gotten precious and short,” says Peter. Getting to broadcast the service live, seen by hundreds of people, comforted him. “She took some of the heartache off,” he says. “It helped me to know that at the very moment we were celebrating her life, people were watching from afar.”
Why choose a live broadcast?
The pandemic triggered by the coronavirus has created an increase in families wanting to broadcast live. Before the pandemic, about one in five funeral homes had the ability to transmit services (according to a 2019 survey by the National Association of Funeral Directors). Since the pandemic, interest has exploded.
Funeral Live Streaming Benefits
Funeral Streaming has been around for years, but only recently is this service gaining popularity. Here are just a few of the ways families benefit from the funeral broadcast live:
Regulations: When gatherings and travel are not allowed or possible, as with the coronavirus or COVID-19, live streaming may be the only way to honor your loved one immediately, while planning a future memorial when circumstances allow.
Comfort: Family members who are ill or frail may not be able to travel to the service site. Funeral Live streaming allows them to participate from the comfort of their home.
Family Reunion: Was the loved one who passed away known in the community? The family may feel more comfortable maintaining a smaller service, but providing a link so that a larger circle of those who want to pay their respects can do so remotely. about having strangers present. Live streaming provides access to the public while holding an intimate gathering for close family and friends.
Distance – When loved ones live across the United States, or even another country, traveling to a funeral can be too expensive. You can livestream a funeral service to provide access to those who cannot afford travel costs.
Short notice: Sometimes burial or cremation must take place within a day or two due to religious traditions or medical requirements. Live Streaming enables immediate funeral services by eliminating waiting time for travel arrangements.
Recording – Live streaming of a funeral not only provides access for real-time viewing, but the family may appreciate having a recording of the services. This recording will capture the many stories and memories shared during the event.
Reduce costs: Organizing a funeral or virtual memorial makes it easy to cut costs. If your budget is tight, use the live broadcast of the funeral as a way to skip venue fees, catering bills, and travel costs.
If you decide to broadcast funeral services live, you will find that it is an effective way to create unity among the many friends and family who wish to participate in the event. Technology helps the group find healing in the midst of their loss, while connecting people from all over the world.
