Live streaming webcasts of funerals and memorial services allows family or friends to watch from anywhere in the world, on any device and at any time, providing a valued and permanent online digital tribute.
Whether you call it webcasting, a virtual funeral or memorial services or funeral live streaming, restrictions on numbers and lockdowns during the Covid pandemic have meant that many funerals, memorials and celebrations of life are increasingly being held online as well as in person.
Even as these restrictions start to lift and borders reopen, live streaming webcasts of funerals and memorial services has now become a common and expected part of funerals and memorials, because they allow family or friends to watch from anywhere in the world, on any device and at any time. Professional live streaming also provides families and friends with a valued and permanent online digital tribute.
If you’re considering live streaming a funeral or a memorial, we’ve put together answers to the most frequently asked questions about funeral live streaming, webcasting, and virtual funeral and memorial services.
How does a virtual funeral or memorial service work?
Our professional team of videographers will organise everything for you.
- SCHEDULE LINK First we schedule the funeral live stream and create a private online event with a link to join.
- INVITE VIA EMAIL We provide you with an email invitation that either you can forward to family members and friends or we can do this on your behalf.
- EMBED MONTAGE We can also professionally pre-embed a photo, video and musical tribute, ensuring there are no technical hitches or glitches on the day.
- PROFESSIONALLY RECORD We professionally record and stream the service as it goes live so everyone can farewell their loved ones, wherever they are.
- DOWNLOAD AFTERWARDS The archived recording of the service will be accessible after the event so you can share and watch again with your family and friends.
How do you invite people to join a live streamed funeral or memorial service?
We create a private online event with a link to join the live streamed funeral or memorial service. Either you can send out the invitations to friends and family or we can do it for you.
Just before the funeral starts (we recommend at least 15 minutes before the service in case they have any problems with their internet connection or logging in on their device) the invitees click on the link to access the live stream, click on ‘join the meeting with audio’ and then on ‘start video’.
Where and when can you watch a live stream funeral?
Our live streamed funerals and memorial services can be watched both in real time (as the funeral happens) as well as any time after the funeral. All you need is an internet connection and a smart device.
This livestreaming technology has been designed to be viewed anywhere in the world on any device, such as your smartphone, tablet or computer, without any need to download an app or software.
You can decide who you will invite to the funeral and who the link is shared with, however there is no limit to the number of people you can invite to watch the webcast funeral or memorial, both in real time and after the event.
How long does the live streamed funeral or memorial stay online?
After the funeral live streaming, the event will stay online for one month, giving everyone plenty of time to download the recording to watch later and keep forever.
Although many people prefer to view the live stream as it happens, they often may want to revisit and rewatch it at a later date. Others may not be able to view the webcast funeral or memorial at the time it is live, so they will appreciate being able to watch it later.
And for all friends and family, the downloaded webcast will become a valued tribute video, preserved safely, professionally and permanently online, forever.
What is included in your livestream funeral or memorial package?
- Your very own private, password-protected and personalised funeral webcast page
- Funeral webcast via a professional live streaming platform
- Discreet on-site setup that won’t interfere with the guests or the service
- Multiple cameras and angles, filmed using the latest technology
- Photo, video and music tributes included
- Professional audio quality for clarity of sound
- Online order of service and guestbook for family and friends to add their messages
- Fast and seamless upload of video after the funeral or memorial ceremony
- Live stream data to show you who watched the service online in real time
- A backup recording of the webcast funeral
- Digital copy of the live stream after the service
What does it cost to professionally live stream a funeral?
Our professional live streamed funeral webcasts start at $650.
What do I wear to a live streamed funeral?
What you wear to a live streamed funeral will depend on what you would like to do and what the family has requested, eg, please wear pink to support breast cancer charities, or please wear purple as it was Michelle’s favourite colour.
Even if you decide to keep your camera off while watching so nobody can see you, dressing up for the occasion as if you were there in person will help you to feel like you’re a part of the service – even if you are on the other side of the world.
Can you participate in a live streamed funeral webcast?
Although the live stream is usually one way, we can provide friends and relatives the opportunity to deliver a live eulogy or reading if they are unable to be there in person.
If you are participating remotely, make sure you have a good internet connection, someone to help you in case of any technological glitches, a quiet and enclosed space, and think about the background that will be behind you when you go live.
Should you watch a live streamed funeral by yourself?
If you struggle with technology or are attending the farewell of a loved one, you might feel unsure and alone watching a live-streamed funeral by yourself.
In person, funerals are not a solitary event so watching a livestream funeral or memorial with close friends or family can be very comforting.
Professional live streaming is the closest thing to being there in person
At Funerals By Design we offer discreet, high quality and affordable live streamed funeral and memorial services from greater Sydney to anywhere in the world with our professional and experienced videographers, Stephen Lee from CeremonyCast and Chris Whiting from Fish Media.
If you have family or friends living overseas or interstate who can’t be here in person to attend a funeral, our professional live streaming really is the closest thing to being there in person. Find out more.