Live Streaming Funerals
The ability to live stream a funeral service is important today, as people are moving to all different corners of the earth. Family members and friends might not be able to travel at the last minute to attend a funeral for a friend or relative, but if the funeral home is able to live stream the funeral online, they can still take part.
Some might think that taking a video is the same as a live stream of a funeral service, but it’s actually much different. A live stream allows long-distant friends and relatives a chance to take part in the funeral service for a friend in real time, as opposed to watching it after the event once someone sends it to them.
3 Ways to Live Stream a Funeral Service
Funeral webcasting is still a relatively new concept, but there are a few different ways you can make this happen for your family and loved ones.
1. Funeral Home Capabilities
Talk with your local funeral home to see if they already offer some live streaming services for their guests. It’s a completely acceptable way to connect those far away from an event they’d otherwise be unable to take part in. Some people might be too old or sick to travel long distances, but something like this can still help them feel close to their family and friends. If you are in South Florida, The Gardens of Boca Raton Cemetery & Funeral Services will soon offer these capabilities as part of the new 3 million dollar expansion project.
2. Use OneRoomStreaming.com
This website is specifically designed for churches/temples and funeral homes, allowing them to stream high quality video of funerals to remote viewers. You would need the funeral director to set this up, however. The event would also be archived so that people could go back and watch it at a later date.
3. Set It Up Yourself
If you don’t have a local funeral home that offers live streaming capabilities, then you might choose to do it yourself. These are some things you will need:
Webcam: While you can use a regular video camera, a webcam is much easier to use because it’s ready to connect to a computer already. You also want a webcam with a mic to add sound to the experience.
Powerful Computer: You’ll need a powerful computer to connect your webcam to, which will help process the incoming video and get it back out to your audience.
Live Stream Website: Once your computer processes the incoming live stream, it will need an output. This comes in the form of a place for that live stream to exist online for others to be able to watch it. Websites like Ustream.tv and LiveStream.com should work well for what you need.
Some might think using their phone to post a Facebook Live video or to broadcast it to Periscope is a good idea, but that also makes it a less personal experience since it’s on social media for those not involved to take part.
Your local funeral home might offer their guests the ability to live stream a funeral service. The Gardens of Boca Raton Cemetery & Funeral Services offers live streaming of funerals and they service the South Florida area. If you are planning a funeral in Broward, Dade or Palm Beach County, call them at (561) 989-9190 for help.
