How Virtual Funerals Help Loved Ones Connect from Anywhere

Funerals, which are rooted in old traditions and customs, are adopting the technology that caters to the needs of the digital age. Funeral services have traditionally required the physical presence of the mourners, which is not so readily achievable for individuals divided by distances. A virtual funeral service is a modern solution to an old need and can be as successful as a face-to-face event.

Sometimes, a virtual service is a better fit for the surviving family members and loved ones. They can bring people together, no matter how far apart they live, to pay their respects and mourn the deceased.

What Are Live Streamed Funeral Services?

During the past five years, live streamed, or virtual, funerals have become increasingly common. Technology and social media have made it possible to attend an online funeral service that is personal and meaningful. This gives friends and family who cannot be there in person a chance to say goodbye, mourn, and achieve closure.

Virtual funerals are similar to traditional funerals but are live-streamed on Facebook, Skype, Zoom, or a funeral-specific platform. These platforms make it possible for anyone – no matter where they live – to attend an online funeral livestream from their laptop, cellphone, or tablet. Many funeral services are both live and recorded, providing access for remote attendees and giving them an additional way to attend that meets their needs and allows them to be a part of the service.

Live Streamed Funeral Services

By far the most significant benefit of a funeral livestream is that it allows real-time attendance by loved ones who cannot be there in person. Although many of the closest family and friends of the deceased would like to attend, not everyone has the ability or the means to travel long distances. Sometimes, a large funeral isn’t possible, but the family wants to honor the deceased with a small service.

Livestreaming funerals can be deeply personal and incorporate elements such as video montages, musical performances, and digital guestbooks. Digital services allow all guests to participate and enhance togetherness during a time of shared grief. There is something profoundly healing that happens when friends and family mourn together.

Recorded Funeral Services

In addition to being live-streamed, a virtual memorial service can be recorded. Guests who live in different time zones or cannot attend the live funeral will have a chance to participate. Everyone grieves differently, and some may not be up to attending the funeral, either in person or remotely. However, funerals are filled with meaningful moments, such as shared stories, memories, and other heartfelt tributes commemorating the deceased. Being able to rewatch or view these moments when ready is often a comfort to family and close friends.

Overcome Travel or Health Barriers

Death does not always arrive at a convenient time. Illnesses or chronic conditions can make it difficult, highly uncomfortable, or even impossible for some guests to attend. Or they may have a young child or other dependent that they are unable to bring to the funeral and cannot afford, find, or don’t feel comfortable leaving behind with someone watching them.

These are roadblocks that, in the past, would keep guests from attending a funeral as part of their grieving process. Remote funeral attendance allows people who cannot make it feel like they are a part of the service.

Technology in Modern Funeral Services

Technology touches every area of our lives, so it’s no surprise that digital innovations are transforming funeral services. Combining time-honored funeral services with today’s technology through remote attendance gives families more ways to celebrate the lives of their deceased loved ones.

Many of us are familiar with the technology that makes a funeral livestream possible. We all interact with live streaming services and online platforms on a daily basis. A virtual funeral service works in much the same way. A video is sent over the Internet in real time without being recorded or stored. While a live stream is not prerecorded, it can be recorded and saved for additional viewing.

An online memorial page can host memories, pictures, videos, and stories about the deceased to celebrate their impact. Unique stories and funny anecdotes can remind the bereaved about their loved one’s quirks and be healing when reviewed after the funeral. These pages often feature guestbooks where visitors can sign in, write condolences, and record memories.

Privacy and Security

Digital technologies have advanced more rapidly than any innovation in the last few decades, paving the way for virtual funerals. And while this is a blessing for many, privacy and security are key concerns for these very private moments. Since funerals include sensitive moments of grief and mourning, the privacy of the bereaved needs to be protected during the ceremony. Access to the live stream and recordings should be restricted to the guest list.

A ceremony or service at a funeral home or memorial garden uses funeral-specific platforms that offer enhanced privacy and security for the attendees. This means all attendees must provide their first and last names and a valid email address in order to view the ceremony. It’s also a good idea for attendees to log on about ten minutes early so they can troubleshoot any issues without disturbing the service and other guests. Online guests will be able to sign a virtual guest book and leave a message for the family, letting them know they attended the live stream.

If you want to learn more about funeral live-streaming options at The Gardens of Boca Raton, contact us today.