live streaming funerals

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https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/techn ... 21991df4b8

The number of Australians opting to watch funerals online instead of attending in person has more than doubled in the past year.

Chapels are being fitted with cameras to live-stream farewells so guests can tune in from afar.

Big name funerals like Aretha Franklin and George W. Bush Snr were live-streamed to huge audiences last year, but there’s also demand for smaller occasions to be watchable online.

According to funeral streaming provider OneRoom, in 2018 about 4500 people tuned into a virtual funeral for a friend or relative using their service, up from 2000 in 2017.

In late January, Samuel Raydan organised a live-stream to be available for family in Lebanon who were unable to make it to his brother-in-law Mohammad’s funeral.

Mohammad tragically passed away last month after a fight with leukaemia.

OneRoom live-streams have been watched in 163 countries, and here most watchers hail from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne but there’s also plenty of rural viewers.

60 per cent of the global audience comes from New Zealand while 17 per cent are in Australia.

OneRoom CEO David Lutterman said a third watch live and two thirds watch later, due to time zone demands.

57 per cent watch on mobile devices and the rest on computers.

Mr Lutterman said tuning in via live-stream was a way for people to resolve grief and also guilt of not being able to attend a funeral.

Angel Winsor used live-stream from hospital in Canada, as she gave birth shortly after she lost a close friend.

She was able to watch the funeral on a tablet from the recovery room.

Gold Coasters Jillian and Roy Fallon wrote of their experience as watchers.

“We felt like we were there with his wife, family and friends to say goodbye. The wonders of technology are truly positive at times like this,” they told OneRoom afterwards.

Nationally, OneRoom is used in more than 100 locations including White Lady and Le Pine in Dandenong.


I understand the tyranny of distance and age and the cost involved...

but if it just involves a 2 hour car journey to show your respects I am sure most families appreciate the show of kindness they receive as they farewell a loved one... I hope this doesnt catch on! it would tell me its the height of laziness.......

[The Mechanic]

I don't like to bother people, so I would opt for a direct cremation like David Bowie

Once I die, go directly to the crematorium, burnt to ashes, and scatter them on the ocean - or in the garden - im not that fussy

[Black Orchid]

I am not very traditional with things like this. When I go I would prefer just the immediate family to see me off into the incinerator and make it short and sweet.

Same with weddings, the shorter the better.