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UK offers virtual funerals
One of the only times travel sucks is when you have to for a dear one's funeral. In our chaotic lives these days, unless it's very close family or friends, it's tough to be able to travel cross-continent just to pay respect to someone dear who has died.The UK has a solution for this: overseas mourners of deceased family or friends in Britain will no longer need to feel bad that they cannot fly in for the funeral as they can now watch it on a live web cast.
The initiative is the brain child of bereavement music company Wesley Music and can be availed of for a one time fee of £75. The funeral web cast will be live from a camera at the chapel, and to view the funeral you will be given a special access password.
Although criticized by many, I personally think it's a great service -- especially if you live in a different country -- as you can be part of a funeral not only mentally and spiritually, but 'visually' as well, almost as good as being there, no?
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Filed under: Europe, United Kingdom, Internet Tools, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cruise1234 Apr 5th 2008 8:07PM
I think it's a wonderful idea...
especially for home bound people
who can't get out to visit in person.
There are so many elderly seniors who
could avail themselves of this service as well.
I do think they could get the costs down to
accomodate these people however.
The costs seems a little high.
Dayle Apr 5th 2008 8:15PM
A great idea. For so many people who cannot attend a funeral - for whatever reason -- this still gives everyone to say "good-bye" and be part of a service.
Diane Donais Apr 6th 2008 12:04AM
It is a very good idea. Last year (May 2007) when our sister Chris died, we used the skype program to have a live web cast from her funeral in Wisconsin to our brother in Perth Australia. Joe (our brother) was able to participate in the funeral and we were able to share the time with him. The skype program is free and we used the internet connection at our church and equipment from a family member so it didn't cost any additional fee.
Susan Apr 5th 2008 9:39PM
It's a great idea. It's not an idea that'll replace regular services. It's in addition to the funeral service and it's purpose is to accommodate everyone possible.
Mickey Apr 5th 2008 9:39PM
Awesome idea!!!
Just Me In NC Apr 5th 2008 10:02PM
Beautiful idea. It also would help people to take out the awkwardness when there has been disputes in families and you are torn about going to the funeral homes or funerals themselves. That way no one is putting themselves in a bad position. Having this really does cover a lot of different senerios. I sure wish I had of come up with this idea. I think what the person was meaning in the article about the pricing was it was to reflect in the funeral cost and possibly not to the actual viewer.
LAbbott123 Apr 5th 2008 10:17PM
I already have zombies living with me.
Mel Apr 5th 2008 10:28PM
I think this is a terrific idea being a military spouse and having military friends, we are unable to attend funerals of fallen soldiers out of state, but with if it was viirtual then we would be able to and we would also still be showing the spouse support at the same time, which is definately needed at a time like this!
mike n Apr 5th 2008 11:35PM
The more shows I can watch on my I-Pod Classic, the more I can justify owning it. It's not just for music.
Sierra Apr 6th 2008 12:45AM
I think this is a very rude and unconsiderate way to say a good-bye to a dear friend. If that person means so mush to you then you should be able make time and go to their funeral and say your last good-byes in person. We need to respect our dead relatives.
Jane Apr 6th 2008 5:19AM
You really are kind of cruel...the lady across from me brother died....since she is 90 years old there was no way she could travel 1,000 miles to get to his funeral. She was very upset and wanted to go so much. Something like this would have helped her so much. And the way plane tickets are today how many people can afford it?
Em Apr 6th 2008 5:29AM
That is such a good idea. I'm a UK expat, and I know that there could be a time one day when a loved one dies in the UK, and I can't fly back, even though I would do everything possible to show up in person. Just knowing that there is this option is very important to me.
Pixie Apr 7th 2008 5:17AM
WHEN THEY'RE DEAD, THEY DON'T GIVE A HOOT IF YOU SHOW UP FOR THEIR FUNERAL OR NOT. BE REALISTIC HERE. YOU GO SO YOU CAN "SHOW" EVERYONE HOW MUCH YOU CARED ABOUT THE DEAD ONE AND HOW HORRIBLY SAD AND MISERABLE YOU ARE NOW. WHEN PEOPLE DIE, IT'S JUST A PITY POOR ME PARTY, MOST WEEPING DONE IS FOR YOU AND NOT FOR THE PATHETIC DEAD ONE. PLUS, YA GOTTA BE THERE TO SEE IF THE DEAD BUZZARD OR BUZZARDETTE LEFT YA SOMETHING SO YOU CAN HIT THEIR HOUSE SOONER THAN THE OTHER'S CAN SO YOU CAN GRAB YOUR PRIZE AND GIT OUT QUICK. I'VE NEVER BEEN AMONGST SO MANY FAKE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE THAN WHEN I'VE BEEN AT FUNERALS. I LIKE TO VISIT THE GRAVE AFTER THE PERSON IS BURIED, THEN IT'S THE TIME TO SAY THE FINAL GOODBYE TO THEM. JUST YOU, THEIR GRAVE, THE QUIET PEACE THAT YOU HAVE SO YOUR THOUGHTS OF THEM WILL BE LOVING HAPPY ONES.
Katerina Apr 6th 2008 8:13AM
What a brilliant idea! If the deceased is a rather distant relative, one does not necessarily wish to spend the time and money to travel too far for a funeral.
Mikey Apr 7th 2008 10:31PM
So, could I just send 'virtual boquet of flowers' then? I hope you like the flowers Auntie Betty, it's 8 dozen roses I photoshoped!!