Online funeral streaming 

What is funeral live streaming?

Funeral live streaming is a way to broadcast a funeral or memorial service online so that friends and family who can't be there in person can still take part. It's a relatively recent practice, but since the COVID-19 pandemic it's become way more common, as more people got used to using video conferencing.

The benefits of funeral live streaming

In today's interconnected world, live streaming funerals has become a meaningful way to include family and friends who cannot attend in person. Whether due to distance, health concerns, or other limitations, live streaming ensures everyone can pay their respects and celebrate the life of a loved one.

In Australia in particular, there's a lot of space, so getting to a funeral on late notice isn't always feasible. A tonne of Aussies are also living abroad, which is great for them in a particularly difficult time. Live streaming also provides a lasting digital record for those who might want to revisit the service later.

Funeral Homes Offering Live Streaming Services

Many Australian funeral homes now offer live streaming as part of their packages. For example, White Lady Funerals provides professional streaming services, ensuring high-quality video and audio for remote attendees. Other providers, such as InvoCare and Tobin Brothers, also offer similar options.

These services are often tailored to your needs, whether you're hosting a traditional funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life. They typically include a secure link to share with guests, ensuring privacy and ease of access. They tend to be relatively inexpensive, as the gear is already set up and ready to go.

Local streaming companies

If your chosen venue doesn't offer streaming, or if the funeral is in a local church, retirement home or somewhere outdoors, you'll need help from a streaming company. Providers like Funeral Live Stream Australia and Memorial Streaming Services specialise in setting up live streams for funerals.

These companies can handle everything from equipment setup to technical support, ensuring a seamless experience. They often work closely with funeral directors to coordinate the service and accommodate specific requests.

A dedicated funeral streaming company will likely charge more than the add on services offered by funeral homes, because it's a more custom job. However, you might be saving money having the memorial at a cheaper location, which can offset the cost.

How Much Does Live Streaming a Funeral Cost?

The cost of live streaming a funeral can vary depending on the provider and the complexity of the setup. Professional quotes will generally include a secure link for guests, technical support, and sometimes a recording of the service. Always confirm what's included to avoid unexpected fees. Here are some rough estimates based on quotes we found online:

• Funeral home streaming services: Many funeral homes, such as White Lady Funerals and Tobin Brothers, include live streaming as part of their packages. These services typically cost between $200 and $1,000, depending on the level of customization and technical support required. This is on top of the price of the funeral itself.
• Local streaming companies: If your venue doesn't offer streaming, local providers like Funeral Live Stream Australia or Memorial Streaming Services can set up a custom stream. These services usually range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on equipment, location, and duration.
• Do it yourself: Technically, all you need to stream a funeral is a phone with an internet connection, which you probably have in your pocket. However, this is a fraught option that we'd not recommend, for reasons outlined below.

Can you stream a funeral yourself?

It's totally possible to set up your own funeral stream, but it's probably a bad idea. There are a lot of things you'll want to get right in order to make it a good experience for viewers, including:

• Good audio: It's really important to have a microphone on the speaker, as well as a direct feed of any songs that are playing in the hall. An ambience
• Good audio: It's really important to have a microphone on the speaker, as well as a direct feed of any songs that are playing in the hall. An ambience microphone, or just the microphone on a phone or camera, isn't good enough. It'll make viewers feel really disconnected.

microphone, or just the microphone on a phone or camera, isn't good enough. It'll make viewers feel really disconnected.

• Good video: Having a clean, high quality feed of the venue will make sure viewers feel connected. A phone camera might be okay, but it's much better to have a high quality broadcast camera with a good zoom lens, so that it can be located at the back of the venue, out of the way of the in-person guests.
• Good tech: You'll need to setup a video conference ahead of time that is secure and easily accessible. That means you'll probably need to pay for a one off zoom meeting. You'll also need to have great internet connection from the venue, plus have someone operating the stream.

Keep in mind that if you're a friend or relative of the deceased, you'll also probably be having a tough time. Funerals aren't known to be especially fun affairs. All that to say, if you want to stream a funeral, pay someone to do it properly.

Planning Ahead with Funeral Insurance

Live streaming services, while invaluable, can add to the overall cost of a funeral. This is where funeral insurance can help. By planning ahead, you can ensure that your loved ones aren't burdened with unexpected expenses. Funeral insurance can cover costs like live streaming, venue hire, and other arrangements, giving you peace of mind.

If you're considering funeral insurance, it's worth comparing policies to find one that suits your needs. Use our funeral insurance comparison tool to explore your options and secure the right coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does it cost to live stream a funeral?

  Costs vary depending on the provider and complexity of the setup. Funeral homes may include it in their packages, while local companies typically charge between $200 and $1,000.

• Can I live stream a funeral from any location?

  Yes, local streaming companies can set up services in churches, outdoor locations, retirement homes, or other venues, provided there's a stable internet connection.

• Is live streaming a funeral secure?

  Most providers offer secure, private links to ensure only invited guests can access the stream. Always confirm privacy measures with your chosen provider.

• Can I record the live stream for later viewing?

  Many services offer recording options, allowing you to save the stream for future viewing. Check with your provider to confirm this feature.

• Does funeral insurance cover live streaming costs?

  Some funeral insurance policies may cover live streaming as part of funeral expenses. Review your policy or compare options to find one that includes this service.

Written by

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio

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