How much does a funeral cost?
Understand how much you might have to pay for a funeral and discover how to save on costs.
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It's a particularly tough time to lose a loved one. Current restrictions and coronavirus concerns are forcing families to make choices about funerals they haven't faced before. It's not ideal, but online funeral services can provide some much-needed closure. Most importantly, it ensures that people are able to pay their respects and honour their loved ones.
When you book an online funeral service, video cameras are mounted at strategic and respectful positions in the chapel. When the funeral begins, the cameras start to live stream the service over the Internet so those who can't attend can watch everything as it happens. The service is usually recorded at the same time.
💡Good to know: You'll usually be able to access the recording after the funeral, so you can watch the recorded version online at a more convenient time.
There are a few ways you can live stream funeral services, it generally depends on how the funeral provider operates and which option feels right for you:
Live streaming a funeral can add to the overall cost of a funeral and can set you back as little as $80 or more than $1,500, depending on the set-up. How much you'll pay depends on how you choose to live stream your funeral service.
If you're on a budget then streaming the funeral over Facebook Live or Zoom could save you money, provided you already have a phone, tablet or laptop to use. Remember to check if your chosen funeral home allows you to do this.
If you're looking for a mid-range option, funeral homes set their own rates but can charge anywhere between $80 and $350 to live stream the service for you.
For a professional set-up, online funeral services like Tasteful Transitions charge upwards of $750. This usually includes live streaming from 3 different angles, a DVD recording in a leather case and USB drive and digital photographs of the service. For $1,650 (+ GST), Event Video Production provides 1 videographer, 2 cameras, multiple microphones and a live stream operator.
If you're worried about adding to the cost of a funeral in the future, you might consider planning ahead with funeral insurance which can help cover costs such as funeral streaming.
Several funeral providers now allow you to watch the funeral live online from your laptop or computer and many funeral homes have their own streaming service.
You'll normally receive a link to a page that streams the service. You can forward this to your family and friends so that they can view the service as well. The live stream is sometimes from 1 central camera, though others may have more than 1. Live streaming usually starts around 10 minutes before the funeral or memorial commences.
Some will also provide a DVD and USB drive containing all the photos and video. With a USB drive, you can make copies for family and friends.
As it's a relatively new space, there aren't many official streaming services. A few services that we found available are:
OneRoom is a video recording platform that specialises in funeral services. It's available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and has streamed and recorded funeral services for hundreds of thousands of online guests. It allows you to watch the funeral service live if you are unable or not allowed to attend. It's also recorded so you can watch it later.
OneRoom stores the video recording online and you can access the stream with a password, allowing you to share with your family members and friends.
It's easy to let family members and friends know that they can join the online stream by following these steps:
Planning for future funeral expenses? Find out what plans are available in Australia.
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We took a look at a popular brand's funeral insurance product to see how much it might cost.
If you're a pensioner and are planning your funeral expenses, then you should consider getting a funeral insurance policy.
After funeral insurance for the family? Compare quotes from Australian insurers.
How do i get into a video of a funeral ceremony today I have lost the link from my desk top? I am too sick to go to the ceremony at Turner Funeral Home Dundas On. Sorry about twice
Hi Ellen,
I’m very sorry to hear about your experience.
Typically, the organisers of the funeral will provide you with the link (and sometimes a password) so that you can watch the funeral online. A recording of the service might also be available. I suggest that you reach out to the organisers to ask for this information so you could access the live stream.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
James