Funerals online gain traction

There is a growing trend of crematoriums offering live-streaming of funeral services in the UK with millennials more open to the idea of attending the last rites of loved ones ‘online’ than older people, according to a survey in the UK.

The survey conducted by Royal London, an insurance company in the UK, has found that one-third of the adults between the ages of 18 and 34 would have no problem “attending” a ceremony virtually, compared with just 23 per cent of those between the ages of 35 and 54. The figures suggest that the trend is growing rapidly. Data released last October suggested that just one in five crematoriums could offer the service.

However, growing demand means half of funeral directors can now live-stream services online, The Telegraph reported. The new survey suggested that its popularity might be limited to younger people.

The trend, however, is dividing mourners, with almost 50 per cent saying they would rather not watch at all an online broadcast of a loved-one’s memorial. A discreet video camera can be set up to film a funeral, which is then broadcast online on a password-protected site for mourners who could not attend. The practice has raised concerns that lazy mourners might use the technology as an excuse not to attend a funeral.