onedef92
10-25-2012, 7:41am
Funeral home streams memorial services online
UPDATED 12:37 AM EDT Oct 24, 2012
DOVER, N.H. - A funeral home in Dover is using technology to allow family members from across the country to take part in funeral services in New Hampshire by livestreaming the services on the Internet.
Officials with Purdy Funeral Services said the service has been a tremendous success so far.
"Technology changes everything. It's in every business, and it's in the funeral business," Stephen Purdy said.
Jeannine Carney said the live webcast helped her incorporate her large extended family after the death of her father.
"It was a way for everybody to be here without actually being here," she said.
The new technology allows people to click on a video link that is listed below their loved one's obituary on the funeral home's website.
"Now they can be part of it in the comfort of their own home, and they can watch it live," Purdy said.
The video can also be viewed on the site after the service is over or put on a DVD. Privacy settings can be put in place at the family's discretion.
"You can be the administrator of that link to send it to whoever you want and give out that password so it doesn't have to be viewed all over the world. It can be a private thing if you wish it to be that way," Purdy said.
Carney said the decision to livestream her father's service was the best way to bring her family together to grieve. She said she has received several emails loved ones across the country thanking her for allowing them to be a part of it.
The service normally stays on the website for two weeks, but loved ones can donate money so that the service will stay online forever.
UPDATED 12:37 AM EDT Oct 24, 2012
DOVER, N.H. - A funeral home in Dover is using technology to allow family members from across the country to take part in funeral services in New Hampshire by livestreaming the services on the Internet.
Officials with Purdy Funeral Services said the service has been a tremendous success so far.
"Technology changes everything. It's in every business, and it's in the funeral business," Stephen Purdy said.
Jeannine Carney said the live webcast helped her incorporate her large extended family after the death of her father.
"It was a way for everybody to be here without actually being here," she said.
The new technology allows people to click on a video link that is listed below their loved one's obituary on the funeral home's website.
"Now they can be part of it in the comfort of their own home, and they can watch it live," Purdy said.
The video can also be viewed on the site after the service is over or put on a DVD. Privacy settings can be put in place at the family's discretion.
"You can be the administrator of that link to send it to whoever you want and give out that password so it doesn't have to be viewed all over the world. It can be a private thing if you wish it to be that way," Purdy said.
Carney said the decision to livestream her father's service was the best way to bring her family together to grieve. She said she has received several emails loved ones across the country thanking her for allowing them to be a part of it.
The service normally stays on the website for two weeks, but loved ones can donate money so that the service will stay online forever.