The Importance of Live Streaming Funerals

In today's interconnected world, the ability to stay connected with loved ones during significant life events has never been more crucial. One such event, where connection and presence are deeply felt, is a funeral. Traditionally, attending a funeral in person has been the primary way to offer support and say goodbye. However, live streaming funerals has emerged as a valuable service, providing numerous benefits for families and friends who cannot attend in person. Here, we discuss the importance of live streaming funerals and how it can bring comfort and connection during difficult times.

Bridging the Distance

One of the most significant benefits of live streaming funerals is the ability to bridge the physical distance between loved ones. In an era where families often live in different cities, countries, or even continents, it can be challenging for everyone to gather in one place. Live streaming allows friends and family from around the world to attend the service virtually, ensuring that no one is left out due to geographical constraints. The Guardian discusses how live-streamed funerals have changed during COVID-19.

Read the full article on our blog: The Importance of Live Streaming Funerals

It was a privilege to be the funeral videographer and capture the final farewell of Roy John Battersby, a distinguished British television director whose legacy spans iconic drama productions like "Between The Lines," "Inspector Morse," "Cracker," and "A Touch of Frost." His remarkable career, beginning with documentary features for BBC programs like "Tomorrow's World" and "Towards Tomorrow," solidified his place in the annals of television history.

I had the privilege of filming the funeral of Benjamin Zephaniah

As a funeral videographer, I consider it an extraordinary privilege to film and capture the intimate moments of people's lives, especially during their most poignant and challenging times. To document the shared memories of those who have departed is an incredible responsibility and something I am extremely passionate about. Such a privilege became profoundly evident when I was entrusted to film the private funeral of Benjamin Zephaniah, a renowned British Jamaican poet, writer, and animal rights activist.

As Derbyshire Funeral Videographers we filmed the inspiring pirate-themed funeral of YouTube star "Captain" Kori Stovell on Wednesday at All Saints Church in Ripley, Derbyshire. Working alongside Funeral Directors at Archway Funeral Services, we filmed the whole day for the family with the aim of providing a video for all of Kori's Youtube followers, to show his amazing send-off.

Filming a Colourful Nigerian Funeral in London - Mill Hill Cemetery

As a Funeral Videographer, Filming a Funeral can be a beautiful opportunity to capture the essence of someone's life and legacy as family and friends gather to say goodbye. A few days ago I had the privilege of filming a Nigerian funeral at St Andrews Church in London, followed by the internment at Mill Hill Cemetery and the wake at Sacred Heart Church. This was a celebration of life, full of colors, tributes, and music, and I was honored to be part of it.

It was an early morning as me and my team headed down to cover both the Funeral Photography and Funeral Videography for the Dube Family at Hollybrook Cemetery in Southampton. It was such a lovely funeral with amazing Gospel singing during the service and Graveside burial. A lovely family and here are some of the images from the day to give you a feel for what we do.

Sikh Funeral at Slough Crematorium & Slough Gurdwara Singh Sabha

A few days ago I had the privilege of providing the Funeral Videography for a Sikh Funeral at Slough Crematorium and the Gurdwara Singh Sabha Slough. I spent the day capturing everything this beautiful family, the details, the tributes, tears and laughter, everything that made the day what it was as they said goodbye to someone who would be greatly missed.

It was nice to be back at Randalls Park Crematorium again in Surrey yesterday. I was there a lot throughout the pandemic Live Streaming Funerals for Families as the venue didn’t have the facilities at the time. This time I was back to capture the funeral in the main crematorium through normal Filming. The family wanted a high quality copy of the funeral to share with friends and family. Normal filming gives you this opportunity, to film everything in 4K, inside and outside and to capture details in much more clarity and with much more creativity than what Funeral Streaming would allow.

The coffin was carried down by the Pallbearers and Funeral Director on a Hand Cart followed by Family and friends. It’s always a challenge to film this moment from lots of different angles without being too intrusive, but it was really important to the family to capture the essence of this part of the Funeral. I had already been filming lots of details such as drone shots alone the canopy of the forest ready to set the scene and lead up to these moments. The whole service was beautifully done, with some singing, a reading, tributes and touching music played in the background at various moments. Once the coffin had been lowered then flowers were sprinkled in the grave while music was played in the background on an instrument which I have never seen before, but sounded amazing.

This funeral took place in Whitby, North Yorkshire at the Church of St Mary’s which is situated right next to Whitby Abbey. St Mary’s is a Norman church built in 1110 and the interior was pretty unique. The pews were the tallest I have ever seen and I’ve been to hundreds of Churches during my time as a Wedding Videographer and Funeral Videographer. This made it quite difficult to see anyone once seated and the pulpit was really high up, so I had a few challenges with regards to filming positions to overcome. Luckily I had arrived nice and early giving me plenty of time to set up and make the most of the scenery.

Whilst most of our work of late has been live streaming, here’s a funeral we filmed a couple of days ago for the lovely Steve Mead, whom I had the privilege to meet last year and who’s life was cut short by this dreaded disease.

His Funeral took place at Greenacres Chiltern Cemetery & Woodland Burial Site set in 72 Acres of beautiful woodland. This was the perfect setting to celebrate his life and the journey into the forest where he was buried and surrounded by nature was truly beautiful.

On a wet and windy day, the friends and family of Joan arrived at All Saints Church in Hampton, London to celebrate her life. All Saints is a very beautiful and friendly church. Whilst setting up one of the ladies made me a nice cup of tea and showed me around. Soon freinds and family arrived and made their way into the Church as the dark clouds rolled in. Just as the Hearse arrived the heavens really opened up and the rain came down really hard.

The rain was relentless as Joan’s coffin was carried into the church. I managed to find a relatively dry spot under a tree where I could take photos from. The tributes led by the family were really beautiful and once the service was over we headed off to South West Middlesex Crematorium (Hanworth Crematorium) for the final blessings.

It was a long journey to this beautiful part of the country for a Funeral in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. The family had asked us to cover both video and Photography for the whole day. This included the Hearse arriving at the Family Home, the Church service, the burial at Clacton Cemetery and the Wake. It was a really busy day for me and my team (Roshni & Dave) with all the different locations and often very little time to pull our equipment down and set up again, whilst making sure we captured everything on behalf of the family. Luckily the weather was on our side with nice blue sky’s which was especially good when we were outside for the Burial at Clacton Cemetery. So here are a few photos of the day, with the aim of giving you an idea for what we do. A huge thank you to the family for inviting us and making us feel so welcome on the day.