How to plan a virtual funeral

Funeral live streaming platforms 

Some of the video conferencing platforms you could consider for a virtual memorial service include: 

• Zoom. On the free version, you can invite up to 100 participants to a Zoom funeral. Your funeral can be password protected and includes the ability to send messages. However, the free version of Zoom only allows 40 minutes of live streaming. 
  
  
• Google Meet. An easy-to-use video conferencing platform. Anyone with a Google account can create an online funeral live stream for up to 60 minutes – and a maximum of 100 participants.
   
• Microsoft Teams. On the free version you can schedule an event and invite up to 100 participants, which can last up to 60 minutes.There are no recording features or transcription on the free version.

There are other paid options that you can explore if you need a longer streaming time or want to invite more participants. 

How to arrange a virtual funeral 

Whether you’re live streaming a funeral or hosting an online-only event, there are steps you can take to ensure the occasion goes to plan. 

To help you navigate your virtual funeral successfully, we’ve outlined some suggestions for how to do a Zoom funeral – or whichever platform you choose – so that you can focus on paying your respects and supporting the family when they need you most. 

1). Choose your software 

As we’ve covered, there are a variety of platforms that allow you to watch a funeral online, so it’s best to confirm which one you will need to have installed on your computer well in advance. Consider how long your ceremony will be, and how many mourners wish to attend, as this will affect whether or not you opt for a free version or a paid plan.  

2). Visit the venue 

If you’re planning to live stream a funeral from the venue, you might want to contact them or visit the facility to check whether it’s suitable for a video broadcast. This could include assessing the speakers, lighting and other technical support. You may also want to check whether the venue already has a preferred videoconferencing platform that they’re set up to use. 

3). Familiarise yourself with the tech 

Before the service, it’s a good idea to figure out how the video software works, which will mean less anxiety on the day. What do you have to click on to join a virtual funeral? How do you mute your microphone or turn on your camera? It may be a good idea to send out clear written instructions to attendees so that everyone knows how to access the stream without any stress. 

4). Create some content 

Before the virtual funeral begins, you might wish to customise a presentation with a slideshow of images and videos, or an order of events. You could gather content from friends and relatives, and if needed, reach out for help with creating the slideshow. 

5). Rehearse what you’ll say 

Practice makes perfect, and making sure you’ve rehearsed any slides, and what you plan on saying at the virtual funeral, means it could be less stressful when the event kicks off. While there is no substitute for the emotion of the day itself, you may find it reassuring to run through your planned remarks, perhaps in the presence of someone you trust. 

6). Get there early 

On the day itself, make sure you’re set up and ready to go in plenty of time. You don’t want to run into any technical issues or vital software updates ten minutes before the service is about to start. You should ensure your device is carefully positioned on a desk or lectern, and can receive sound clearly, with a clear shot of anyone who will be making speeches.  

7). Remove distractions 

It may prove distracting if guests are trying to log on during the event. You might be willing to wait a certain amount of time for people who are having trouble logging on, but your written instructions to guests could help keep those numbers down and ensure things are as stress-free as possible for everyone. 

Alternatively, if you’re hosting a memorial ceremony from home, remember to turn your phone off, and perhaps stick a ‘do not disturb’ note on the front door so you won’t have to worry about any unintentional interruptions. 

8). Record the online funeral service 

One great feature of videoconferencing platforms is that you can record and download a meeting. This gives you the chance to create a nice memento by recording the virtual funeral, which family members and well-wishers can keep as a memento and re-watch in later years. Just remember to press the ‘record’ button when the funeral starts. 

9). Turn your microphone off 

Unless you’re speaking, take a moment to ensure your microphone is turned off, and ask the guests to do the same. A lot of people don’t realise just how sensitive computer microphones can be, and it won’t be comforting for anyone if all they can hear is background noise over the service. 

10). Be mindful when using the chat feature 

Some participants may want to use the chat feature to share any words of condolence, but it’s a good idea to stay away from any one-to-one messages. This will distract from the event itself, and it can be far too easy to accidentally send a message to the entire group when it’s meant for one person. 

Ways to make an online-only virtual funeral special 

If the funeral or memorial is an online-only event, here are some ways you can create a sense of togetherness and make everyone feel involved. 

• Create a playlist. There may be a particular song that you can play for the online attendees, or you could share a playlist of tunes that reminds you of the dearly departed. 
• Light candles. One idea for a poignant virtual funeral is to ask guests to bring a candle they can light together at a designated moment, which can give everyone at home a sense of involvement. 
• Include readings. You may wish to invite guests to read a passage from a book, or a poem, which captures the essence of the deceased. Make sure that any readers know how to mute and unmute themselves before and after their reading. 
• Raise a glass. Ask guests in advance to have a drink prepared so at the end of your virtual memorial, you could invite everyone to join in a toast to the departed person.