Funeral Webcasts - What are your thoughts?
I am not sure what I think about what a Northern Ireland undertaker is offering, which I read on Engadget. Here are the
details
“Northern Ireland undertaker Jim Clarke has added a macabre new feature to their funeral services: webcasting. The bereaved now have the (thankfully free) option of enabling live streams from a network of webcams and mics recently installed by S Clarke and Son Funeral Directors in local funeral homes and churches. “Our internet option means [mourners] get to become part of a grieving process they might have missed out on. … The pictures are so clear that people watching can see the faces of everyone in the crowd, and hear everything clearly, so they can spot relatives they might not have seen in years.”
I can see why this may be a good thing for some people, but I am not sure that it something that I would have wanted. What do you think?
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POSTED IN: Pragmatic Issues
5 opinions for Funeral Webcasts - What are your thoughts?
Tiffany
Mar 15, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I don’t like it either, it seams so impersonal to watch a funeral.
Sam
Mar 15, 2007 at 7:54 pm
I agree that it probably is not for everyone, but in some cases it could be a very valuable tool. I was in South Africa when my uncle died in a car accident nearly two decades ago (he was in Virginia). I simply was not able to make it back home in time to attend his service.
And for years afterwards I would have the most vivid dreams of him being alive - I would tell him “They told me you died” and he would just shrug his shoulders or explain away the mistake. When I woke up from these dreams I would be terribly depressed to find that yes, in fact, he had died.
And I think the dreams were a function of me not being able to experience his passing at a burial rite. I just had difficulty internalizing it. Perhaps I didn’t (and still don’t) want to believe that he died. And maybe a webcast wouldn’t have helped me believe either, but I if I had the chance to view the ceremony from South Africa, I certainly would have.
Gayle
Mar 16, 2007 at 6:42 am
I really can’t see this helping with the grieving process because it is so impersonal. Maybe for some people, but it definitely wouldn’t work for me! An alternative might be to videotape the service and make the tape available to any friends or family members who can’t make it, and would like to view the service? Although that does seem rather creepy and macabre, too…
anna
Mar 16, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Isn’t it funny how we all react. I think it is great if it helps someone, and I can see if you are away that it may help in some way to bring some finality. I agree with Gayle I am not sure it would work for me..but one thing I have learned is that grief is very personal and it is finding what works for you. Thanks for your comments
Widows Quest » Personal Grief
Mar 16, 2007 at 1:37 pm
[…] When I posted last night about the funeral webcasts I felt uncomfortable, somehow the idea was not one that felt right to me. When you read the comments you realise that each one of us are different. Each circumstance is personal and what feels right to one, does not necessarily fit for another. Grief is very much a personal issue and one that you need to cope with in the way that is best for you - for me blogging is part of that process, no doubt others would feel strange sharing their inner most feelings with the world! […]
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