Funeral live streaming FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Can I live stream a funeral for free?
Yes! You can use platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom to live stream your funeral services for free. Check out our guide here to learn how you can live stream on those platforms.
However, while these platforms are free, they come with limitations. The biggest challenge funeral homes face when using social media for live streaming is copyright enforcement. If copyrighted music plays during the service, the stream can be muted or even blocked entirely—sometimes in the middle of the ceremony.
Many funeral homes come to Forget Me Not Ceremonies after experiencing these frustrations. Our platform is designed specifically for funeral services, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted live streams without the risk of audio muting or video takedowns. After all, if a stream is disrupted, it’s hard to say it was truly free.
Do I need to record with another device in case we lose internet?
It depends what platform you’re using. Facebook and YouTube can’t save a local recording so, whatever was streamed is what will be saved. We strongly recommend setting up a separate device in case this happens.
Zoom can save a local backup, just make sure you enable that option before you go live (you will need to do this for every live stream.
Forget Me Not Ceremonies automatically saves a local backup so the event will be recorded no matter what happens to your internet connection.
Will live streaming affect the attendance of the in-person service?
Those who join the live stream are typically not able to attend the funeral in person due to finances, health, or geography.
The live stream actually ends up being a value-add for your in-person guests as well. Over 14% of surveyed virtual guests indicate that they actually attended the in-person event and watched the recording.
How do I share the recording with the family?
Forget Me Not Ceremonies keeps the recording live for 120 days so family and friends can come back and rewatch whenever they want.
How fast does my internet need to be to live stream a funeral?
We recommend at least a 4 Mbps upload speed for live streaming on a mobile device.
If you use our fixed-camera systems, we require at least a 15 Mbps upload speed.
Why don’t I just record the service and not live stream?
This is certainly an option.
Live streamed events allow virtual guests to have a shared experience with in-person guests in real-time. This can help family and friends feel more connected and create a sense of community.
Can guests chat live or participate in any way?
Guests can chat live on Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom.
Using a funeral-specific platform like Forget Me Not Ceremonies offers more ways for guests to feel like they’re a part of the service. They can chat live, upload photos, and sign the guestbook. They can even download and view the service program just like they were there in your funeral home.
What do families think of live streaming funerals?
The families you serve at your funeral home love it – over 14% of our virtual guests are actually in-person guests that came back to watch the service.
Virtual guests love the opportunity to join the live stream with family and friends. Here’s some of the feedback they have shared after using Forget Me Not Ceremonies.
“The stream was perfect. I really felt a part of the celebration of her life.”
“Thank you. We live in Arizona and it was important for us to watch our cousin’s husband’s funeral service.”
“We are able to attend the streamed celebration and it was really well done. First time for an online funeral, but it certainly was a great option for so many family members who live so far away.”
“Thank you for making it possible for me to participate in the service for James. Beautiful service! I wasn’t able to make it up from Kitchener but thanks to you – you made it possible for me to be there.”
“The stream was perfect. I really felt a part of the celebration of her life.”
“We are able to attend the streamed celebration and it was really well done. First time for an online funeral, but it certainly was a great option for so many family members who live so far away.”
Conclusion
Live streaming funerals has become an essential way to bring family and friends together, no matter where they are. Whether you’re considering free platforms or a funeral-specific service like Forget Me Not Ceremonies, it’s important to choose an option that ensures a smooth, reliable experience for the families you serve.
We hope this FAQ answered your questions and helped you feel more confident about live streaming funeral services. If you’d like to learn more about how Forget Me Not Ceremonies can provide a seamless, professional live streaming experience, contact us today.
