Apr 07 2008
online funerals?
A new concept which means people would not have to be physically present at a funeral to take part, is being met with scepticism by the Catholic Church. A Lower Hutt funeral director believes online funerals are the way of the future and the company has installed web cameras in one of its chapels. The concept involves people who cannot attend a funeral, entering in a password into their computer and watching the service of a loved one on the internet.
Read about it here.
[From me]
What’s next online weddings? Oh, maybe an online baptism too!
What do you think?
13 responses so far
I think we’re going to be seeing more of this type of thing - not less. If you would have ever told there would be online churches and/or worship services 10 years ago - I would not have believed you. Have real mixed thoughts on this one.
Camey’s last blog post..The Encourager.
Camey,
Online church is one thing. But how do you extend sympathy via the net? Just wondering.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..online funerals?
Kevin,
When my daddy passed on back in 06 - I had numerous individuals send me text messages, emails, messages thru myspace and etc. Even though they were not with me in person did not mean that their sympathies were any less real. They merely could not be here in the flesh. In some ways, I received more comfort from those individuals than the ones who were looking me in the face.
I think it would depend upon which individuals are involved. Otherwise - that could be really weird.
Camey’s last blog post..The Encourager.
Excellent point. I guess for those out of town it works great. Actually, the more I think about it it makes sense.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..online funerals?
I think we ought to just digitize folks and then .. when they die .. they could be archived instead of buried.
Hmmm .. you could visit their last resting place wherever there was Wi-Fi. You might even be able to download them to a thumb drive and take them with you.
Unless they were really fat.
The mind boggles …..
Bob Cleveland’s last blog post..Because I Don’t Know Any Better I Want To
Bob,
It is a different world isn’t it? 15 years ago I wouldn’t have gotten to know you without the internet. But I got to meet you and have talked with you via phone because of the relationship we built here and on your site. Pretty cool.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..online funerals?
I think since we live in such a global world, having an opportunity to attend a funeral of a family member or close friend via a secure website would be a nice option. I have many friends who are making disciples globally and couldn’t get home at a moment’s notice for a funeral but would like to see the service. Many funeral homes already have online condolence pages so this really isn’t that far-out of an idea.
Let’s all join in a rousing chorus of “We … be-looong .. to a mu-tu-al ….. ad-mi-ra-tion so-ci-e-ty”
Oh. I forgot. You’re all in your infancy. You probably don’t remember that one.
Bob Cleveland’s last blog post..Because I Don’t Know Any Better I Want To
But seriously, Kevin, what you say is most true. I wouldn’t know CB without the internet and blogdom, and I don’t have a better friend than he. Not to mention all the other guys I’ve gotten to know like Dwight McKissic, Ben Cole, Art Rogers, Wade B, Paul B, Debbie, Alycelee, Les P, Tim Rogers. And the others I’m forgetting cuz I’m old.
Wow. kind of helps to stop and count the blessings now and then, doesn’t it?
Bob Cleveland’s last blog post..Because I Don’t Know Any Better I Want To
I don’t know about infancy Bob. Some of the dear older women in my life think I’m having a mid-life crisis because of how I’m wearing my hair lately! I kid you not. I’ll be 40 next Tuesday and embracing it with open arms. Others do call me kid though in a daughter sort of way not age wise. What are you 100? lol
Angie makes great points as well about those globally and funeral homes.
For those of us living ministry… our friends and family at times can be hundreds/thousands of miles away. I think the idea of online funerals has great value. Again…. depending upon who is involved and how it is handled. Now Bob’s got me singing Count Your Blessings. Thanks Bob!
Camey’s last blog post..Little Girl Unseen.
I think this is a great idea, my Dad is in a nursing home and would never be able to travel. For someone like him it would be a way for him to be able to pay his last respects and feel he is a part of the funeral.
It would be great if there was a small screen that would list people who are viewing so others will know they are there as well. Just a thought
…I am not sure this is such a bad idea either. There are plenty of events I would like to attend, but are unable to for one reason or another. Having the option of viewing it live online would be the next best thing.
fred’s last blog post..Matt Boone’s Blog?
I’ll be sending this article on to others. It is a very interesting and overall simple concept, yet I do have some thoughts.
What could/would a funeral home charge for this service? I kinda think it would be better if the viewer had to pay instead of the family.
Will it effect the amount of flowers that are given?
A list of viewers could be made for the family to go in the register book.
The service could still be done even if it was a cremation memorial, so no money lost for the funeral home.
If a graveside service is done, it could be recorded, uploaded, and send to those who had paid to see the service.
Many smaller churches wouldn’t have the set up for this so it would mean less services at the church building.
There are already weddings done online. It wouldn’t bother me to show baptisms online more as well…more than the kid cannonballing in to the water.