USING TECHNOLOGY TO PLAN FUNERALS
While traditional church
services still have a
place in many people’s
funeral plans, the onesize
fits-all approach to funeral
planning has undergone changes
in recent years.
Individuals and families of
the departed are more interested
in creating funeral experiences
that are personalized to
that person’s life.
Funeral home technology
makes it possible to provide
that experience in ways that are
both cost-effective and compatible
with other funeral plans, including
the traditional services
of a church or other organization.
Whether you’re making
your own funeral preparations
or putting together a plan for a
loved one, there are many ways
you can use technology to add
a personal touch to the experience,
while also benefiting the
friends and family who want to
pay their respects.
Here are five ways technology
can support your funeral
planning efforts and create an
experience that feels true to the
loved one lost.
Finding a funeral home
In the past, information
about funeral homes, like all
other businesses, was limited
to printed materials and advertisements.
The internet has changed
that experience completely.
Many funeral homes now
operate websites that discuss
their planning process, facilities
and their philosophy when
providing services and support
to their clients.1
You can also read online reviews
to find out about others’
experience with a given funeral
home, reviewing the stated
pros and cons to determine
which funeral home is a good
fit for you.
Always do your homework
before choosing a funeral
home—information is now
easy to find, and it will help you
make a well-informed choice.
Photo galleries
Pictures of a loved one’s life
are one of the best ways to add
personalization to a funeral
service.
Physical photos can be
TIMESLEDGER | Q 24 NS.COM | NOV. 5 - NOV. 11, 2021
scanned to create digital copies,
and these digital images
can be easily organized into
albums.
Your computer likely has
the software you need to create
a custom slideshow.
“Many funeral homes recognize
the growing demand
for photo galleries and slideshows,
and they offer TVs at
the funeral home to play these
slideshows before and after a
service, or even during a service
on a large projector,” said
Michael A. Lanotte, Executive
Director & CEO of the New
York State Funeral Directors
Association.
“If a slideshow is an important
personal preference, ask
a prospective funeral home
ahead of time what their policies
and procedures are in
terms of helping you put one
together.”
Live-streaming services
It’s not always practical or
possible for friends and family
of a loved one to travel long distances
to attend a funeral.
But the closure of a ceremony
can be very important to
those people.
Fortunately, live-streaming
services allow you to broadcast
a service online to a potentially
global audience, making sure everyone
can experience the funeral
regardless of their location.
Ask your funeral home if
they have any recommended
live-streaming providers
they’ve worked with in the
past.
Video eulogies
Similar to live-streaming
services, video eulogies are
an option for people who want
to speak at a friend or family
member’s funeral, but are unable
to be present for the service.
These video eulogies can be
easily played during a service
using the venue’s projector
screen and/or AV technology.
“In some cases, loved ones
present for the service may prefer
to deliver a video eulogy as
a way to avoid speaking in public,”
Lanotte said.
“Whether it’s due to stage
fright, concerns about losing
their composure, or other reasons,
these video eulogies allow
the speaker to deliver their
message regardless of whatever
limitations they may face.”
Online memorials
As friends and family seek
ways to memorialize their
loved one, online memorials
and crowdfunding offer userfriendly
options.
People can manage a virtual
remembrance page, organize
the delivery of flowers and
establish a donation fund that
can be delivered to an organization
in the decedent’s name.
Your funeral home will
likely have suggestions for
platforms that offer this service,
and they may have these
services built into their own
website.
Putting together funeral
plans can be emotionally taxing
and time-consuming, but
today’s technology makes it
easier to get exactly the experience
you and your loved ones
want.
Courtesy NYS Funeral
Directors Association
COPING WITH DEATH
/NS.COM
