Coping with Death
Using technology to plan funerals
While traditional church services
still have a place in many
people’s funeral plans, the onesize
fi ts-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 benefi ting
the friends and family who want to pay
their respects.
Here are fi ve 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 fi nd
out about others’ experience with a given
funeral home, reviewing the stated pros
and cons to determine which funeral home
is a good fi t for you.
Always do your homework before choosing
a funeral home—information is now
easy to fi nd, 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 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.
PHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES
“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 user-friendly
options.
People can manage a virtual remembrance
page, organize the delivery of
fl owers 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
10 NNoovveembbeerr 44,, 22002211 Schneps Mediia