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coping with death
Using technology to plan funerals
While traditional church services still
have a place in many people’s funeral
plans, the one-size-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-eff ective 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 eff orts 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.
Th e 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.
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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 soft ware
you need to create a custom slideshow.
“Many funeral homes recognize the
growing demand for photo galleries and
slideshows, and they off er TVs at the
funeral home to play these slideshows
before and aft er 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.
Th ese 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 off er userfriendly
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 off er 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
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