The rise of livestreaming funerals as families choose to keep distant mourners in the picture

Kiwis are now watching funerals via livestream, if they can't make the service. Photo/ 123RF

A growing number of funeral homes are fitting cameras in their chapels and reception areas to livestream services so family and friends can watch from afar.

A funeral director overseas has labelled mourners who use the service as "lazy" and says it denies the families support needed during the grieving process, but those here say it's great for Kiwis who are "worldwide people" and can't make the occasion.

The system also gave people in hospital and rest home residents the ability to farewell their loved ones.

As well as installing cameras in chapels, some funeral parlours around the country also have webcasting kits should grieving families wish to hold funerals at home or elsewhere.

Some have videos available on their websites that can be accessed by anyone who goes on the website, while others require password access.

One home that offers the service, Dunstall's Funeral Services in Napier, said livestreaming had become so popular since the company first offered the service in 2013, one in five families now request it.

"New Zealanders are such worldwide people, so for example if Grandma dies in New Zealand and someone in the US or London cannot get away for one reason or another they can still be part of the funeral," funeral director Neil Earnshaw said.

Earnshaw said they offered the service for free and it was becoming more popular because of the youth of people making the decisions about funeral arrangements.

Careful placement of cameras is ensured in cases where there is an open casket, Earnshaw said.

"It's not like we stick a camera in the casket. It is always at a distance so you can see the lid is open but cannot see the deceased."

The funeral of Alix Robinson was live-streamed from Tauranga so her Wellington colleagues could watch from afar.

He said families could choose to limit access to the stream.

"Most families don't want a password because the [funeral] service is public anyway, so what's the difference?"

Livestreaming was used by Earnshaw's own family at the funeral of his niece who died in a car accident in central Wellington in 2014.

Alix Rae Robinson was 24 and working in Wellington as a creative writer for the Radio Network, but her funeral was held in her home town of Tauranga.

"I took our mobile live-streaming equipment there, so her workmates in Wellington could see the funeral," said Earnshaw.

"About 700 people watched it online."

Auckland company One Room offers its webcasting equipment and service to funeral homes.

Mourners log on to its online system and type in a password.

Chief executive David Lutterman said he had noticed a spike in the number of mourners who attended funerals online - particularly those of young people - since its service began in 2013.

"Young people now expect to be able to go online and see [funerals]."

Lutterman said One Room is used by about 42 funeral homes in New Zealand and has webcast to at least 75 countries around the world.

Companies including Gillions Funeral Services in Dunedin also allow friends and family from around the world to pay tribute to their loved ones at the funeral via Skype or prerecorded messages.

Jason Taane, general manager of Davis Funerals said that although they offer the service, he hoped society did not get to a point where we no longer physically gather to remember someone's life.

"That would be a sad day. The actual coming together is one of the most important parts."