Funeral Live Streaming & Recording Service

Our aim is to ensure your online viewers feel at the heart of the ceremony no matter how, when or where they’re watching. We often hear from viewers that it feels just like being there in person.

We create beautiful and highly produced live stream videos and recordings, creatively filmed with skill, care and discretion. We mix between multiple cameras, using a variety of shots and angles to capture all the important details of the ceremony. Additionally, we use pro-grade microphones or a direct audio feed to ensure good quality sound. Our setup is designed to be operated by one person and we keep our footprint small to stay discreet and unobtrusive.

We use the latest live streaming technology, our own high-speed internet connections and a professional live streaming platform. There are no limits on the number of viewers. And all photo slideshows and video tributes are included in the live stream too.

The ceremony is always recorded and it remains online for a month for later viewing. It’s also available to download and keep.

Our setup is small and unobtrusive, and we film discreetly and respectfully with care and compassion. Families often tell us they hardly noticed we were present.

CeremonyCast has been live streaming funerals since 2018. We are recommended by funeral directors, churches, and families alike and are proud to embrace our values of respect, reputation and reliability.

READ MORE: Dos and Donts when choosing funeral live streaming

We’ve designed our service to be as easy as possible, so nobody feels frustrated by technology.

Our live streams can be watched on any device without the need for passwords or special software. Just open the page, and the live video will start automatically.

We create a personalised webpage to host each live stream video and recording. This page is private, which means it’s not linked from any of our website pages and it’s not indexed on search engines. We’ll send the link when you book, allowing you lots of time to invite guests. For privacy, and to ensure you stay in control of invitations, we do not provide links via email, text, phone etc if contacted.

The page also contains an online guestbook so people watching can share their own memories and leave messages. We’ll publish the Order of Service, Mass Booklet or Memorial Card on the page for viewers to read and download. And if you’re asking for donations in memoriam, let us know so we can link to your fundraising page.

You can also:

• See the names of everyone who watched (we ask viewers to check-in)
• Access help from our online assistant
• Translate the page into different languages

Yes we do, for every ceremony, in HD quality. The recording is immediately available to view when the live stream ends, so anyone who cannot watch the ceremony at the time can view at their convenience. The video stays online for one month. And you can download the video recording after the event, to keep, at no extra charge.

The live stream starts a few moments before the ceremony start time. We show people arriving, views of the venue and some exterior shots of the location to set the scene.

As well as the ceremony itself, we do our best to capture as much detail as we can, such as the flowers, the setting, those attending, any photos or personal mementos etc. Photo slideshows and video tributes are included.

While we aim to film as many aspects of a ceremony or event as possible, there may be some we cannot film for practical and/or technical reasons (for example, something happening in another room or in a different part of the venue outside the range of our cameras).

We film with care and discretion and do not show close-ups of people in grief or distress. If there is a viewing before the ceremony, this is not part of the live stream unless you specifically request for it to be shown.

Yes. For larger or more complex funerals, we can include an additional roaming camera, or even a drone.

If there’s a graveside ceremony after the main funeral, we can include that too. We can also cover the wake if you wish.

We also have a slate of complementary service such as Slideshow Production, an AV Package and Funeral Photography.

We live stream to the CeremonyCast website via a professional streaming video platform (Vimeo) which is just like streaming Netflix or watching a YouTube video. Having a one-way broadcast is really important because it gives us full control over all technical settings and aspects of the live stream and gives a superior and reliable viewing experience to everyone watching.

Apps like Zoom, Teams and WhatsApp are designed for business meeting scenarios where it’s important all participants in the call can see, hear and interact with each other in real time. To make this possible, the video and audio is highly compressed. Speed takes priority and image quality takes a bit hit to make that happen, which is why other people in these calls sometimes appear blocky, their video is jerky, or simply just drop off the call completely for a brief moment. In a corporate talking-head meeting, this is the accepted compromise to allow conversations to happen with minimum delay, but this is not acceptable for professional live streaming.

A live streaming setup becomes particularly important when the number of viewers scales to a large number, otherwise video and audio quality would degrade to an unacceptable level. And when you’re streaming a funeral, a video conferencing app is not an appropriate choice when there is no requirement for those watching to actively take part, or indeed any wish for viewers experiencing a very personal moment to do so on camera.

Conferencing apps also require accounts, log ins and passwords which adds unnecessary complication. It’s important to keep everything as easy as possible because people watching range from tech whizzes to technophobes so with our setup, all you have to do is click a link.

We avoid streaming to YouTube or Facebook etc as these platforms use automated copyright matching algorithms which prevent the inclusion of music in a live stream. The stream will be automatically muted or even terminated in such circumstances.

Yes. As with all technology, it’s vital to always have backups in place should any unexpected issues arise.

A recording is always made in addition to the live stream. Therefore if the stream is interrupted for any reason, we will replace the stream with the backup recording as soon as possible so later viewings are not affected.

The nature of live streaming means there is always the possibility that it may struggle or fail if the internet connection available at the ceremony or event location is not good enough. We carry out tests on arrival so we can avoid any such issues, and we constantly monitor the stream when it’s in progress. We have multiple internet networks at our disposal but ultimately network speeds and connectivity is outside of our control.

If despite our best efforts we cannot reliably broadcast live, we will alert you and your viewers. We will then post a recording of your ceremony or event on your page as soon as possible.

You can view our live streams and recorded videos in most countries around the world, and there are no restrictions on the number of people who can watch, either live or recorded. Our videos can be viewed on phones, tablets, laptops and PCs. We recommend that your WiFi/internet connection is capable of streaming HD video for best results, but our system will automatically change the video’s quality to suit the speed of your connection.

Please be aware that live streaming video may be blocked or restricted in some countries (for example, China’s Great Firewall does not permit video from overseas). Likewise the internet connection or network you are connected to may also block or restrict video, or it may be too slow or unreliable to support streaming video (for example, WiFi connections on planes and cruise ships may allow video calls but at the same time may also restrict streaming video services due to limited bandwidth). This is outside our control and therefore we are not liable or responsible for any such issues at the viewer’s end.

We provide a test page which we recommend you check in advance of the live stream date which may indicate any potential issues in advance.

If you are prevented from accessing our service, please alert us and we will endeavour to provide you with a recording of the ceremony or event as soon as possible via an alternative platform or by download link.

Some churches, chapels and venues offer free live streaming as part of your booking. While this may appeal on a cost basis, the CeremonyCast service offers much more sophistication and a much more polished and professional result.

Church options are usually automated services or operated by a volunteer, not a dedicated professional technical operator. And when things go wrong – and live streaming can be challenging – a free service you’re not paying for may not take priority when issues arise.

They are also much more basic than what we offer. Chapel webcasts are filmed by fixed cameras with minimal adjustment, rather like a security camera. The quality of both video and audio is not as clear as what our cameras can capture. Modern live streaming has quickly moved on to expectations of far better quality and higher production values. We’re able to offer a better-looking video with a far wider range of camera angles capturing ALL the details of the ceremony, better audio and an experienced and professional crew.

Privacy is another factor. Our funeral live stream service is totally private and bespoke, We also use a professional live streaming platform. Beware of live streams hosted on a public YouTube channel which can fall foul of automatic copyright restrictions when it comes to music.

Don’t forget, you’re also able to download and keep a copy of the video. And we add extra elements to our live streams such as an embedded Order of Service/Mass Booklet, and we’ll give you the names of everyone who watched.

Yes – we have an Audio Visual package in addition to our live streaming services.

The AV producer is a second member of staff who looks after all the tech associated with the ceremony. This means setting up the projector and screen or TV, the mics, stands and speakers, the computer or laptop, ensuring everything connects together seamlessly, and then playing all the ceremony media on cue using professional presentation software.

The AV producer also does the pre-production in the lead up to the ceremony; sourcing and downloading the music, creating a holding slide for the venue screens, (sometimes) creating the photo tribute slideshow, and producing the recorded video tributes (these recorded videos arrive needing resizing, trimming, editing or audio adjustments in advance).

If you book CeremonyCast for AV, our policy is to always use our own equipment, irrespective of what’s available at the venue. This is because we cannot give any confidence to the condition or working order of the kit that’s provided, and we also cannot guarantee to be able to troubleshoot problems with unfamiliar equipment. Our own setup has been tested to work in various different configurations and we can fix any issues immediately.

We’ve got you covered when it comes to avoiding DIY disasters. Don’t risk connection issues, bad picture and terrible sound by attempting your own streaming. Leaving it to the professionals avoids technical trauma at an already stressful time.

Less than you may think. CeremonyCast aims to offer an affordable service which reflects our professionalism while not compromising on quality. We’re definitely less than other funeral live streaming companies. Ask us for details of our latest fees.

We cover Sydney, Southern Highlands, Wollongong, Central Coast, Newcastle, The Hunter & The Blue Mountains.

We are the recommended live streaming company for some of the area’s leading venues and Funeral Directors and we have worked with all kinds of funeral directors, including Ann Wilson Funerals, WN Bull, Picaluna, Trevor Lee and Son, Personal Farewells, Guardian, Simplicity, Allan Drew, Maurer Family Funerals, White Lady – and many more.

Funeral live streaming has witnessed a surge in popularity in recent years, transforming the way we mourn and pay our respects to loved ones.

One key reason for the rise in popularity of funeral live streaming is the increasing geographical dispersion of families and friends. In today’s globalised world, loved ones often reside in different cities, states, or even countries. Attending a funeral in person can be challenging due to distance, travel constraints, or other commitments. A funeral live stream allows individuals who are unable to attend physically to participate in the funeral service virtually, bridging the gap and providing a means to express condolences and support from afar.

Moreover, funeral live streaming offers an opportunity to include individuals who may have physical limitations or health concerns that prevent them from attending in person. They can all still be part of the commemoration through the live stream. This inclusivity ensures that everyone who wishes to pay their respects can do so, regardless of their circumstances.

Additionally, funeral live streaming provides a level of privacy and intimacy. Not everyone may feel comfortable attending a funeral or memorial service in person due to personal reasons or emotional distress. Live streaming allows them to observe and participate from a more familiar and controlled environment, providing a sense of comfort and emotional support during a difficult time.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in the increased popularity of funeral live streaming. Health and safety restrictions limited the number of attendees at funeral services, making live streaming an essential tool to ensure that family and friends could still be part of the ceremony. It became a way to mourn collectively while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

In conclusion, the rising popularity of funeral live streaming can be attributed to its ability to overcome geographical barriers, inclusion of individuals with limitations, provision of privacy, and adaptability to changing circumstances such as the pandemic. Funeral live streaming has become a valuable tool for connecting and supporting grieving individuals, offering a sense of unity and solace during challenging times.

READ MORE: Funeral Rituals and Eulogies Made Easy