How technology has changed funerals
Technology is constantly changing the way we live our lives.
From how we stay in touch to the way we shop, modern technology allows these experiences to be faster, easier, and more accessible.
But it’s not just how we live that has been shaped by technology.
How we say goodbye to our loved ones and remember them after they have passed has taken a step into the future too.
Whether you want to pre-plan your own funeral, share memories around the world, or create a lasting memorial, new funeral technology has opened the door to a better funeral experience.
Arranging funerals with technology
The Family Link Client Portal is an online platform that provides an easy way to arrange a funeral, collate important documents, and even collect signatures in one place.
You and your family can store this important information and access it when needed through a secure and private link.
Sharing over distance
As travel has become more accessible, our network has widened. We now have friends and family worldwide.
Increased technology has allowed us to share life events all around the world in a matter of minutes, but sometimes a death is unexpected or other restrictions may make travelling to attend a funeral in person impossible.
You now have the option to live stream a funeral.
Discreet cameras are placed around the chapel, which capture the service and allow friends and family to view the ceremony from the comfort of their own home.
The stream can also be viewed at a later date.
If you choose to live stream a funeral, you remain in complete control over viewers, as the stream is protected with a personalised link and password that you can send only to the people you wish to attend.
We also offer mobile streaming services which offer a more immersive view of the ceremony, with the use of a professional camera operator.
Creating a lasting memory
Photos and memory books can be lost or damaged, but technology can help keep your memories safe.
Online memorials and guest books can be created to offer a secure and lasting tribute to your loved one.
Whether you seek our help in creating a tribute hosted on our website or choose to create a group on social media, it is easy to capture and store every precious moment online to be viewed as often as you need.
Smartphones now offer a new way to remember loved ones. Combined with a Mod Urn, you can record and share special moments, including family history, photos and videos.
Your own or your loved one’s life story can be captured and replayed on any smart device simply by standing nearby.
While a traditional urn is generally kept in one home, it is possible to purchase multiple Mod Urns to allow the memories to be shared with many households.
The Keepar App allows families to remember a loved one after their funeral.
By scanning the image on the Order of Service, the app provides the option to view photo montages, funeral coverage or other memories you have chosen to capture.
You can choose to share the link as you wish, including privately via email.
Seeking support
Losing a loved one is difficult and professional guidance is sometimes required. 24-hour support is available through the My Grief app, which can provide contact information and advice when you need it most.
A note on grief: although these advances in technology are designed to lighten the emotional load, they are not a substitute for professional grief counselling.
Please see our grief resources if you require more assistance.
Modern yet respectful funerals
Although the idea of a technologically assisted funeral may sound bizarre, the reality is that technology is changing funerals for the better.
Planning a respectful and fitting farewell for your loved one has never been easier.
At Newhaven Funerals, we can provide a wide range of services to suit your precise needs. We will discuss your preferences and requirements and are fully flexible when it comes to assisting you with the planning of appropriate funeral and burial or cremation arrangements.
We understand how emotional and difficult the planning stages can be, and we offer exemplary services to help you pass this difficult phase of your life without excessive stress.
Tim Connolly, Director of Newhaven Funerals says – “over the last decade we saw occasional use of our live streaming service but in the last two years and due to the pandemic we’ve seen a huge take up on streaming technology. The reliance on technology adds a new level of stress to the service we provide as I’m sure most people have had some kind of tech issue in a normal day.” “A lady said to me at a funeral the other day, ‘you guys are like film directors, I cant believe how much is involved’.”
“The best part of streaming, is knowing that somewhere else in the world at exactly the same time people are sharing a tribute to someone they knew and loved” he explains.
“Over the last three or four years we’ve moved to arranging funeral services and presenting merchandise options with client families on tablets. Clients can sign ‘on glass’ now too. This makes it easy and everyone gets an electronic copy, which helps provide consistent and transparent client interaction. Bar code scanning has become a normal part of our business now and almost every process we undertake, we scan a unique code and everyone in the organisation and our client knows exactly what stage we’re at.
Guest check in barcodes are standard at our venues too. Our vehicles are tracked and displayed on TV screens in our buildings which is now a common technology applied to any companies with fleet vehicles.”
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please do not hesitate to contact us at Newhaven funerals on
Article by Tim Connolly Funeral Director – Newhaven Funerals
Tim Connolly – Funeral Director Newhaven Funerals Brisbane & Gold Coast. Growing up around funerals since the age of six allows Tim a unique understanding of how a family owned funeral business should be. Since leaving school in 1992 Tim has been deeply involved in all aspects of operating their family owned business, including operating crematoriums, memorial gardens and pet cremation business. Tim is always available to assist all clients with any request |
