CremCam: Funeral by webcam coming to Dunfermline
Matt Meade • Published 13 Jan 2012 08:35
5 Comments
'CREM-CAMS' will drag the bereavement industry into the digital age ... with live streaming of West Fife funerals on the internet.
Fife Council say web-streaming is on its "wish-list". It means people across the world who can't attend funerals can experience it from home on their computer.
Liz Murphy, bereavement services manager, said, "It is something we'd ultimately like to put into both crems (Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy).
"We need to get our IT system up to scratch. I'm not yet sure how quickly we will get something in place. It's on the wish-list for the future."
She added, "There have been a couple of funeral directors who have arranged it themselves through using their own PCs. They set up a webcam and record it.
"But we haven't got the equipment to provide that as yet and we'll have to look at what system is best for us."
The service is already provided by Callum Robertson Funeral Directors, Dunfermline.
They have uploaded videos to the internet, providing mourners across the world with a password to view it and pay their respects. They also can record the service onto DVD.
Callum said, "It's good for families on the other side of the world who are unable to attend.
"One time, a family watched it from Australia within half-an-hour of the service taking place, by streaming.
"The other beauty of recording it is if someone's in a care home and unable to attend a service.
"We played a DVD of a service on a large-screen television in a care home. People can almost feel that they are there.
"The way things are going, it's certainly the way forward."
Callum said they had helped with more "intimate" requests - such as people wishing to record footage of their loved one in their coffin.
However, streaming from Dunfermline Crematorium is difficult, he added, because of technical issues.
"One time we couldn't stream it live because the phonelines at the crematorium are too antiquated to cope with the digital streaming.
"So if they are going do this it means phonelines will have to be changed."
Broadcasting of funerals is another step in bringing the service into the digital age.
Newspapers, including the Press, have notices available to view online so friends and family near and far can pay their respects.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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davie1
26 posts
Jan 13, 12:13
Report commentHow lazy and pathetic can we get!
'Sorry couldnt be bothered to go to your funeral so I watched it on the computer instead'
Recommend?
Yes 9
No 5
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supersonic
242 posts
Jan 13, 18:41
Report comment -
DrewCarnegie
66 posts
Jan 13, 19:56
Report commentFife Council got their priorities right again
Recommend? Yes 8
No 0
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lydiapot1
123 posts
Jan 15, 20:40
Report commentGood for anyone with a 'burning ambition'!!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 3
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snowshovel
3 posts
Feb 4, 21:09
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