How to Live Stream a Funeral
If relatives can’t travel to a funeral, whether they’re overseas, unwell or simply too far away, live streaming lets them watch the service as it happens. It’s become a normal part of many funerals, and arranging it is easier than most people expect.
Here’s how to live stream a funeral, what you need to think about, and the choices you have.
Step 1: Check with the funeral director and venue
Start by telling the funeral director that you’d like the service to be streamed. They’ll know the venue and can tell you:
Whether the venue has any rules about filming or equipment
Whether the venue has its own streaming system (some crematoria do)
Whether the celebrant, minister or others involved are comfortable with it
It’s a good idea to raise this early, ideally as soon as the venue and date are confirmed, so there’s plenty of time to plan.
Step 2: Decide how you’ll do it
There are two main routes.
Using the venue’s own service. Some crematoria offer webcasting as part of their package, usually through a fixed camera in the chapel. It’s convenient, but the camera angle, audio and options are fixed, and it isn’t often available at churches, graveside, woodland burial grounds or family homes.
Hiring an independent professional. A specialist, like me, brings their own equipment and connection and can work at almost any venue. This is usually the better choice for services outside a crematorium, or when you want more control over sound, picture and recording.
Doing it yourself. It’s possible to stream from a phone or tablet, and some families do. But it’s worth being realistic about what’s involved (see below).
Step 3: Think about what can go wrong
If you’re considering streaming it yourself, or just want to know what a professional deals with, these are the main things to plan for:
The internet connection. Venue Wi-Fi is often slow, restricted or missing altogether, and a stream needs a steady upload connection. Mobile signal can also be weak in churches and remote locations. I’ve written about this in more detail in my articles on venues with no Wi-Fi, venues without internet and streaming with Starlink satellite.
Sound. This is the biggest problem with amateur streams. A phone placed at the back of a room often can’t pick up the eulogies, readings and hymns clearly, and the people watching can’t ask for something to be repeated.
Battery and storage. A service can last an hour or more, and a phone can run out of power or space partway through.
Someone has to run it. Whoever operates the stream will be focused on the technology rather than being present for the service, which is hard when it’s a person they love.
Privacy. If the stream is posted on a public platform, anyone could watch it. Settings matter.
No second chance. If something fails, a funeral can’t be repeated.
For these reasons, many families choose to leave the technical side to someone else, so they can focus on the day.
Step 4: Choose who can watch
A funeral is a private occasion, and you should decide who sees it. A private link, sent only to the people you choose, is the usual way to do this. Viewers don’t need an account or any special software. They just open the link on a phone, tablet or computer.
If you’d like to know more about how this works, my FAQ answers common questions.
Step 5: Plan for a recording
It’s worth recording the service as well as streaming it. A recording means:
Relatives in a different time zone can watch at a sensible hour
People who weren’t ready to watch live can watch later
The family has a keepsake to return to
There’s a backup if the live connection is interrupted
Step 6: Share the link in advance
A few days before the funeral, send the viewing link to the people who’ll be watching, along with:
The date and start time, including the time zone if they’re abroad
A reminder to test the link beforehand
The order of service, if you have one (some families find that viewers like to join in with the hymns)
How I do it
If you’d rather leave it to a professional, here’s how I work:
You get in touch, telling me, the venue, date and time, even if details aren’t final.
I'll talk it through. I’ll explain the options and answer any questions, without pressure.
I plan ahead, including speaking to the funeral director and checking the venue, signal and sound.
I arrive early and set up discreetly, before guests arrive, with small, tidy equipment that stays out of the way.
I stream and record the service, using my own connection so I don’t depend on the venue’s Wi-Fi.
I send you the private link, which you can share with whoever you choose.
Funeral directors often recommend me to their families, and one wrote:
“We have enjoyed working with you and will continue to recommend you to our families highly.”
Keith, Thomas Furber & Co., Birmingham, October 2025
Frequently asked questions
Do viewers need an account or an app?
No. They simply open the private link on a phone, tablet or computer.
Can people watch afterwards if they miss it?
Yes, if the service is recorded, which I’d always recommend.
What if the venue has no Wi-Fi?
This isn’t a problem for me, as I bring my own connection. If you’re worried about a particular location, tell me early and I’ll advise honestly.
How much does it cost?
My prices start from £315 plus travel, and I’m happy to give a clear quote before you decide.
How far in advance should I book?
As early as you can, but I’ll always do my best to help, even at short notice. It’s worth getting in touch to check availability.
Get in touch
To check I’m free on your date, or to ask a question, call or text me on 079 7467 4815, or email Peter@funeral.video
Peter has filmed and livestreamed many funerals and memorial services
He can webcast and livestream, without WiFi and mains power, so can livestream from house, through service to graveside if required
Peter sets up a private web page, which is where he then livestreams to, so viewers do not need to be present to be a part of the memorial celebrations
The web page can have up to 10 photos on it and can be forwarded to anyone around the world with internet access. They will be able to view the memorial / funeral service, right on their computer, Smart phone, Smart TV, iPad etc
Afterwards, the video recorded is slightly edited and put back onto the web page so it can be viewed and also downloaded on to a computer so that it can be kept and viewed later...all this from a venue anywhere in the UK
The services that Peter offers for livestreaming is available nationally. Peter is a full time videographer and also a Livestream expert
