Funeral live streaming demand grows in western NSW

The easing of Covid funeral restrictions hasn’t stopped requests for virtual services, with one business - which was streaming 100 ceremonies a week during lockdown - still in high demand.

Despite the easing of Covid restrictions allowing for more mourners to attend funeral services in-person, demand for virtual coverage of proceedings continues to remain high in the NSW central west and beyond.

Parkes-based Chris Williams says his Regional Streaming Network business had to hire extra staff to film about 100 funerals a week at the height of the NSW Covid lockdown in mid-2021.

Demand for live streaming of funerals has soared. Picture: Chris Williams / Regional Streaming Network

With state restrictions on funeral attendance now eased, Mr Williams said his business has still been receiving a large number of requests for live streaming and video recording of proceedings.

“We’re still finding people are time sensitive or their jobs are so demanding that they don’t have that one or two days to travel interstate or from overseas to go to a service of a loved one,” he said.

“We allow these people to actually watch and be part of that service from wherever they are. Most families tell us they didn’t know this was possible.

“Not so long ago, we had five family members who were spread out across Australia and the world. We bought them in, put them up on the big screen and they were able to share their memories of their grandfather.”

While Covid has kept people distant, live streaming is making funerals more inclusive. Picture Chris Williams/Regional Streaming Network

In the case of one family whose father passed away, Mr Williams said he was able to link a son who worked as a priest in Canada, in to conduct a service locally.

“We brought him in, put him up on the big screen in the church and he was able to conduct that service with another Minister in the church,” Mr Williams said.

“He conducted three quarters of that service all from overseas.

“We’ve had other services where family members want to give eulogies so we brought a daughter in from Amsterdam.”

Demand for edited recordings of services people can watch later also remains high, Mr Williams, who travels all across NSW to provide his service, said.

“People ring in tears thanking us because this is something they can keep and treasure,” he said.

“On the day you’re upset, you’ve lost someone you love and you don’t take it all in.

“This way you get to sit down in the peace and quiet and take in everybody’s memories.”