Funeral DVDs have been an unexpected growth industry arising from the
surge in emigration — they are increasingly popular among overseas
family and friends of the bereaved.Cork funeral director John Keohane says they are increasingly hiring video producers to record funerals and Keohanes is considering starting its own in-house live streaming service.
“I think the interest in DVD and internet streaming makes sense in light of emigration and the growth in technology, Skyping, and the like,” said Mr Keohane.
The recording of funerals isn’t the only change taking place in the sector.
Rather than having a rosary, removal, and funeral, some families are asking for just one service so the remains are brought from the family home or the funeral home directly to the church or crematorium for a service.
“Saying goodbye to a loved one is a personal thing and, for some people, the three days is just too much to bear,” said Mr Keohane .
He says he is wary of eulogies being stopped at funeral services, as was outlined by Bishop Michael Smith earlier this week.
“Eulogies and books of condolence play a role in this,” he said. “You put together personal eulogies that are unique yet still appropriate for the church.”
Meanwhile, a TV service allowing people to “attend” funerals and even daily Mass from the comfort of their smartphone or laptop is already in place in 15 parishes in Dublin and in a Cork City parish.
This streams live footage of services via the local parish church website and allows YouTube-style playback.
This resource is being provided by Church Service TV, a Catholic Church-funded charity, and has been rolled out in parishes including Dublin’s Mount Argus and Ballygall Parish Church Finglas.
It is also available in the Augustinian Priory in Cork City.