Live streaming was already becoming increasingly popular before the pandemic, but it was not quite as widespread as it is now. The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly accelerated the adoption of live streaming as a means of communication, entertainment and connecting people. During the lockdowns, the ability to connect with people remotely has become more important than ever, and live streaming has played a significant role in that. Many businesses, educational institutions, churches and individuals have turned to live streaming to stay connected with others and continue their operations during the pandemic.
Funeral live streaming
During the COVID-19 pandemic, live streaming has been useful for people to attend funerals remotely from the safety of their own homes. This allows family members and friends who are unable to attend in person due to travel restrictions, health concerns, or quarantine requirements to still participate in the funeral service, whether it’s in a church, a temple, or a cemetery. Many churches and crematoriums have begun offering live-streaming services to accommodate this rapid spike in demand. Most of them also record the service and make it available for viewing later.
Dedicated live streaming companies such as Funeral Memories in London began to stream funerals on location in full HD resolution. Typically, these service companies use live streaming platforms, such as Zoom or YouTube Live, or it can be done through a funeral home’s website.
Participating in a funeral remotely, whether through live streaming or other means, can have a significant emotional impact on every individual. In most cases, it may provide a sense of connection and closure, but in some cases, it may also be a source of feelings of isolation and disconnection.
Watching a funeral service remotely can be a very meaningful experience, especially if being present in person isn’t an option. In rare cases, it may be harder to feel a sense of closure and closure can be more difficult to achieve when not being able to say goodbye in person. However, most people feel no sense of isolation, or of missing out on the shared mourning experience that can happen when people come together in person.
Missing out on a loved one’s funeral can be a very stressful experience, with some individuals feeling guilty and ashamed. Participating via live stream can be an adequate remedy.
It’s important to remember that everyone grieves differently and everyone’s emotional reactions are unique, it’s important to give space and understanding to those who participated remotely and provide them with the support they need to process their grief.
Wedding Live Streaming
Live-streaming weddings was not as common before the pandemic as it has become now. Only occasionally couples had experimented with live-streaming their wedding but it was not a widespread practice. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of live streaming. Many couples have turned to live streaming their wedding as a way to include loved ones who are unable to attend due to lockdowns, health concerns, or travel restrictions.
At the beginning of the first lockdown, the demand for high-quality live streaming surged. Wedding videographers such as Schmittat in London quickly adapted to the new situation and offered full HD wedding live streaming instead of their usual wedding videography packages.
Nowadays, it is common to book a wedding live streaming service in addition to wedding photography and wedding videography. Many couples have their own website where they provide information about their day and where they can embed a live-streaming video player as well.
Booking a live streamer
Whether it’s a wedding, a funeral or any other event, it’s recommended to take the following steps to find the right live-streaming service provider.
Research: Look for live-streaming services that specialise in the type of event that you’d like to have streamed (e.g. weddings, funerals, etc) and compare their packages and prices. Read reviews from previous clients and check their portfolios to see examples of their work.
Contact the provider: Once you have found a potential live streaming service that you like, contact them to inquire about availability and to ask any questions you may have, particularly about their prices.
Discuss your needs: The provider will likely want to know more about your event (wedding, funeral) such as the date, location, and any specific requirements you may have. They are likely to ask you about available internet connections on location and/or mobile phone coverage.
Sign a contract: Just like booking a photographer or videographer, once you have agreed on the details, you will need to sign a contract and make a deposit to secure the booking.
Planning: The live-streaming provider will work with you to plan the live-streaming aspect of the wedding, including technical requirements, camera angles, parking, and overall look.
The day of the event: The live streaming provider will arrive at the venue early to set up the equipment and test the live stream. They will also be present during the ceremony to ensure the live stream is running smoothly.
After the event, the provider will most likely edit and deliver the recorded video of the ceremony to you.
It’s important to note that some providers may include additional services such as live streaming coordination or planning the setup or technical aspect of the live stream, or even providing cameras or audio equipment. It’s strongly advisable to ask and discuss these details with the provider before finalizing the booking.
