14th September 2015

Online funeral services

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Zoom funerals: being together while staying apart

When gathering in person is not possible, an online ceremony provides a meaningful option to pay tribute to a person who has died.

At an online funeral you can do many of the things you would do at an in-person funeral, and more!

  • Show a slideshow of the person’s life, and embed their favourite music
  • Light a candle together
  • Read a poem
  • Share memories and stories
  • Read a eulogy
  • Say a prayer
  • Raise a glass
  • Wear the person’s favourite clothes
  • Decorate your backdrop in a fitting way

 

“The online ceremony was so precious to us. We couldn’t travel to attend by Mum’s funeral service, but gathering virtually gave us the opportunity to say our farewells and celebrate her life with everyone who was dear to her.”

 

Online funeral service led by Rosalie Kuyvenhoven, London based celebrant

Zoom funeral service, credits Rosalie Kuyvenhoven, London based celebrant

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How does an online funeral work?..

At an online funeral, people log in to Zoom from their own device (desktop, laptop, phone or iPad). When entering the meeting the celebrant (or technical host) welcomes people and assists in case there are any questions or concerns about accessing the meeting and how to navigate the options. 

The funeral service will follow a structure similar to that of an in person funeral: the celebrant welcomes everyone after which a candle can be lit, followed by readings, a eulogy, tributes, music, one or more community acts and well wishes or a blessing at the end of the service.

Read more in this blog

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How do I work?

For an online funeral to run smoothly on the day, good preparation is key. It does not only require a bespoke ceremony design, tailored to the options available in Zoom, but also preparations to ensure that the ceremony works from a technical point of view.

Every online funeral ceremony is a unique en personalised event, remembering the unique person who has died and enabling those dear to them to gather, pay tribute and share memories.

I invest in getting to know the person who has died, their life, personality, values and beliefs, as well in gaining an understanding of the people who will be attending and participating.

I don’t work with standard scripts. Every ceremony is designed from scratch and unique, because every person is unique.

Ahead of the day we will run a test session on Zoom to ensure everything works as wished and planned for.

On the day I conduct the ceremony. I consider it my role mainly for the attendees to hold the space and guide them through the different elements. My role can be as big and as small as you wish it to be: taking the lead in welcoming people, sharing readings, the eulogy and tributes, or rather as a Master of Ceremony, enabling participants to say and do what they want.

If you wish we can record the ceremony as a keepsake for you an others to watch again.

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Fees

1. Complete package: ceremony +

From £975

  • Advice on sending invitations
  • Coordination of virtual team gatherings to prepare for the ceremony
  • Ceremony design
  • Advise on readings and symbolic rituals
  • Personalised and bespoke script writing
  • Conducting on the day
  • Coordination of technical aspects of the ceremony
  • Create a recording of the ceremony
  • Create a personalised slideshow
  • Create a digital order of service sheet
  • Personalised keepsake document

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2. Bespoke online ceremony

From £625

You are looking for a meaningful, engaging and personalised online ceremony

  • Coordination of virtual team gatherings to prepare for the ceremony
  • Ceremony design
  • Advise on readings and symbolic rituals
  • Personalised and bespoke script writing
  • Reviews and edits
  • Unlimited contact to discuss ideas and questions
  • Conducting on the day
  • Personalised keepsake document

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3. Advice and coaching

From £375

You feel confident about hosting the ceremony yourself, but you would like expert advise to make sure the ceremony is meaningful and engaging and that it all runs smoothly on the day.

  • Advice on how to set up an online ceremony
  • Tailored advice on ceremony design, content and symbolic rituals
  • Review of outline and ideas
  • Coaching of speakers

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If you are interested to learn more about online funeral ceremonies, please contact me: