Funerals Live, a Clare business which streams funerals to loved ones abroad, is to create 10 jobs in the coming months as the company rolls out its service.
Developed by businessman Alan Foudy, the online service will, for a fee, allow the Irish diaspora who have moved to other countries to attend a loved one’s funeral digitally. The service will cover the funeral or the entire service, from the church to the grave.
Explaining the origins of the idea behind this venture, Foudy says that, from his experience, it was the only service of its kind being offered anywhere in Ireland.
“I was asked to make a DVD of a funeral service for relatives and friends of the deceased whose funeral they could not attend.
“The general feeling was that a live webcast or a delayed broadcast of the service would be a better option rather than having to wait up to two weeks for a DVD to arrive by post.”
Before the company can begin filming, it needs permission from the local parish priest and family members, of course. So far, feedback from families and those who have missed out on loved ones’ funerals has been welcoming.
“Based on our initial work, we expect that the majority of clients we will be working on behalf of will include either family members or friends of the deceased who have not been able to travel to Ireland to attend a funeral.
“We also expect that the service will also be particularly useful to persons in hospitals or nursing homes who are unable to attend services.”
