Funerals to be live-streamed across the world from high-tech crematorium
Chapel in Kent prepares to introduce cyber-funerals to help family or friends pay respects from the comfort of their home
FUNERALS taking place at a British chapel will soon be live-streamed across the world
The Kent and Sussex Crematorium and Cemetery in Tunbridge Wells is installing a camera so that mourners can watch events from their computers or phones.
Grieving friends and family will need a password to access the live-stream, cutting down the risk of uninvited weirdos watching from the other side of the world.
Ken Dry, a registrar at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: "The webcasting facility is a service that we hope will be of help to families and friends who are unable to attend a funeral, perhaps because they live too far away.
"The funeral service is broadcast securely over the internet and accessible only to those who have been given the password.
"A similar facility is offered in many other cemeteries and crematoria.
"The technology is currently being tested here and we envisage it will be available
from early 2017."
Funeral director Robert Hickmott added: "Hopefully, the webcast would actually cover people who couldn't have made it anyway, because of physical reasons or because of distance.
"My only reservation is over time it may change the attendance, who turns up to services.
"They may not travel great distances but watch online, but that's a long-term view, ten years' time.
"I think it is a good thing, we've had a few requests and it does make sense."
Former locals also think it's a sensible idea.
Michael Palmer used to live in Tunbridge Wells before he moved to Dubai.
He said: "Living away from your home country isn't easy, and unfortunately you do have to accept there will be important events which you are unable to attend.
"Obviously attending a funeral 'virtually' isn't ideal, but this seems like a sensible use of easily-accessible technology, which could help you to connect to friends and family at a difficult time."
He added: "It's also good to feel that you are present in some way, and this could help to make the distance between you and your family feel a little shorter at an important time."
"I could definitely see this being a valuable service too many living abroad, and I applaud the initiative."
One resident of the own hoped the cameras would improve the existence of people still languishing in the land of the living.
Related Stories
Maurice Knights, 83, from Tunbridge Wells, said: "It could mean less traffic and congestion at the crematorium which can only be a good thing.
"You get people driving fast because they came from Dorking and thought Tunbridge Wells was only five minutes away. It would take the stress away for some people."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368