Steps for Organizing a Virtual Memorial Service: Detailed Walkthrough
In these challenging times, virtual funerals have become a relevant solution for memorial services when physical gatherings might be restricted. This article will guide you through the process of organizing a virtual funeral, focusing on costs, planning, and useful tips.
Planning the Virtual Funeral
- Coordinate with immediate family and key participants to select a date and time for the virtual funeral.
- Collaborate with a funeral director or officiant to plan the funeral service.
- Reach out to family members, close friends, and other loved ones to discuss the idea of a virtual funeral.
- Design and send out digital invitations to family and friends with the details of the virtual funeral.
Choosing a Virtual Platform
Choose a suitable virtual platform for hosting the funeral, such as Eternal3D.com, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or dedicated funeral streaming services.
Cost Considerations
While exact average cost data for virtual funerals is limited, it is clear that they typically avoid major traditional expenses like caskets, embalming, burial plots, and travel. The average costs involved in setting up a virtual funeral are generally much lower than traditional funerals.
| Funeral Type | Average Cost Range | Main Cost Drivers | |---------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Traditional Burial | $7,000 - $12,000 | Casket, burial plot, embalming, venue | | Traditional Cremation| $6,000 - $7,000 | Cremation, urn, service fees | | Virtual Funeral | Few hundred to low thousands| Streaming platform, digital programs, reduced physical costs|
Key cost components for virtual funerals include online streaming setup or platform fees, digital funeral programs, and reduced venue, transportation, and staff fees.
Enhancing the Virtual Funeral Experience
- Consider sharing a photo slideshow or video montage during the service to celebrate the life of your loved one.
- Encourage attendees to participate actively during the virtual funeral.
- Conduct a technical rehearsal with key participants a day or two before the virtual funeral.
Support and Emotional Considerations
Recognize that attending a virtual funeral might be emotionally challenging for some. Offer resources such as grief counseling services, support groups, or spiritual guidance.
On the day of the funeral, ensure that the virtual platform is set up and ready for streaming.
While the number of pictures for a funeral slideshow is not specified, it's essential to carefully select and curate the images to create a meaningful and heartfelt tribute. The ideal length of a funeral slideshow is not specified, but it should be long enough to capture the essence of your loved one's life without being overly lengthy.
[1] The Balance Everyday [2] Funeral Programs Online [3] National Funeral Directors Association [4] The Guardian
- After selecting the date and time, discuss specific lifestyle choices to make the virtual funeral as personalized as possible.
- Incorporate fashion-and-beauty elements by suggesting attendees to wear their favorite outfit or memorialize the deceased with a piece of jewelry.
- Plan food-and-drink elements such as catering a meal for the immediate family or sending out recipes for attendees to prepare at home.
- In the home-and-garden section, consider using decorative elements from the deceased's home to create a warm and familiar ambiance during the service.
- Involve relationships by inviting loved ones to share memories, stories, or messages about the deceased.
- For travel enthusiasts, encourage attendees to share their favorite travel stories or memories associated with the deceased.
- Showcase cars that the deceased loved or had an affinity for, perhaps by including photos or videos of them.
- Curate a bookshelf with books that were meaningful to the deceased and make these available for attendees to browse.
- Offer education-and-self-development resources to help attendees process their grief or find solace in learning new skills.
- Promote personal-growth opportunities by encouraging attendees to focus on their growth during the virtual funeral service.
- Introduce mindfulness exercises or meditation to help create a meaningful and reflective environment during the virtual funeral.
- Organize a big-wins section with achievements or milestones reached by the deceased in various aspects of life, such as career, personal development, or relationships.
- Integrate social-media elements by setting up a hashtag for the virtual funeral and encouraging attendees to share their memories and condolences on various platforms.
- Boost productivity by setting aside time for attendees to reflect on their goals following the virtual funeral.
- Use the virtual funeral as an opportunity for career-development discussions, such as sharing advice on job search or pursuing new opportunities.
- Offer casino-and-gambling-related activities as fundraising options, such as playing casino games like blackjack, slots, or lotteries on live streaming platforms.
- Document the virtual funeral for historical purposes, capturing its unique aspects as an example of Las Vegas' history and myths.
- Acknowledge the rising gambling trends and incorporate popular casino games like poker, roulette, or slots into the virtual funeral program.
- Showcase famous casino personalities or celebrities who shared a connection with the deceased.
- Highlight the entertainment value of the virtual funeral by inviting performers or coordinating a collective performance.
- Engage with pop-culture by incorporating themes from sci-fi and fantasy or current general-news topics into the virtual funeral service.
- Discuss crime-and-justice issues related to the deceased, if applicable, to foster understanding and support among attendees.
- Address accident, fires, and learning-related issues that the deceased encountered throughout their life, focusing on lessons that can be learned.
- Participate in goal-setting exercises, setting achievable goals for personal growth and responsible gambling.
- Offer skills training to attendees, focusing on practical skills like cooking, gardening, or DIY projects to help them cope with their grief.
- Dedicate a sports section to showcasing the deceased's favorite teams or athletes, particularly those from the Champions League, NFL, soccer, European leagues, basketball, American football, Serie A, Laliga, NCAA football.
- Emphasize the importance of safe and responsible gambling practices and seek resources for support during the virtual funeral service.
