Funerals by Phone?

[T. ModestoPhD]

Telephones are expected to hold up better than other forms of communication in a mass fatality medical disaster according to reports that I have read. My question is: Could this sort of communication as described in the article below be done now days? I am not that technical in the area of communication expertise but since land line communication is expected to be more sustainable in a mass fatality medical crisis, it would seem most practical to have this sort to communication available not only for worship services but for all kinds of meeting and even funerals since there will be a great number of and desire for funerals regularly.

Can funeral calls be done for say 50-100 families all at the same time? Could a conference funeral be done with loved ones in say 10-20 different locations / parts of country or even world? Would it be less demanding of the telephone system to have a recorded service / funeral and then have it put on tape at the worship center that individuals could call when able to listen to an inspirational message, a mini worship service or funeral? HOw expensive will all this be on a faith based center? Economics will be a consideration since most economic support will be very limited since the centers will be shut down.

I know that some faith centers have a telephone line that is dedicated for individuals to call in to receive a 'thought for the day? message. How expensive is that and what is needed in equipment using electricity to expand that for funeral conference calls?

Pandemics cause a great deal of death and thus cause unimaginable complex and compounded bereavement and grief issues for the individual families as well as for the community at large. That is a significant reason why the Spanish Flu of 1918 was not discussed very much after the incident was the unhealthy reaction to the pandemic experience. One of the ways to help people to cope with a disaster death experience that is going to be felt for an extended period of time during the pandemic and post-trauma is to have some sort of funeral or memorial service at or near the time of death. This will be especially true for those areas that will resort to having mass graves or mass cremations with no formal funeral or memorial service. There may also be no grave markers as a means of final tribute to the individual who has died since there will be bodies that will not have identification on them. Pastors are not going to have the fuel for their cars to be traveling even to everyone?s home to do a funeral outside the house like it was often done in 1918. People and pastors do not live close to the worship centers like it was back then. Does any one have any information on this? Additionally, travel can cause the spread of the flu as was noted in the actions of mail carriers in rural areas in 1918, so transportation needs to be as restricted as much as possible in sheltering ? in - place situations. If there are civil disturbances or increased theft then the pastor?s car would be subject to violence and the clergy harmed possibly meaning need for unavailable medical care.

I would certainly appreciate all the brainstorming and ideas possible.
Thanks
T Modesto

Church Service by Telephone During "Flu" Ban.

http://earlyradiohistory.us/1919chur.htm
Telephony, January 4, 1919, pages 19:

Although public church services were forbidden because of influenza, this did not prevent members of the Jackson Street Christian church in Muncie, Ind., from listening to the usual Sunday sermon on the morning of December 22 by Rev. F. E. Smith, their pastor.
At 10:30 o'clock, through the co-operation of the local telephone company management, the telephones of all subscribers who wished, were connected with the telephone in the church, to which a special sounder was attached. The church organist also played a few numbers.

 

[hawkeye]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

T Modesto-
Below are my comments, however, please keep in mind I can only speak from my experience. Also, my impression is that companies that offer these services leverage the internet's capabilities, in order to reduce cost. I would venture a guess that it's possible that it might be very hard to a system that doesn't rely on the internet at some level. Anyway, I hope the comments help.

Can funeral calls be done for say 50-100 families all at the same time?

Yes. Typcially the meeting is "hosted" by a service, everyone is given a toll-free number to call, and it is essentially just like the old "party-line" calls. The calls could be set up so that it is broadcast only, thus avoiding any confusion as to whom is speaking.

Also, with today's technology it maybe possible to support 100s if not 1000s.

HOw expensive will all this be on a faith based center?

Cost would be determined on the package and I would assume is directly proportional to the number of simultaneous users.

I know that some faith centers have a telephone line that is dedicated for individuals to call in to receive a 'thought for the day? message. How expensive is that and what is needed in equipment using electricity to expand that for funeral conference calls?

To have multiple people call at the same time would require that the center be equiped with multiple lines.

 

[T. ModestoPhD]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

thanks for the info. I'll look into companies that do that. My concern is that these are I believe internet services, am I correct in my understanding? If that is the case then if the internet is down or the companies that provide the service to individuals is down then that could be a problem. If it just telephone companies then that might be a possibility

Can you think of any other was to have funeral services under those conditions?
TM

 

[MHSC]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

I think there are conference call services available through major phone providers.

 

[hawkeye]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

Yeah, you should probably start with your current phone provider. Be sure to ask them if they rely on the internet, if so, what do they do incase it goes down (they will probably laugh and say that the internet can not go down.)

 

[Amish Country]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

Hi All
How about radio broadcasts? They can target specific areas. It's reliability depends on the people or lack of people manning the station and its transmitters and the number of people who have radios in their homes or working in their cars. The stations would probably be doing a lot of emergency broad cast information notices anyway. I'm not sure if it would be expensive or go under the heading of Public Service, that may depend on the individual station.

It seems so impersonal for a funeral but considering the dangers of further spread of a pandemic it is better than nothing and may give some comfort and closure.

 

[T. ModestoPhD]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

radio is good when there is electricity but when out so is the radio station since most do not have major back up generators. Its a good idea really when there is electricity.
Thanks
TM

 

[Gnosis]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

I remember the quip, but not who to attibute it to: From the 19th century to the 20th century to the 19th century.
It feels like that when discussing gatherings at home around the radio.

 

[DeadAhead]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

The big problem is that few people still maintain landlines served with plug-in telephones. Most folks I know use either cell phones or cordless, or both, at home. I have two landlines, each leading to both a plugged-in phone and a cordless.

So I think such funerals would be poorly attended.

I have confirmed that the big telcos maintain massive batteries at key locations. These take over telephone service the moment a blackout occurs, and they are backed with big generators that the companies maintain independently of the grid. Short of a total prolonged collapse of our poer grid--more than a week or two at a time, as opposed to sporadic blackouts or shorter ones--landline users should be okay on that front.

Finally, I envision a time when there is no way to dispose of bodies. Urban residents will be trying to inter loved ones in public parks. Nasty.

Be well,
DA

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

I remember the quip, but not who to attibute it to: From the 19th century to the 20th century to the 19th century.
It feels like that when discussing gatherings at home around the radio.

This seems feasible for extreme situations. There could be a somewhat generic funeral over all available media at a specific time. Hopefully they could add names of those they knew to be recently deceased.

It's certainly preferable to NO funeral.

.

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

When the ice storm happened in Qu?bec at the beginning of 1998, it became evident that what was most reliable was the radio. A battery radio is an off to get tune to the dedicated frequences for recomfort in a crisis.

I was aware of the making of some radio capsules with pragmatic tips on how to cope medically and psychologically, there will be probably some open lines for some interactions.

Public broadcasting could indeed be used locally for funerals, but I presume it will have to be coordonated locally.

 

[alfalfacentari]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

Yes this is now a practical solution.

Phone conferencing companies are a growing business. We use one to connect up to 100 different phones around the US and the world at once for a one-way lecture or two-way chat. This costs about $.12 per minute for each line.

The internet has free chat software such as Ventrilo that allow 100 or more people to receive lectures or two-way chat as well.

I used Ventrilo tonight to do an internet lecture with about 50 hookups. Works great.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

Thanks Alfalfacentari.

 

[hawkeye]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

Mortuary Puts Funerals on Webcasts


Northern Ireland Undertakers Pioneer Webcast Funerals for Far-Flung Mourners

By SHAWN POGATCHNIK

BELFAST, Northern Ireland Mar 12, 2007 (AP)? In Ireland, they bury people quickly and now they're harnessing the speed of the Internet to help families grieve across the globe.

A Northern Ireland mortuary director has launched a pioneering service of broadcasting funerals on its Web site for mourners too distant, ill or busy to make it in person. It's reckoned to be the first of its kind worldwide.

"We have one camera to give you the perspective of the minister looking out to the congregation, one showing the hearse and cortege of mourners outside, and one that looks like you're sitting in amidst the mourners," said Jim Clarke of Clarke & Son undertakers in Newtownards, an eastern suburb of Belfast.

The family-owned firm, founded in 1918 by Clarke's grandfather, began experimenting with streaming audio and video of funeral services two years ago at its other mortuary and chapel in another nearby suburb, Bangor.

It is launching new software and a suite of cameras at its second funeral home in Newtownards this week a development that, to the surprise of Clarke, has spurred international interest.

Clarke said more funeral homes should take advantage of the Internet, particularly in places like Ireland, where funerals typically happen within three days of a death and a tradition of emigration can mean cousins from Calgary to Canberra.

"It used to be that we'd be asked: Is there any chance you can take a tape recording of the service for our friends in Canada? We always did that. Now we can offer so much more," he said.

About 20 percent of the company's clients use the Web broadcast, or about 50 funerals so far at the two chapels beside the mortuaries, according to Clarke. It carries no additional charge.

He said the service last year proved invaluable for two brothers one living in New Zealand, the other in the United States who had traveled back to Northern Ireland to visit an ill relative who then died.

"They said, `There's no way we can get our wives and families here at such short notice,' and we had the solution to hand. It really removes a burden for some families," Clarke said.

Just last week, he said, the funeral home negotiated with an internet service provider in New Zealand to upgrade one woman's connection temporarily to high-speed broadband so that she could see her sister's funeral without freezing screens or dropped audio.

Not just anybody can log on to eavesdrop on the grief. The service requires special software downloads and password access controlled by Clarke & Son.

"We're trying to use the latest technology to help families in a time of need," Clarke said. "We're not trying to encourage morbid curiosity. There is far too much of that on the Internet already."

On the Net:

Clarke & Son on-line funerals, http://www.sclarkeandson.co.uk/services/online/

 

[gjs47]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

The family-owned firm, founded in 1918 by Clarke's grandfather, began experimenting with streaming audio and video of funeral services two years ago at its other mortuary and chapel in another nearby suburb, Bangor.

Interesting founding year. May also be an interestingly coincidental year for adding this new approach.

 

[T. ModestoPhD]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

Over the years I have had a lot of requests asking me as a pastor if I had copies of the funeral message I delivered or if I would object to a tape recorder being present. I personally had no trouble and thought that it might be helpful to those who are experiencing 'distant grief'. I even encouraged a video taping of a funeral for a family where the father died very young and the child was about 3 years old. And most likely would not remember the funeral. When the daughter becomes older it may help to have that sort of grief support resource.<o></o>
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Frankly, this is not too unusual when one thinks of all the ways throughout history that individuals and communities have tried to capture those last moments with a loved one including death masks (famous example President Abe Lincoln) , hand prints. hair clippings that have often been braided and made into elaborate thanostic (death related) art displays (especially in Victorian era), tooth / teeth in a necklace, photos and drawings of the deceased, relics of bones, cloth and even splinters of wood from the floor that the person who has died walked on or died on is kept and treasured as very significant. These are just a few of the examples.<o></o>
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In my course Distant Grief ~ Far Away <st1ersonName w:st="on">Tear</st1ersonName>s there is a good discussion on creative ways to help those who are grieving from a distance. The more we are a mobile society and global family, the more we will need to find creative means to address the grief that we have when a loved one dies.<o></o>
<o> </o>
Some excellent ways that may help to generate creativity about ways to grieve in a healthy manner are the ones that families use when an infant dies or fetus dies prior to birth. There are so many touching ways that family have created or found that have helped to address the pain of such loss.
<o> </o>
Prior to the Civil War / War Between The States (as it is called by many in the Southern portion of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">US</st1lace></st1:country-region>) there were a number of creative ways that families used to help with their grief since those who died far away were buried at the geographical location of the death. Starting during the peak of the Civil War / War Between The States embalming was just starting to become available for the general military population and 'embalming theaters? were established just behind the battle fields and 'undertakers' ( those who took the dead under the ground) / ?morticians? ( those involved in death ?mort = death in Latin) were very busy 12-18 hours a day embalming bodies for transport home on both sides of the conflict. World War II was the last of the major wars for the <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> and <st1lace w:st="on">Western Europe</st1lace> that had significant burial of military members on 'foreign' soil. From Korea War and Viet Nam Conflict the thrust has been that no one is left behind dead or alive and as many as possible are brought home for burial. That is why there is still an emphasis on recovery searches for Missing In Action military members from the <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Viet Nam</st1:country-region></st1lace> conflict in particular.<o></o>
<o> </o>
10-15 yeas ago, it was unique for a spouse or loved one to take pictures of the birthing of a baby, now it is much more common. I believe that what you have shown us in this article will be much more common in the months and years ahead. With more public funerals being broadcasted around the world of the famous, in time it will become common for the general population to have their own broadcasts of their funerals as well.<o></o>
<o> </o>
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Very interesting article and funeral service support.
<o> </o>
My question is: How would you feel about :
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1-[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->Seeing a video of a loved one?s funeral far away?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2-[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->Being part of the actual funeral service knowing that it was being recorded?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3-[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->Would you be willing to request a video of a loved one?s funeral?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4-[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->Would you want YOUR funeral video recorded? Why or Why Not?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5-[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->Do you think recorded funerals are helpful? Appropriate? Respectful?
<o> </o>
Interested in everyone?s comments.<o></o>
Terrie Modesto

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

My question is: How would you feel about :

Seeing a video of a loved one’s funeral far away?
I am fine with that.

Being part of the actual funeral service knowing that it was being recorded?
Also fine.

Would you be willing to request a video of a loved one’s funeral?
I do not like funerals much. I would not request a video of one.

Would you want YOUR funeral video recorded? Why or Why Not?
I prefer not to have a funeral or memorial service. If my family has one anyway, then I do not care if they record it or not.

Do you think recorded funerals are helpful? Appropriate? Respectful?
If the family wants/needs it yes, yes, yes.
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[Laidback Al]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

I pretty much share Florida1's sentiments about funerals. My comments in bold.

Seeing a video of a loved one?s funeral far away?
I agree with Florida1, especially during a pandemic.

Being part of the actual funeral service knowing that it was being recorded?
No problem for me.

Would you be willing to request a video of a loved one?s funeral?
No, I would prefer to remember happier times with the person.

Would you want YOUR funeral video recorded? Why or Why Not?
I won't be around to view it, so I am indifferent. It all depends who the funeral service is for. Is it for the deceased or is it a ceremony that helps brings closure for the remaining loved ones. Those who are left behind may want that form of rememberance.

Do you think recorded funerals are helpful? Appropriate? Respectful?
I think it is very situationally dependent on the survivors and the attendees. Some may want to memoralize the occasion and others may want to put the event behind them not wishing to dredge up unhappy memories.

 

[Amish Country]

Re: Funerals by Phone?

My question is: How would you feel about :

- Seeing a video of a loved one?s funeral far away?
All for it if it can help bring closure.

- Being part of the actual funeral service knowing that it was being recorded?
Not a problem.

- Would you be willing to request a video of a loved one?s funeral?
Good question. Not sure. I happen to think some funeral practices are rather barbaric. Like the viewing. I would prefer a short service and a memorial dinner in a place where friends and loved ones could chat and mingel. Grief is a personal expersion that is sometimes more easaily dealt with when shared. I'd like to think of my friends and family sharing it with some good food and a little wine.

- Would you want YOUR funeral video recorded? Why or Why Not?
Funerals are more for the living than the dead. If it would bring those left behind some comfort in the future maybe. If it would just reopen old wounds of grief no. Since I would not be in position to object the decision would not be mine anyway.

- Do you think recorded funerals are helpful? Appropriate? Respectful?
Helpful? Possibly. Appropriate? For those who cannot attend due to distance or infirmity, it may be very helpful in bringing closure. Appropriate? A lot would depend on how it is done. Dose anyone remember going to a wedding and remember only seeing photographer and what he or she was doing? It would have to be tastefully and respectfully done.

Interested in everyone?s comments.
Terrie Modesto

Hi Terrie. Hope this is helpful.