Helpful Information

How far do you travel to stream a funeral?

Mark covers events across the UK. Travel up to 90 minutes each way is included in his standard pricing. For locations requiring more than 90 minutes of driving each way, an additional travel fee applies. If the journey exceeds 3 hours each way, accommodation costs may also be required.

Why is planning important before invoicing?

Careful planning ensures a smooth workflow and avoids unexpected issues. Checking parking arrangements, connectivity, and access to the building before invoicing for the funeral live stream helps prevent delays and additional costs. The last thing anyone wants is to disturb the client on the morning of the funeral—especially during their time of mourning—because of preventable issues. Proper preparation guarantees a seamless experience for both the videographer and the client.

Connectivity and Streaming Quality

To ensure a high-quality live stream, we aim for at least five connections with a bitrate of approximately 7 Mbps. We achieve this by bonding our mobile broadband SIM cards with the venue’s Wi-Fi, enhancing the reliability and stability of the internet connection during the broadcast.

What if there is no connectivity?

In locations with limited network coverage or weak venue Wi-Fi — often due to thick stone walls, large crowds, or rural settings — I use bonded SIM connections via LiveU TV to maximise stability. If mobile signal is unavailable, Starlink satellite internet can be arranged for an additional fee. However, even with Starlink, a successful broadcast cannot be guaranteed, as it depends on having a clear view of the sky.

In one case, Starlink failed to connect at a rural church in Coed-y-Paen, South Wales, due to trees blocking the required sky coverage. However, in another instance, in Offenham a client arranged and tested a Starlink unit in advance, which resulted in a flawless broadcast. This shows that with good planning and the right conditions, it can be highly effective.

If livestreaming isn’t possible, the service is always recorded in full and is uploaded as soon as Mark gets home.

Global Connections

We often receive calls from families in Australia and other countries, reflecting the far-reaching impact and importance of keeping loved ones connected during difficult times.

Will it be a distraction?

Concerns about live streaming being a distraction during a funeral service are understandable. Rest assured, we handle it with great care. We use small, discreet cameras and microphones, often operating in a fixed position from a balcony or another out-of-the-way spot to ensure minimal presence. This setup ensures that the focus remains entirely on the service, allowing those attending in person to participate without interruption, while also providing a respectful way for remote participants to join in.

How long does it take to set up?

Setting up a single-camera broadcast typically takes between 15 to 30 minutes, as it involves minimal equipment. We always allocate additional time for microphone setup to ensure optimal audio quality. For a two-camera stream, the setup is more complex due to the increased amount of equipment needed. This setup enhances the viewing experience by allowing us to switch between close-ups of speakers and broader overview shots, especially useful when attendees are standing. To ensure everything runs smoothly, your live-streamer aims to be on-site at least 90 minutes before the broadcast commences for single-camera setups, or two hours prior for multi-camera setups.

Our Equipment

We use high-quality broadcast cameras with excellent lens quality, amazing auto-focus, and zoom capabilities to capture every emotional detail. Additionally, we bring a compact pocket camera to provide a bonus angle, enhancing the coverage and seamlessly integrating it into the master recording for a more complete and respectful viewing experience.

4G Network Bonding:

Our LiveU Solo Pro 4G bonded network modem/encoder enables us to use up to four network SIM cards simultaneously, in addition to the venue Wi-Fi connection, ensuring sufficient upload speed for a high-quality video broadcast. We monitor the broadcast by mobile phone and use a second phone as a backup or if there is a need to hotspot from it. If clear HD cannot be achieved in a blackspot area, the master recording will be uploaded to the player as soon as possible.

Radio Microphones:

We use two different types. The DJI Mics are good for recording audio at the same time as transmitting, in case there is magnetic interference. These mics are easier to put on the vicar and therefore preferred as they are held by just a magnet and clip with no wire involved. The wired lav mics are used in bigger venues where the speaker is farther away from the camera.