Fife crematoria webcasting delay could finally be solved this week

Funeral webcasting could finally be in place at Fife crematoria this week after the local authority was “caught out” by demand for the service during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the start of lockdown no more than six mourners have been allowed at funerals and Fife Council threatened to ban all family from attending services after large groups congregated in the grounds of Fife’s two crematoria in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline.

The council said infrastructure was now in place to offer live streaming of funeral services at both crematoria and it was waiting for the necessary equipment to arrive.

Webcasting is already offered at private crematoria in neighbouring areas including Dundee and Edinburgh.

Labour councillor Alistair Cameron said there had not been demand for the service in Fife until lockdown began.

He expressed disappointment that webcasting had not been available for grieving families during the first six weeks of lockdown but said council staff were working to get the necessary equipment in place.

A Fife funeral director, who did not want to be named, said families would welcome the opportunity to watch funerals online, but questioned why the service had not been offered before.

Senior manager Alan Paul, from Fife Council property services, said: “We are working hard to make this really difficult time as stress-free as possible for families and loved ones within current restrictions.

“Work is progressing on our ability to webcast services.”

Work is progressing on our ability to webcast services. ALAN PAUL, FIFE COUNCIL