100 funerals watched online... now web f irm plans to launch abroad

AT LEAST two Irish funeral services are being watched online every week by mourners living outside Ireland.

Funerals Live was set up almost a year ago to enable emigrants and relatives living in far-flung countries to take part in the ceremony without having to travel back to Ireland.

Alan Foudy, the Co. Clare-based entrepreneur behind the venture, said the service has proved so successful he intends to launch it in Britain in the coming months.

He said: ‘We knew there was a market for it, with hundreds of thousands of people having emigrated from Ireland in the past few years.

‘We’ve covered almost 100 funerals at this stage all round the country, mainly for mourners in Australia, the US and Canada.

‘My next step is to launch in the UK, which is a potentially huge market, in June or July.’

The private broadcasts on the website – www.funeralslive.ie – are made available online no more than two hours after the funeral service for €350, or streamed live for €850.

Mr Foudy, 34, said he has encountered no opposition from priests about filming funeral ceremonies, including the burial.

He said: ‘It’s a very professional, discreet and respectful service we provide. Filming is not intrusive and takes place at an appropriate distance away, so as not to disrupt the ceremony.

‘If someone is interested I tell them to first ask the parish priest. So far, all the priests have been happy enough with it.’

Mr Foudy believes that, in time, the service could become popular with mourners in hospitals, nursing homes and even prisons.