What is a Virtual Memorial Service?

As technology advances, so does the way we say goodbye to our loved ones. A virtual memorial service is a unique and growing trend in the funeral industry that allows friends and family members to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away, even if they are unable to attend the funeral in person. Through a virtual memorial service, friends and family can view a live or recorded video of the funeral, say goodbye to their loved one through an online guestbook, and even listen to eulogies delivered by loved ones.

Things to Consider When Providing Virtual Memorial Services

Funeral homes considering providing virtual memorial services should weigh a few factors before taking the plunge. The first consideration is how well the home can support virtual visits. This means having the necessary equipment, bandwidth, and IT support in place to provide a good experience for those paying their respects online.

Another important factor to consider is pricing. Virtual memorial services can be more expensive to offer than traditional funerals, so it’s important to set appropriate rates and make sure that people understand the costs involved.

Finally, funeral homes need to market their virtual memorial services effectively. This involves creating a strategy for reaching out to families who may be interested in using this type of service. Social media and online advertising are two great ways to get the word out about virtual memorials.

Advantages of a Virtual Memorial Service

When someone dies, their loved ones often want to gather together to say goodbye and honor their memory. However, in today’s hectic world, this isn’t always possible. A virtual memorial service provides a way for friends and family to come together and celebrate the life of their loved one, even if they are unable to attend the funeral in person.

Some of the advantages of a virtual memorial service include:

1. Friends and family can view a live or recorded video of the funeral from anywhere in the world.
2. They can leave messages of condolence and support in an online guestbook.
3. They can listen to eulogies delivered by loved ones.
4. The service can be tailored to the specific needs of the family and loved ones.
5. It is a cost-effective way to celebrate a life and say goodbye.

Disadvantages of a Virtual Memorial Service

While virtual memorial services offer many benefits for friends and family members of the deceased, they also have a few disadvantages. First, virtual memorial services can be expensive, especially if you need to hire a company to help with the video recording and hosting of the service. Second, not everyone has access to the internet or knows how to use technology, so they may not be able to take part in the virtual memorial service. Lastly, some people find it difficult to say goodbye to their loved ones online, without being able to see their face or touch their hand.

Contact MKS&H for Help with the Financial Planning of Your Funeral Home

MKS&H provides tax and accounting services to businesses of every size and in every industry, including the death care industry. Our team can help your business gain confidence in your important accounting reports and make better, more educated financial decisions. Contact us today for a consultation.

About MKS&H: McLean, Koehler, Sparks & Hammond (MKS&H) is a professional service firm with offices in Hunt Valley and Frederick. MKS&H helps owners and organizational leaders become more successful by putting complex financial data into truly meaningful context. But deeper than dollars and data, our focus is on developing an understanding of you, your culture and your business goals. This approach enables our clients to achieve their greatest potential.

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