BIRTHDAYS, WEDDINGS AND anniversaries are now all celebrated online, so it was almost inevitable that live web-streaming funerals for friends and loved ones living overseas had to be next.
The Haven, the new premises of Massey Bros. funeral directors, was officially opened today and features the latest internet technology to allow people to attend funerals virtually.
The funeral venue located on the Crumlin Road is the result of a €150,000 refurbishment of the interior and the installation of the latest audiovisual, internet technology. People living elsewhere in Ireland or in any other country in the world will be able to attend the funeral ‘virtually’ via Skype by logging onto Massey Bangor-Drv.
Freddie Maguire, managing director, Massey Bros. said that over the past number of years requests for choice have increased.
We know that the majority of families in Ireland now have at least one member living overseas. That is in addition to the large number of people from overseas who have made Ireland their home. It is not always possible for people to get home quickly to attend a funeral so we made the decision to invest in technology which would allow for people to be present via the internet.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise Ó Muirí officially opened the venue which is also Ireland’s first dedicated civil and religious funeral ceremony venue.
“The last census showed that the number of people in Ireland with no religious affiliation had increased by 45 per cent to almost 270,000 people. It is important to us that they have a place in which they can mark the passing of a loved one in a dignified and respectful manner,” added Mr Maguire.
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