We are living in an increasingly digital age, and it impacts nearly all facets of our lives. From going contactless to working remotely, technology is rapidly changing our habits and cultural norms.

Its impact is not just restricted to how we live but also how we die and grieve. Digital disruption is slowly permeating the highly traditional funeral industry, which has largely remained unchanged for generations. But as our interaction with technology changes so, too, do our expectations. If funerary services want to stay ahead of the competition they have to change to meet those expectations or risk being left behind.

Dundee Crematorium to Embrace Connectivity

An example of this can be seen in the recent announcement that Dundee funeral directors and operators, Dignity, are investing £400,000 in the modernisation of the Dundee Crematorium building.

Along with traditional refurbishments, such as lighting and decor, they have decided to add a digital enhancement to a very ritualistic and traditional service. As part of their revamp, the crematorium will have a video tribute facility installed.

This new digital addition to the venue will include live-streaming technology, enabling friends and family around the world who are unable to attend, to experience a service. The live-streaming of such events involves a discreet video camera being set up to film the event, which is then broadcast online on a password-protected site for the benefit of mourners not in attendance.

Dignity manager Vincent Millar said: “In the long term, residents will have a modern crematorium that provides a fitting venue for them to say a last farewell to their loved ones.”

A survey conducted by insurer Royal London in 2017 suggested that the popularity of live-streaming cremations and funerals might just be limited to younger people, though.

According to the company’s research, one in three British millennials would be happy to watch a live-stream if they could not go to a cremation or funeral in person, compared to one in four people aged over 35.

But more than half of those surveyed went so far as to say watching a funeral online would be “morbid” or “insensitive”.

Mona Patel, Royal London’s consumer spokeswoman, said: “It is understandable that most people would prefer to attend a funeral in person wherever possible.

“But with so many people saying they have been forced to miss a funeral, live-streaming could be an option for those who would like to pay their last respects but aren’t able to attend in person.

“Many older people are not comfortable with this, but it is noticeable that younger people are much more open to paying their respects in a different way.”

While it may seem slightly ghoulish to an older generation to live-stream such an event, the reality is that live-streaming events and videos has become the norm.

The Dundee facility is not alone in taking death into the digital age. Already in Wales there is a tech company, About the Funeral, that has set up their version of Compare The Market but for a variety of services related to funerals. It is meeting a strong demand as, according to YouGov research, 85% of people want funeral prices published online for greater transparency.

Digital disruption in the death industry is occurring more frequently from digital signage within chapels to interactive tombstones and funerary software to help the operation run more efficiently.