# Can Funerals Be Broadcast on Social Media?
The question of whether funerals can be broadcast on social media has become increasingly relevant in our connected world. The answer is yes, funerals can be broadcast on social media, but there are important rules, considerations, and potential consequences that families need to understand before deciding to livestream a funeral service.
## Understanding the Basics of Funeral Livestreaming
Funeral livestreaming has become a practical solution for people who cannot attend services in person due to distance, health concerns, or other limitations. This technology allows family members and friends from around the world to participate in the service remotely, creating what many consider an inclusive experience during a difficult time. However, the ability to broadcast does not mean there are no restrictions or considerations involved.
The primary rule is straightforward: families have the right to decide whether their funeral service is broadcast. This decision rests with the primary next of kin or the person authorized to make decisions about the funeral arrangements. If a family wants to livestream their funeral, they can do so, but they need to be aware of several important factors that could affect their decision.
## Privacy and Family Control
One of the most critical aspects of funeral livestreaming is maintaining control over who sees the service and how it is shared. Some families are comfortable sharing recorded services and digital tributes with the entire world, while others want to keep things private and restricted to close family and friends only [4]. This distinction matters significantly because once something is posted online, controlling its spread becomes extremely difficult.
If a family chooses to use social media platforms like Facebook or YouTube to livestream a funeral, they need to understand that privacy settings can be tricky. If privacy settings are not configured correctly, the memorial page may appear in search engine results, making it accessible to people who were never invited to view it [4]. Additionally, anyone who is granted access to view the livestream can easily take screenshots and share them with others, even if the family has password-protected the site or set it to private [4].
This loss of control over the content is one reason why many families and funeral professionals recommend using dedicated funeral livestreaming services rather than general social media platforms. These specialized services provide a private viewing experience away from social media platforms, which helps preserve the dignity and privacy of the funeral service [3].
## Copyright Issues and Financial Risks
One of the most surprising aspects of funeral livestreaming involves copyright law. If a family livestreams a funeral with background music on Facebook or YouTube, they could potentially face serious legal consequences. Specifically, if the funeral includes copyrighted music such as hymns or popular songs, the family could face copyright fines that reach as high as 150,000 dollars [2]. This is not a theoretical risk but a real legal exposure that families need to consider when planning a livestreamed funeral.
The copyright issue arises because music used during funeral services is often protected intellectual property. When that music is broadcast on social media platforms, it triggers copyright detection systems that can result in significant financial penalties. Families planning to livestream should either use royalty-free music, obtain proper licenses for the music they want to use, or consult with their funeral home about music licensing options.
## Technical Challenges and Quality Concerns
Broadcasting a funeral successfully requires more than just pressing a button on a smartphone or computer. Many funeral homes have not invested in quality technology such as good microphones to make the sound clear over the stream [4]. Sometimes speakers do not speak directly into microphones, and outdoor services can be affected by wind noise that makes it difficult for remote viewers to hear what is being said [4]. Additionally, remote viewers may miss important parts of the service if speakers are not positioned within the camera’s field of view [4].
These technical issues are common enough that funeral professionals recommend having a dedicated person whose job is specifically to ensure the stream is working properly [4]. Often, people assume they can simply set up a stream and it will work fine, but in reality, many problems can show up during the actual service [4]. The person in charge needs to ensure that the camera and sound quality are good and that everyone participating remotely is muted to avoid background noise and interruptions [4].
## Platform Options for Livestreaming
Families have several options when deciding where to livestream a funeral. The most common choices are general social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, or specialized funeral livestreaming services.
General social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube are familiar to most people and relatively easy to use. However, they come with the copyright risks mentioned earlier and may not provide the level of privacy that families desire. Additionally, these platforms may include advertisements or other interruptions during the stream, which many families find inappropriate for a funeral service.
Specialized funeral livestreaming services offer several advantages over general social media platforms. These services typically provide no ads or interruptions during the sensitive time of the funeral, one-click access for viewers on any device, and compatibility with smartphones, tablets, computers, and even smart televisions [3]. Many of these services automatically record the stream and make it available for replay for an extended period, often up to one year, giving family members ample time to revisit the service when they are emotionally ready [3].
Some specialized services also include helpful features for mourners, such as digital guestbooks where viewers can leave messages of support, automatic email reminders sent to guests one day and one hour before the service, notifications when the stream goes live, and options to include event programs, PDFs, or donation links with the stream [3].
## Limitations of Free Platforms
If a family chooses to use Zoom for funeral livestreaming, they should be aware of significant limitations. The free Zoom plan limits streams to 40 minutes and 100 participants [3]. While this might be sufficient for a graveside service, it is likely inadequate for a full funeral or memorial service where more time and participants are expected [3].
## Arlington National Cemetery and Military Funeral Rules
For families arranging funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, there are specific rules about media coverage and livestreaming. Media representatives may not attend and cover private funeral services and private memorial services unless written media authorization is given by the primary next of kin or person authorized to make decisions, and media has pre-coordinated coverage with Arlington National Cemetery’s Public Affairs Office [1].
However, family-hired photographers and videographers may livestream a funeral service only with explicit permission from the primary next of kin or person authorized to make decisions, and only with the intent to broadcast the service to family and friends unable to attend the service [1]. This means that families do have the right to livestream at Arlington National Cemetery, but they must follow proper procedures and obtain necessary permissions.
## Data Privacy and Security Concerns
As funeral livestreaming and digital funeral services have grown, data privacy and cybersecurity have become major concerns. Funeral homes and technology companies must comply with evolving laws such as GDPR and CCPA [6]. Only 41 percent of digital platforms have adopte
