North Thomson Funeral Home has a new service to offer its clients.
The funeral home recently began live streaming funerals, celebrations of live and other services held in its premises over the Internet.
The optional service can be of great benefit to family members who cannot attend because of age, cost, distance and/or weather, said funeral director Drake Smith.
“We often have people who are unable to attend, especially in winter,” he said.
The live streaming service recently got its first tryout during the funeral of a longtime local resident. About two dozen people attended in Clearwater.
However, the woman was originally from the eastern United States and several family members participated in the service over the Internet from there.
The live stream feed typically goes over the Internet with only a short delay, said Smith. The family then has the choice of removing it or keeping it there for several weeks, months or even years.