GRIEVING relatives unable to attend their loved one’s funeral will now be able to watch from home via the internet.

Bournemouth crematorium has installed a webcasting facility, which will see the service broadcast via secure web link.

It is perhaps not how most friends or family would wish to say goodbye but it will help elderly relatives or those living abroad.

The borough council is launching the webcasting service from Monday and families can pay to allow friends and relatives to view services at the crematorium in Strouden Avenue.

Funeral directors will pay the council £45 for the service.

Linda Barker, bereavement manager at Bournemouth Council, said: “Being able to view a webcast of a burial or cremation of a loved one can offer people a great deal of comfort if they are unable to attend the actual ceremony.

“Our staff work hard to ensure that each individual case is treated with compassion and kindness as well as being in line with guidelines provided by the Charter for the Bereaved.

“We ensure that the families of the bereaved receive first class customer care at what can be a sensitive and difficult time.”

From Monday families can ask the funeral director to have the funeral service streamed live online in either the East or the West chapel.

There is a small camera in each chapel, focused on the minister or celebrant giving the service, and the chapel has microphones around the room to reflect the full ambience during the service.

Each webcast will have a secure password for the family to give to relatives and friends who want to watch.

There is a charge to have access to a webcast, which needs to be booked with the funeral director at least 48 hours before the service. Families will also have the option to buy a CD or DVD of the service as well.

Webcasting funerals have grown in popularity, in recent years especially for more high profile services, like that of the funeral of African-American teenager Michael Brown was streamed live as was the funeral of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes.

Bournemouth crematorium is the first in the area to offer this service.

A Borough of Poole spokesman said: “We currently have no plans at present to webcast from the crematorium. It may be something that we consider for the future if we receive requests from relatives.”

For more information, please contact the Bereavement Services team.