Funeral webcasts prompt mourners’ protests

An attempt by some Dutch parishes to use social media to expand their outreach has prompted protests after some families found funerals of loved ones were online and available for downloading, writes Tom Heneghan.

One of those upset by the videos was Stein Spijkerman, a parishioner of St George’s Church in Eindhoven, who told local television that he only found out after his father’s funeral last month that the whole service could be viewed online. Dutch Church Broadcasting, which provides the webcast service for parishes that want it, said parishioners could ask for password-only access to funeral videos.