Something a little different
Had a phone call from Annie at R G Peate Funeral Directors asking for a recording and live stream for a funeral in a few weeks at a church not too far away.
While talking to Annie, my mind kept repeating over and over, don’t do it, don’t do it, so what do you think asked Annie, would you feel comfortable taking this on, yes, no problem I reply…..!!!!
To be fair, Annie was so good at explaining what was required and kept checking with me to see if I felt comfortable it did not seem to be such a worry……
Annie said there would be broadband at the church but being the “everything needs to be checked and tested” kinda guy that I am, I don’t want any surprises on the day, I asked to have a look at the venue – “venue”???, its not a wedding Adam! – church – no problem, Annie said we could both go and have a look, so a meeting was arranged.
We got to the church and the first thing to be tested was the broadband speed, oh no, 2Mb/s download, 500Kb/s upload, this will not do. I explain to Annie that live stream would be impossible and being out in the sticks, no 4G or 5G to hotspot a phone. I suggested that the recording could be done for later viewing, Annie went off to put this to the family who said that would be fine.
The funeral day arrives. In terms of preparation, I don’t need much to take, just a video camera and mics, it feels odd working light. The journey over there I constantly felt I had forgotten something.
I arrive early, feeling actually very nervous, I decide, while the grounds of the church were empty, to take some drone shots that would do as an opening to the video story – and, a little like a wedding, I thought I’d run this as a story of events celebrating the life of this family member.
I set up at the rear of the church, I’m pretty sure no one will want me at the front, and pick a good location that will allow me to capture the size of the congregation and those that will be making speeches and sharing memories.
While everyone gathered, Geraint from RG Peate came up to me and said hello, this is the first time we've met, so lovely, asked if everything was okay and thanked me so much for helping them out.
As I’m right at the back of the church, I use a wireless mic, similar to the ones used in the recent chamber music recordings a few weeks ago, this will pick everything up crystal clear and as it will be positioned so not to get knocked, I used a wide field mic which did the job perfectly.
With the service completed and as people gathered outside, I thought it would be great to get the drone up, high enough not to be a nuisance and far back to capture the beauty of the church, it’s surroundings and the people gathered there.
After post production was completed, I did not upload straight away, I just needed to be sure that the recordings captured would be acceptable to Annie at R G Peate and if she thought the family would also be happy with it.
“Annie
Good morning Adam,
Thank you so much for the video of the service yesterday. I've watched it and I am so impressed with it. You've done a smashing job. The picture is perfect, and the sound quality is excellent. This is very special and the family will be so very pleased……”
Phew – that is so reassuring to know as it would seem, I have another funeral service to record in a couple of weeks’ time!
Would I do this on a few more occasions – funeral recording is so different to the day-to-day wedding, commercial, community work I normally get, you are pretty much in the middle of a lot of sadness and a stranger amongst family and friends as well, but this is why you are here, to provide a means to share all those life experiences through friends and family memories.
Having now done two, I do feel differently about it. The recordings are to enable families of lost ones to reach out further to those that cannot be there and in some respects, have something to look back on – and why would you look back on a funeral service – well, some of the memories that people share and the love they have of a lost one, those words and memories said at that time, during a service are so precious, in a few years, or even a few months, once the sadness has passed, I can see how looking back at this little chapter in ones life could be something to cherish.
I've heard tales of loving Nans and Grandads, how they’ve inspired young ones and the love and protection they’ve offered as well as the amazing life’s they’ve led. Beautiful words, enough to make this photographer realise that life is very short and you have to make every day count.
Update: 02/11/2024
Now having completed the 2nd service in as many weeks, the requirement for good internet connectivity independent of the venue will be investigated further with some interesting technology from such areas as marine etc. Tethering to a mobile phone for full HD and high quality audio makes me nervous even though it did work on this occasion.....
Hi Adam,
It was good to meet you too and thank you for your assistance in getting my slideshow up and running. I must thank you also for getting the video uploaded so quickly. It really is a lovely record of the event. I am pleased to report also that the live stream was easily watchable with perfect audio and only occasional interruptions to the video.
Thank you so much for it all
Kind regards
Andy
Big thanks to Geraint and his team for making me feel welcome and at ease. On the second recording all his staff came up to me and said how much they liked the first video. :)
