Case Study: African Funeral Streaming in Hertfordshire

Background

In early 2024, I was commissioned to provide funeral live streaming for a powerful and deeply cultural service in Hertfordshire. The day began at St Francis of Assisi Church, Welwyn Garden City, followed by the burial at Hatfield Hyde Cemetery.

This was an African funeral, rich in tradition, music, and community. The family’s priority was to ensure that their relatives and friends, many of whom lived overseas, could join in the farewell. More than 500 viewers across 20 countries connected to the private live stream, creating a truly global congregation.

African funeral streaming has become increasingly important for families who want to preserve traditions while including relatives abroad. For this family, streaming was not just about access, but about honouring culture and faith with dignity.

Challenge

African funerals bring unique considerations:

• Cultural traditions: Music, drumming, and extended family participation required careful audio coverage.

• Large attendance: The church was full, so camera placement had to be discreet yet comprehensive.

• Multiple venues: Coverage had to include both the church and the burial at Hatfield Hyde Cemetery.

• Global audience: With over 500 viewers expected worldwide, reliability was critical.

Approach

Preparation

I arrived early to assess both the church and cemetery. This gave me time to coordinate with the funeral directors, plan cable placement, and prepare for transitions between venues.

Camera setup

• A wide camera for the congregation, coffin arrival, and atmosphere.

• A close camera for readings, tributes, and music.

• At the burial, an outdoor camera covered the prayers and committal.

This ensured that online viewers could see the scale of the service as well as the intimate family moments.

Audio

Clear sound was essential, especially with traditional drumming and music. I placed microphones at the lectern, on the minister, and within the congregation. This captured prayers, tributes, and African songs without distortion.

Connectivity

With so many viewers watching abroad, I used four bonded 4G/5G connections to guarantee a smooth, uninterrupted stream across all devices.

The Service

The funeral began with the arrival of the coffin, accompanied by traditional African drumming. This set the tone for a service that was both solemn and celebratory.

• Inside the church: Prayers, scripture, and gospel music filled St Francis of Assisi. Family and friends offered tributes, sharing stories that captured the personality and faith of the deceased.

• Global connection: Relatives in Ghana, Nigeria, the USA, and Europe watched live, leaving messages of support that reached the family instantly.

This combination of music, community, and technology created a service that was both deeply cultural and widely accessible.

The Burial at Hatfield Hyde Cemetery

The cortege then travelled to Hatfield Hyde Cemetery, a peaceful resting place with trees and greenery. Here, the committal was streamed live, capturing final prayers, hymns, and the lowering of the coffin.

African funerals often include community singing at the graveside, and this was no exception. Online viewers joined in, creating a sense of unity across continents.

The Finale

The day concluded with heartfelt goodbyes at the cemetery. Those attending in person were supported by the global presence of family and friends online.

For the family, the ability to include relatives across 20 countries was a source of immense comfort. Whether in Ghana, the USA, Korea, or Liberia, they were able to join together in mourning and celebration.

Outcome

The family received:

• A full HD recording of both the church service and the burial.

• A private live stream link active for 12 months.

• A downloadable copy for permanent keeping.

For them, the service was more than a farewell — it was a connection across borders, preserving tradition while embracing modern technology.

FAQs About African Funeral Streaming

• Do you provide live streaming for African funerals in the UK?

  Yes. We have extensive experience streaming African funerals across London, Hertfordshire, and nationwide.

• How do you capture African music and traditions?

  We use multiple microphones to capture drums, choirs, and speeches with clarity, ensuring cultural elements are preserved.

• For African Funerals, can you cover both church and cemetery services?

  Yes. During African Funerals, we plan transitions carefully so both venues are streamed without interruption.

• Do you also film African funerals as well as stream them?

  Yes. We provide cinematic funeral videography alongside live streaming.

Why Choose Us for African Funeral Streaming

This funeral in Hertfordshire demonstrated how African funeral streaming can unite families across the world. With over 2,500 funerals’ worth of experience, we understand the cultural importance of these ceremonies and the need for sensitivity and professionalism.

➡️ Learn more about our services:

• Funeral videography

• Funeral live streaming

• Funeral photography

• Tribute films and slideshows

• AV Support

Contact us on 07772 509101

Case Studies and real funerals we have filmed

To see how our services work in practice, visit our Funeral Live Streaming video Examples page, where you can explore real case studies and videos from churches, cemeteries, cultural services, and military ceremonies.

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10. Case Study: Military Funeral Streaming at Wellington Barracks, Westminster

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12. Case Study: Ghanaian & African Funeral Streaming in Hertfordshire

13. Case Study: Royal Navy Funeral Streaming in Exeter

14. Case Study: Nigerian Funeral Streaming in Croydon