Case Study: Funeral Streaming at Croydon & Lambeth Cemetery, Tooting

funeral streamingFuneral Videographerfuneral videographycroydon funeral streamingFuneral Streaming Case StudiesLondon Funeralscroydon funeralsMulti-Location FuneralsFuneral Videography & Photography
Written By Shaun Foulds

Background

In South London, I was contacted by a family to help capture the funeral of their loved one at the New Testament Assembly Church in Tooting. With relatives spread across the UK and overseas, their priority was to ensure that everyone — no matter where they lived — could be part of the day. They were recommended my funeral live streaming services because of my experience in handling faith-based, multi-venue services with both discretion and professionalism.

In addition to professional funeral streaming, the family also wanted the day documented through photography. With my trusted colleague Patrick providing funeral photography, we covered the entire day together — from the church service to the committal at Lambeth Cemetery, and finally, the reception at the Festival Suite in Croydon.

With multiple venues involved and a large gathering expected, the family knew that experience, sensitivity, and reliability would be essential to ensure everything was recorded and streamed seamlessly.

Challenge

This funeral presented several unique challenges:

  • Multi-location coverage: Moving from church to cemetery to reception meant careful timing and coordination with funeral directors and family representatives. Packing up, travelling, and setting up again had to be done quickly and efficiently.

  • Vault committal: The service included a mechanical lowering of the coffin into the vault at Lambeth Cemetery — a moment requiring sensitive coverage while capturing the collective singing and prayers.

  • Cultural richness: Gospel music and traditional hymns were central to the service, so ensuring broadcast-quality audio for both in-person and online attendees was essential.

  • Unobtrusive filming: With large numbers of mourners present, it was important that cameras did not intrude on the service or disrupt the solemnity of the day.

  • Connectivity: Families overseas relied on the live stream to join the service, so uninterrupted streaming across three venues was critical.

Multi-location funerals are logistically demanding. To succeed, everything from transport timing to cable safety and backup connections needs to be carefully managed.

Approach

To manage the day effectively, I arrived early at the New Testament Assembly Church to set up.

Multi-camera filming

Two professional HD cameras were used:

  • Wide camera to capture the full service, choir, and congregation.

  • Close camera for tributes, readings, and key moments such as the coffin arrival and departure.

This multi-camera approach provides both creativity and redundancy — if one angle is blocked or technical issues occur, another camera ensures continuity. It’s a cornerstone of our multi-camera funeral streaming services.

Audio

Rather than relying on the church’s sound system, I placed microphones exactly where they were needed:

  • On the minister.

  • At the lectern for readings.

  • At positions where singers and musicians were performing.

  • Ambient microphones to capture the congregation’s responses, prayers, and atmosphere.

During the live stream, I switched between the relevant microphones at the right time. This allowed online viewers to hear everything clearly, from spoken tributes to communal singing.

Connectivity

Four bonded 4G/5G internet connections ensured reliable streaming. By combining multiple networks, the stream remained stable across all three venues.

Cemetery and reception setup

At Lambeth Cemetery, I set up discreetly near the vault, ensuring good angles while respecting the family’s space. For the reception at the Festival Suite in Croydon, I provided continued coverage of tributes and family moments, adapting quickly to the change in environment.

The Service

At the Church: The day began in Tooting, where the gospel choir filled the church with uplifting music. The service included scripture readings, prayers, and heartfelt tributes. Family members participated directly, with readings and messages that reflected both faith and personal memories.

The Graveside

At Lambeth Cemetery: After the service, mourners gathered at the vault for the committal. This was a particularly moving part of the day, as the coffin was mechanically lowered into the grave while the congregation surrounded the vault in song. The sound of hymns rising as the coffin descended created a powerful, unifying moment of grief and hope.

Capturing this respectfully was crucial — cameras were positioned to show the lowering process and the gathered family without intruding on the space. Sensitive microphone placement ensured that the singing and prayers carried clearly for those watching the live stream around the world.

The Reception

At the Festival Suite: The day concluded with a reception in Croydon with tributes. While emotional, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and remembrance. Relatives shared stories and laughter alongside tears, celebrating the life that had been lived.

The Finale

The graveside service was one of the most poignant aspects of the day. The mechanical lowering of the coffin into the vault — accompanied by hymns sung by family and friends gathered closely around — created a deeply memorable moment.

For those unable to attend in person, the live stream conveyed not just the visuals of the committal, but also the collective sound of family and loved ones together. This gave remote viewers a sense of truly being present at the final farewell.

The reception at the Festival Suite offered a softer ending to the day, as mourners came together to share food, memories, and reflections. The shift from grief at the cemetery to celebration at the wake highlighted the full journey of the day — and ensured it was comprehensively recorded for the family.

Outcome

The family received:

  • A full HD recording of the service and committal.

  • A private live stream link, available for 12 months, with the option to download a permanent copy.

  • A photography gallery from the church and wake, carefully edited and presented in a private online gallery.

Relatives abroad expressed their gratitude for being able to join live, while local family members valued the photographs and video as a permanent tribute. The combination of streaming and photography ensured the family had a comprehensive, lasting record of the day — something to treasure and share with future generations.

By blending discreet filming with reliable technology, the service was captured in its entirety — from the gospel music in Tooting to the vault committal at Lambeth Cemetery and the reception in Croydon. Families who wish to understand what’s included can read more on our funeral live streaming page.

FAQs About Funeral Streaming in Croydon and at Lambeth Cemetery

  • Yes. We have filmed and streamed several funerals at Lambeth Cemetery and other South London cemeteries. We manage outdoor conditions carefully to ensure stable streaming and clear sound.

  • We arrive early, plan routes in advance, and bring all necessary equipment to handle transitions smoothly. For larger funerals, we can also provide an additional videographer.

  • Yes. Many families request both, ensuring that overseas relatives experience the full day.

  • Yes. We can provide photography as part of a package, covering the service, committal, and reception.

  • Yes. Each family receives a private, secure link, which can be password-protected if required.

  • We host streams for 12 months, with the option to download and keep a permanent HD copy.

Why Choose Us for Funeral Streaming in London

At The Funeral Streaming Company, we bring the experience of more than 2,500 funerals to every service. We specialise in multi-location funerals, managing the logistics of moving between churches, cemeteries, and reception venues. This South London funeral, spanning the New Testament Assembly Church in Tooting, Lambeth Cemetery, and the Festival Suite in Croydon, was a full-day event that combined grief, reflection, and celebration. By offering live streaming, video recording, and photography, we ensured that every stage of the day was preserved and that no one was left out.

Despite the challenges of multiple venues, outdoor conditions, and a large service, careful planning, the right technology, and experience made the day run smoothly. For the family, the result was a dignified, respectful record of their loved one’s farewell — a lasting tribute that will be shared and remembered for years to come.

➡️ Learn more about our services:

Shaun Foulds

I’m a Videographer and Photographer travelling the UK Streaming Funerals and Photographing Weddings. I huge contrast between the two but as a storyteller I’m passionate about capturing all the moments life throws at us. 

https://www.ukfuneralvideoservices.com
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