Case Study: Military Funeral Streaming at Sandhurst Military Academy
Background to Live Streaming a Military Funeral Streaming at Sandhurt Military Academy
In 2025, I was honoured to be asked by the Ministry of Defence to provide funeral live streaming for the funeral of Second Lieutenant Max George, a 26-year-old officer tragically killed during a Salisbury Plain training exercise.
The service was held at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, one of the most prestigious military institutions in the UK. This historic venue, steeped in tradition and ceremony, provided a fitting location to honour a young officer whose life had been cut short in service.
The family’s request was clear: they wanted a professional military funeral live stream that would allow relatives, colleagues, and friends across the world to join them on the day. With hundreds unable to attend in person, the live webcast became an essential way of uniting those grieving.
Challenge
Military funerals present unique challenges:
Precision timing: Every part of the service is rehearsed and timed to the second. Missing a moment was not an option.
Venue restrictions: Sandhurst has strict rules about camera placement and movement, requiring careful planning to avoid interfering with ceremonial duties.
Indoor and outdoor coverage: The family wanted both the arrivals outside and the chapel service itself streamed live. This meant managing cameras in different locations simultaneously.
Signal challenges: The outdoor 3rd camera had to transmit through thick concrete walls to reach my main streaming rig inside the chapel. This required specialist equipment and careful testing.
Global audience: More than 649 devices across 21 countries were expected to connect live. Stability and reliability were non-negotiable.
Approach
Early preparation
I arrived at Sandhurst well in advance of the service to give myself plenty of time for setup. Military funerals are strict in their ceremonial timetables, and there is no margin for error — every camera and microphone must be ready long before the first guests arrive.
On arrival, I surveyed both the chapel interior and the parade grounds outside. The layout of the chapel dictated how cameras could be positioned without obstructing the Guard of Honour or blocking the view of the congregation. I also met with the officer in charge of the ceremony to go through the full running order.
Watching the Guards rehearse several hours before the service gave me a clear idea of exactly where each part of the ceremony would take place. This was invaluable in planning camera positions, anticipating movement, and ensuring that both ceremonial and family aspects of the day were fully captured.
Challenge
Military funerals present unique challenges:
Precision timing: Every part of the service is rehearsed and timed to the second. Missing a moment was not an option.
Venue restrictions: Sandhurst has strict rules about camera placement and movement, requiring careful planning to avoid interfering with ceremonial duties.
Indoor and outdoor coverage: The family wanted both the arrivals outside and the chapel service itself streamed live. This meant managing cameras in different locations simultaneously.
Signal challenges: The outdoor 3rd camera had to transmit through thick concrete walls to reach my main streaming rig inside the chapel. This required specialist equipment and careful testing.
Global audience: More than 649 devices across 21 countries were expected to connect live. Stability and reliability were non-negotiable.
Approach
Early preparation
I arrived at Sandhurst well in advance of the service to give myself plenty of time for setup. Military funerals are strict in their ceremonial timetables, and there is no margin for error — every camera and microphone must be ready long before the first guests arrive.
On arrival, I surveyed both the chapel interior and the parade grounds outside. The layout of the chapel dictated how cameras could be positioned without obstructing the Guard of Honour or blocking the view of the congregation. I also met with the officer in charge of the ceremony to go through the full running order.
Watching the Guards rehearse several hours before the service gave me a clear idea of exactly where each part of the ceremony would take place. This was invaluable in planning camera positions, anticipating movement, and ensuring that both ceremonial and family aspects of the day were fully captured.
Audio
Clear sound was critical. I microphoned the minister, the lectern, and key areas where readings and tributes would take place. Ambient microphones were positioned to capture hymns, ceremonial commands, and the sound of boots on the parade ground.
During the stream, I switched between microphones in real time, ensuring viewers heard exactly what was happening — from spoken tributes to the solemn military salutes.
Connectivity
With over 600 global viewers expected, stability was essential. I brought four bonded 4G/5G internet connections, combining multiple networks to provide a rock-solid stream. This meant that even if one signal dropped, the others would maintain the broadcast without interruption. This technology is central to all of our funeral streaming services, offering families complete peace of mind.
The Service
The funeral at Sandhurst was steeped in military tradition:
Arrival: The coffin was carried with military precision, accompanied by the Guard of Honour. The outdoor camera streamed this moment live, showing the discipline and respect of the Armed Forces.
Inside the chapel: Hymns, prayers, and personal tributes filled the space. The balcony cameras captured both the grandeur of the chapel and the emotion of family and friends.
Family reflections: Relatives shared memories of Max as a son, brother, and friend, balancing the ceremonial elements with intimate personal moments.
Military honours: Salutes, commands, and formal tributes from senior officers reinforced the sense of duty and service.
The Finale
The service concluded with final prayers and a blessing. The coffin was carried out of the chapel with dignity as the Guard of Honour gave their salute.
For those watching online, the transition between indoor and outdoor cameras provided a seamless view of the entire day. They experienced the service as if they had been there in person, from the solemn atmosphere inside the chapel to the ceremonial precision outside.
Outcome
The family received:
A full HD recording of the service.
A private live stream link available for 12 months.
A downloadable copy to keep permanently.
The live stream reached 649 devices across 21 countries, uniting relatives, friends, and colleagues worldwide. The family later shared how much comfort it gave them to know that even those who could not attend were able to witness and share in this important day.
FAQs About Military Funeral Streaming at Sandhurst
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Yes. We have experience streaming services at Sandhurst and other military venues. We work closely with officials to ensure all traditions and rules are respected.
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Military funerals are precise. We arrive early, meet with the officer in charge, and watch rehearsals to ensure every moment is anticipated and captured.
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Yes. We use long lenses and discreet camera positions to capture the ceremony without interfering with the Guards or the congregation.
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We use bonded 4G/5G connections, combining four networks to guarantee stability for hundreds of viewers worldwide.
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Yes. By using wireless transmitters, we can link outdoor cameras to the main stream, ensuring arrivals and departures are included without interruption.
Why Choose Us for Military Funeral Streaming
This funeral at Sandhurst Military Academy demonstrated how live streaming can unite people worldwide while preserving the dignity of military tradition. With over 2,500 funerals’ worth of experience, I specialise in adapting to complex venues, balancing ceremonial precision with sensitive family coverage.
➡️ Learn more about our services:
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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