Undertaker puts funerals online

An undertaker in Northern Ireland has started showing its funerals live on its website.

S Clarke and Son Funeral Directors said that people all over the world are now able to watch services being held in the province.

Jim Clarke, who runs the company, said that mourners as far afield as Spain, Africa, New Zealand and Canada had been able to watch.

Mr Clarke came up with the idea to accommodate families who can't afford to fly abroad or are too sick or busy to attend the funeral in person.

He told the BBC: "Life moves fast. We're just trying to adapt to the changing needs of our world. Our internet option means [people] get to become part of a grieving process they might have missed out on."

Passwords are issued to family and friends who might want to watch, in order to maintain privacy. Copies can be stored on the user's PC. The company has installed cameras and microphones in the churches in uses in Bangor and Newtownards. The service is a free option in the company's funeral packages.