By Brian Konrad

Streaming will remain

Funeral services forever changed by pandemic

Jun 24, 2021 | 3:07 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The pandemic pushed many services and businesses to adapt and find new ways of doing things, and the funeral industry is no different.

With restrictions limiting attendance, many funeral operators moved to streaming their services, allowing those who couldn’t attend to be part of the service.

As restrictions are being lifted, families will again be able to remember their loved one in a traditional service, but one local funeral home says streaming will remain.

Cameron Davis at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel says that wouldn’t have been possible had the pandemic happened 30 years ago.

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“We’ve had families where half the family is on the other side of the country, and have watched the funeral service in real time, so that is the marvel of technology in that we’ve been able to provide some level of comfort and some level of communication for families given the times that we are in,” says Davis.

Families also took comfort knowing there were more than just the 20 or so people in the chapel for the loved one’s service.

Davis says families have missed the fellowship of sharing time with families after a service, but he says that time of sharing will again be possible as restrictions end in July.