March 25, 2009
MANSFIELD -- A recent funeral service for Betty Jane Garver in Mansfield had a much wider audience than the just the people in the Trinity United Methodist Church. Betty's friends and family members around the world had the chance to watch her funeral live on the web.
The Wappner Funeral Homes in Mansfield now offer families the opportunity to include a webcast and internet viewing of all funeral services, including the wake, memorial service and burial.
Funeral Director Thomas Wappner told Channel 3's Mike O'Mara, "We've done a couple of web access funerals so far and everybody seems to be positive about it. Being able to view the service for those that can't attend is a great thing."
A growing number of funeral homes like Wappner's are using small high def cameras and special software from a company called "Event By Wire." The technology allows funeral directors to stream their memorial services live through the internet.
However, the funeral homes want to emphasize that this web service is not like YouTube, where anyone can tune in. This is a private web connection available by invitation only.
Wappner Funeral Home General Manager Jerry Inebnit said, "This is completely private. We ask for a list of family members who can not be at the service. The family decides who can view the memorial."
Back in 1872, Phillip Wappner Sr. started the family funeral business back in Mansfield. Today, five generations later, Amy Wappner Bose is helping to push the technology envelope at the family's three funeral homes. They even offer clients a DVD of the memorial services.
Reaction in Mansfield to the new service is mixed. Attorney John Spon said, "I think that a person's passing should not be demeaned by the use of video tapes."
Alesha Lee disagreed. "I know that some people might think it's morbid. But in my opinion web cam viewing of the funeral is appropriate.
"I feel it's fine because it let's people who can't afford to travel or who are too sick to travel a chance to be part of the final goodbye."
Inebnit said, "I think the emotion is there in our webcasts. Many people are overwhelmed by the fact that they have a permanent memory of the important memorial service."
For those that can't watch the webcast live, the company archives the funeral video for one year.