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Funerals Going Online in Madras, India

By IBLS Editor

With a population approaching that of New York City, the 7.5 million residents of the southeastern metropolis Chennai, India will assumedly take whatever excuses they can find to not embark into the heavy urban traffic. And now the denizens of this artistic hub can respectfully attend funerals online as they mourn the dearly departed via the Net. But this novel idea also provides individuals too removed to travel in time to be able to make the traditional 3-4 day period before interment. Now they have the option of almost being there. The concept was developed by the MCB, the management body of Christian Cemeteries in Chennai, and they offer up to 20 e-tickets passes for those attending online. The city Chennai was formerly called Madras, but was renamed in 1996.

 

The MCB manages the Christian Cemeteries in Chennai, and works to ensure orderly burials of individual Christians of all denominations according to their rituals, a necessary option in multi-religious India. It was previously known as the Madras Cemetery Committee, formed in 1956. Said MCB member Dr. S. Bosco Alangar Raj, "We've taken a decision to this effect. We're negotiating with IMAX to help us with online telecast. We'll extend this service to our members next month." Dr. Bosco is the group's honorary treasurer.

Bosco claims that the old expectations of personal funeral attendance have been sacrificed at the alter of "Globalization." Says Dr. Bosco, "Globalisation has taken Indians far and wide. Back home, when someone dies, the body has to be kept for three or four days till the close relatives arrive. For those who live and work in distant countries, it's very difficult to reach even after three days. So, watching the funeral services either live or deferred is a matter of consolation and convenience. That's where this service becomes relevant."

Bosco went on to add that the MCB will offer both deferred and live Internet funerals. Family and friends may simply log on the MCB website at www.madrascemeteries.com, where names of the deceased are posted in the information section.

The MCB website explains the new option,

 ":: FUNERAL WEBCASTING ::

Sometimes it is not possible to attend a funeral in person. Funeral Webcasting enables mourners to see and hear a funeral ceremony, held in the Cemeteries in the Internet. When you request a Funeral Webcast, you can nominate up to 20 relatives and friends anywhere in the world to receive a password, enabling them to access the webcast via the Madras Cemetries Board web site. The funeral may be viewed in "real time" as it takes place, or on demand for up to stipulated days afterward. Funeral Webcasting uses the latest video streaming technology to transmit the sound and images over the Internet via the Madras Cemeteries Board website."

 The MCB will offer a variety of services related to online rites, including "Live Webcast; Recording in DVD or VHS; Live webcast + access to a recording on the MCB website for 3 days; Webcast package: Live webcast + VHS or DVD recording + Access to a recording on the MCB web site for stipulated period + a Memories e-ternal companion online memorial.

What's the price for the new service? The MCB has yet to set the rates because all the related costs are not yet known. The deferred telecasts will only remain upon the Net for one or two days. This is because the MCB has a high volume of burials and therefore cannot possibly keep all the videos available and still make room for new recorded services. The MCB manages three cemeteries in Chennai: Kilpauk General Cemetery, Kasimode Cemetery and Quibble Island Cemetery. With 120 funerals typically taking place at the three cemeteries put together, the MCB expects to telecast at least two funerals online a day.

 

Full post as published by IBLS Internet Law Blog on January 22, 2008 (boomark / email).