FUNERALS in Bolton will soon be streamed live online.

Cameras are due to be installed by Bolton Council in the two chapels it runs at Overdale Crematorium.

Families will be offered the option of the proceedings being filmed and broadcast online.

It is aimed at friends and relatives who are unable to attend services because they live far away or have trouble leaving home.

Under the new scheme, if families agree, those who cannot attend will be able to log on to a PC or tablet and view the service from the comfort of their own homes.

Bolton Council says there will be strict guidelines and live streaming of funerals will not be compulsory.

Executive cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “Bolton’s funeral and crematorium services have a very good reputation for doing things in a professional and understanding manner.

“But now we need to move with the times and there is a demand for this kind of service from people who are unable to attend funerals.

“There will of course be firm ground rules about how this will operate.

“The cameras will be in a fixed position — you won’t have people walking around with cameras while the funeral is taking place.

“It will also be a requirement that people will have to log in to watch a funeral, it won’t mean just anyone can watch.

“This is not compulsory of course, it will only be used for families who ask for it.”

The new webcasting equipment — including encoder, camera and fittings will cost the authority £7,543, plus a monthly web hosting charge of £45.

The council is also investing in new 50 inch visual tribute screens for both chapels, at a cost of £3,827.

Cllr Peel said: “We recently invested in an online music service, which means that we can play requests for services.

“The photo tribute service will allow families to display digital photographs during the service, while the music is played.”

He added: “This is just about the council putting things in place to keep up with the needs of people in a modern and changing society.”

The new equipment will be provided by Vivedia and will be installed soon.

Bolton Council is not the first authority in Greater Manchester to offer the modern streaming service for funerals/

Back in 2009, Stockport Council began to offer a similar service and as followed by Tameside Council in 2011.

A recent survey of funeral directors found that 61 per cent of them had received requests for live streaming services and about a fifth of crematoriums in the country already have webcams in place.