On the 23rd March 2020, the world changed overnight. As the country went into lockdown, the world discovered Zoom and the way we conducted funerals changed, potentially forever.
As the pandemic goes on, people need the support of a funeral ceremony to acknowledge their bereavement more than ever. As restrictions tighten, limits on travel are put in place and attendees stay at home, the need for supportive online funeral ceremonies has intensified.
Amber Carvaly, a licensed US mortician, and Christina Andreola, owner of New Narrative Memorials, have been helping families and friends to host funerals and memorials online throughout the pandemic. In this interactive workshop, they’ll guide funeral directors and celebrants through the intricacies of hosting a funeral or memorial on Zoom. Whether you consider yourself to be a basic or advanced Zoom user, this is an opportunity to refresh your skills and find out how it works from people who really knows. It’s also a useful refresher for anyone hosting client meetings on Zoom.
Amber and Christina will also offer some guidance to those who are looking to host hybrid events - when a funeral with the coffin present is broadcast on Zoom with speakers joining virtually.
This workshop will be based around your needs. Some of you may have hosted several funerals and memorials on Zoom, others may be considering offering it as part of your services. After you’ve signed up through the Eventbrite link, please email Louise to let us know what your struggles, concerns and triumphs have been when using Zoom. Amber and Christina will then design the content of the workshop so it’s helpful to everyone attending.
There’ll be an opportunity to test out different functions on Zoom, share experiences and insight, and ask any questions you may have.
We really hope you can join us!
P.S. The money raised from this event will go to two charities close to our hearts - School Food Matters and the Trussell Trust.
Christina Andreola is the owner of New Narrative Memorials based in Vancouver, Canada and Senior Event Partner at GatheringUs, based in Brooklyn, New York. Christina has been grateful to have been helping families gather together and celebrate the lives of their loved ones since New Narrative began in 2017. In March of 2020, New Narrative pivoted to helping families and communities to gather together virtually with creativity and compassion. She is honoured to be a part of this event and looks forward to sharing her ingenuity and passion for this new and evolving platform.
Amber Carvaly provides coaching, consultations and web design for American Deathcare professionals and Death Doulas with her company Greystoke Media. She holds a B.A. in Women’s Studies from UC Riverside and an A.S. in Mortuary Science from Cypress College. She co-founded and ran Undertaking LA, a funeral home focused on getting families more involved with the funeral process.
