The Digital Age of Mourning: How Technology is Reshaping Funerals
Ireland is a country steeped in tradition, and this is carried close to our hearts when we’re in mourning.
From the familial warmth of a wake to the quiet dignity of a removal, our gentle customs find a way to offer connection and comfort during a time of sadness.
In recent years, we’ve added new tools to our traditions, bringing digital conveniences to ancient rites and rituals. Let’s take a look at all the ways we can use technology to help us celebrate the people that we lost while commiserating with the families and friends that remain.
Live-streamed services
When COVID-19 restrictions limited funeral attendance, we had to find new ways to connect as a community. Live-streaming mass or other services have become the norm, so much so that the Irish Association of Funeral Directors believes that some 65-70% of funerals are now available to watch online.
This doesn’t affect the normal order and reverence of a funeral; it just means that using a small, unobtrusive camera, family, friends, and colleagues can say their goodbyes from home.
It’s a particularly helpful feature when the person who has passed had friends, family, and colleagues from all over the world, and if they’re dealing with infirmity or disability that makes travelling a challenge.
Virtual condolence books
RIP.ie, acquired by the Irish Times Group last year, remains the country’s primary gathering place for those in mourning. The site is simple and effective, allowing families and funeral directors to post a notice containing all the details of the deceased person and the plans for their funeral service.
Users can sign up for automatic updates, share the link, or register to leave a comment under the notice. This is a particularly lovely feature that forms an online condolence book, capturing stories, memories, and recollections that can be downloaded as a cherished keepsake at a later date.
Digital memorials
This idea has led to the emergence of a variety of digital memorial platforms, apps, and sites. They each offer a way to create and curate a memorial website or digital resource with photographs, recordings, videos, and personal tributes from well-wishers.
The content can usually be exported in multiple ways, whether as a slideshow, a condensed file, or a printable book or poster. Some of the sites also offer the ability to collect charitable donations, fund medical research, and contribute to communities.
Interactive headstones
In recent years, many families have started adding small photographs to headstones. It’s a lovely way to remember the person as they were, smiling and happy, before they passed.
Technology has brought this to a new level, as headstones embedded with QR codes or NFC chips are becoming more common.
When scanned, they can take a visitor to an online memorial page with photos and videos - fully immersing themselves in the rich life that their loved one led. These links can also include family history, biographical detail, or a record of military service, which may help future researchers connect the dots over time and location.
Grief support apps
As we all know, funerals are just one all-too-brief part of the grieving process. For many, the really tough time begins when the visitors leave, the fridge empties, and the house becomes quiet.
Technology can help here too, connecting mourners with remote-access counsellors, online bereavement communities, and social media support groups. Apps like Calm or Headspace also provide guided meditation that some people might find useful.
The Irish Hospice Foundation operates a Bereavement Support Line in partnership with the HSE, offering a friendly, non-judgmental voice that can help you navigate this difficult experience.
Online administration
When a loved one passes, there is usually quite a bit of administration involved. Even if there is a will in place — in which case, a solicitor will usually help — families have to undertake certain tough tasks themselves.
Doing this online, from the comfort of your home, may help. You can make appointments for the General Register Office online, download forms from the Courts Service, and submit details via the Revenue Commissioners’ web portals.
If your loved one had funeral insurance with An Post Insurance, you can start the process of making a claim by simply calling the insurer (New Ireland) on 01 617 2974 We will do our best to make this step as easy as possible for you.
Practical tips for families in 2025
Last year, more than 35,000 deaths were registered in Ireland. Each number represents someone who was loved and is deeply missed. If you have recently found yourself navigating loss, here are a couple of practical considerations when it comes to technology and grief.
- Consult your funeral director about live-streaming the service so that they can coordinate with the venue and share a link online.
- Think about what you would like to share; you can choose to stream the mass only, offer on-demand recordings, or keep sections private.
- Invite people to share memories, photographs, and recollections online via RIP.ie or another digital memorial site.
- Photograph or scan important documents and share them with family and friends via a cloud-based service like DropBox or Google Drive.
- Reach out for help, whether that’s in person or via a support app, a social media group, or an online counselling service.
If you’re simply planning ahead right now, it pays to have honest conversations with loved ones early. They can help to guide you about their preferences, from song choices to burial plots.
If you’d like to talk about how you can prepare for the financial decisions that go with this difficult time, just reach out to our friendly team.
We’re here to help, at every stage of your life.
An Post Insurance is a tied agent of New Ireland Assurance Company plc for life assurance business. Life assurance policies are underwritten and provided by New Ireland Assurance Company plc. A Government levy (currently 1%) applies to all premiums paid.
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