Funeral homes offering webcasts (1/3ページ)

Funeral home director Vincent Strano said his mission is to help families during the difficult time of losing a loved one.

Part of that mission now includes involving friends and relatives thousands of miles away.

Since March, Strano and Feely Family Funeral Home in Newark has been offering families the option of broadcasting funerals via webcam.

When Sandy Smith of Bear heard about the option while planning her father's funeral, she was surprised but ultimately grateful for the feature, which costs $50. Her family members living in Florida, Texas and Europe were unable to attend.

"I knew my relatives weren't going to be able to get to the service," she said. "A cousin and her husband weren't going to be able to fly all the way from England.

"One relative said it was a little surreal to be able to see the body lying there via a screen," she said. "All my other relatives were grateful to not miss it."