The Associated Press

In Ireland, they bury people quickly – and now they're harnessing the speed of the internet to help families grieve across the globe.

A Northern Ireland mortuary has launched a pioneering service by broadcasting funerals on its website for mourners too distant, ill or busy to be present in person. It's believed to be the first of its kind worldwide.

"We have one camera to give you the perspective of the minister looking out to the congregation, one showing the hearse and cortege of mourners outside, and one that looks like you're sitting in amidst the mourners," said Jim Clarke, director of Clarke & Son undertakers in Newtownards, an eastern suburb of Belfast.

The family firm, founded in 1918 by Clarke's grandfather, began experimenting with streaming audio and video of funeral services two years ago at its other mortuary and chapel, in the nearby suburb of Bangor.

It is launching new software and a suite of cameras at its funeral home in Newtownards this week – a development that, to the surprise of Clarke, has spurred international interest.

Clarke said more funeral homes should take advantage of the internet, particularly in places like Ireland, where funerals typically happen within three days of a death, and a tradition of emigration can mean cousins spread out from Calgary to Canberra.

"It used to be that we'd be asked, 'Is there any chance you can take a tape recording of the service for our friends in Canada?' We always did that. Now we can offer so much more," he said.

About 20 per cent of the company's clients have used the web broadcast, or about 50 funerals so far at the two chapels beside the mortuaries, according to Clarke. The service carries no additional charge.

Not just anybody can log on to eavesdrop on the grief. The service requires special software downloads and password access controlled by Clarke & Son.

"We're trying to use the latest technology to help families in a time of need," Clarke said. "We're not trying to encourage morbid curiosity. There is far too much of that on the internet already."