A NEW high-tech audio video service at a crematorium is giving family and friends around the globe a chance to see a live stream of services.

Accrington Crematorium in Burnley Road has undergone recent technology upgrades to improve its services and allow it to reach a wider audience.

Family members now living in Canada, America and Australia have been able to watch a family service at the crematorium over the last couple of months, meaning even families living apart can all be together for funerals.

More new technology has also been added to the site as a visual tribute system has been installed to display photos and slide shows.

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Cllr Ken Moss, cabinet member for cemeteries and crematoria on Hyndburn Council, said the new services are already receiving praise.

He said: “Through the use of modern technology, we can now offer bereaved families more ways to commemorate and celebrate the lives of their loved ones with an enhanced and wider service.

“It also allows the celebration of their loved one’s life to be shared by friends and family across the globe via the internet, a real comfort to those who can’t make it in person.

“The feedback so far from families who have used webcasting and visual tribute facilities has been very positive.”

Two large screens have been also installed in the crematorium which can display photograph and video services.

The council carried out several test runs, sending streams across the world, before rolling out the services at recent funerals ahead of their official launch.

Cllr Moss said the upgrades cost in the region of ‘several thousand pounds’ and help greatly improve the service offered.

He said: “It’s brilliant, anyone who sees it will see how crystal clear the quality is.

“It shows how we’re moving with the times and technology.

“The new screens also offer one more way for larger families to all come together to remember their loved ones.”

The music facilities have also been upgraded to offer a digital library of songs and hymns featuring more than 50,000 choices of music.

Crematorium staff said they do their best to track down any choices of song not in the library.