FUNERAL directors in Hampshire are predicting that webcasting ceremonies on the Internet will soon become a popular part of the service.

Broadcasting ceremonies at Southampton Crematorium are due to start next month and undertakers say that many families will choose to use the service for relatives who are unable to make it to the event.

As revealed in the Daily Echo, families will be given a secure online password to view the webcast, as well as the option to order a DVD or CD recording of the ceremony.

Eastleigh-based independent funeral director Paul Capper described the webcasts as a terrific idea.

He said: "These things can be a little slow to take up but once it does I think the idea will snowball.

"There will always be someone who may never be able to make it to a funeral, and there's nothing worse then finding out someone has died and that you've missed the funeral. This and the DVD will allow people to at least feel part of the occasion."

Southampton funeral director Ken Newman, from B Matthews Funeral Directors, said recording the service was already popular with families.

"A lot of people do like the idea of recording the ceremony because relatives can't be there.

"I think it will be very popular with a lot of people, especially the younger generations.

"People move abroad a lot now and are also more technologically minded, and funerals are a lot more personal.

"At the end of the day it's about catering for the customer and we always say what the families want, the families get," he added.

From April 1 the city council will offer the Internet broadcast service for £75. A DVD will cost £50 while a CD audio recording is £25.

Southampton crematorium manager Trevor Mathieson said the fees will cover the costs of running the equipment which is also used to provide music in both the East and West Chapels.

"There are also set-up fees every time the broadcast is uploaded to the Internet," he said.

"The money goes straight to Wesley Music who we pay for using the equipment.

The service is not there to make money for the council," he added.

The service is provided by Wesley Music which specialises in providing sound systems for chapels so they can play almost any song that is requested by families.