MOURNERS unable to attend funerals in Worcester may soon be able to watch a live stream of the service - if new multimedia plans are accepted.

Following upgrades of the music system at Worcester Crematorium, the city council is now looking into what new services could be offered to funeral-goers and how much it is likely to cost.

A report, to be discussed by the city council's Income Generation subcommittee this evening (July 10), the opportunity to have the funeral service live-streamed on the web will cost £30 - in line with the supplier's recommended retail price and the costs imposed by other local authorities.

The chance to re-watch the funeral for 28 days after the service can be purchased for an extra £15 and copies of the live stream would be available for £50.

If the proposals are accepted by the subcommittee, the plans will be passed to the council's Policy and Resources committee earmarked for approval.

Funeral planners would also be able to pay their respects with photograph sideshow and video tributes.

A slideshow of up to 25 photos would cost £38 whilst a professional tribute of 25 photos set to music would cost £60.

Families wishing to provide their own video tribute would be expected to pay £15 to have the video checked and prepared - a service that, along with the professional photo tribute, was previously free at Worcester Crematorium.

The decision to charge for the service has been spurred on by the investment in new technology, the report says.

Officers say prices have been determined by what other local authorities - including Kirklees, Stafford, Yorkshire and Hull - charge for video tributes and live streaming at its funerals.

The meeting takes place in the Guildhall at 7pm. The public are welcome to attend.