Nanjing's funeral parlors have recently initiated online, live funeral broadcasts.

The technology involved is fairly simple, requiring only a webcam and an internet connection. This new take on an age-old ceremony serves relatives and friends of the deceased who are unable to attend in person.

The system can also be used to transmit memorial speeches and messages of condolence on a closed circuit television.

The equipment for live broadcasts can cost up to hundreds of thousands of Yuan. Now that the first phase of development is complete, such funerals will soon be in operation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2005)