When a loved one passes away, attending their funeral is more than a tradition—it’s a vital step in the grieving process. Yet, for incarcerated individuals, the opportunity to participate in this deeply human moment is often denied. At Compassionate Reprieve, we believe grief shouldn’t be a punishment. That’s why we’ve developed a compassionate, secure, and trauma-informed process for coordinating virtual funeral access for inmates.
Here’s how it works—from the family’s first request to final coordination with the correctional facility.
Step 1: Family Submits a Streaming Request
The process begins when a family member completes the Funeral Streaming Request Intake Form, available on our website. This form collects essential information:
- The full name and DOC number of the incarcerated individual
- The facility name and state
- Funeral service details (date, time, funeral home, and livestream link if available)
- Contact information for the family and the funeral provider
- Legal consent to coordinate with the correctional institution
At this point, the family also submits the streaming service fee, which covers secure coordination, delivery, and technical preparation.
Step 2: Compassionate Reprieve Reviews and Verifies the Request
Once submitted, our team reviews the information for completeness and accuracy. We then validate key details with the family or funeral home if needed.
This step is critical to ensure:
- The request aligns with institutional schedules and streaming capabilities
- The funeral home has confirmed a livestream or recording is available
- The facility allows virtual participation for such events
We keep the process trauma-informed and discreet, recognizing that families are often navigating these steps during periods of acute grief.
Step 3: Coordination with the Funeral Home
If not already included in the request, we contact the designated funeral home to confirm their ability to provide a live or recorded stream of the service. Our team offers:
- Streaming guidance or best practices
- A secure delivery pathway to the facility
- Optional onboarding as a Certified Partner in our network
Some funeral homes may already have streaming capabilities via Zoom, Vimeo, or YouTube, while others may need assistance setting up secure and unlisted links.
Step 4: Secure Facility Engagement
Next, we liaise directly with the correctional facility. This may include:
- Chaplains
- Program coordinators
- Warden’s offices
- Secure technology leads
We communicate:
- The purpose of the stream (non-interactive, one-way viewing)
- The technical link (with safety protocols in place)
- The date/time, length, and type of stream (live vs. recording)
In many cases, we tailor our delivery format to align with facility preferences—whether that’s through approved platforms, tablets, closed-circuit systems, or pre-approved media storage.
Step 5: Delivery and Confirmation
Once the stream has been approved, we coordinate delivery with the institution’s designated staff. This may occur:
- Live, with a private link at the time of the funeral
- Via a pre-approved recording delivered in advance
After the service, we confirm successful viewing or playback and notify the family. In some cases, we also offer post-stream follow-up with correctional counselors or chaplains to support the individual’s grief processing.
Why This Matters
Grief doesn’t stop at prison gates. For many incarcerated individuals, the inability to attend a loved one’s funeral contributes to:
- Complicated grief and trauma
- Depression and hopelessness
- Increased behavioral issues or suicidal ideation
By providing secure access to funerals, we not only uphold basic human dignity—we support safer correctional environments and contribute to rehabilitation and emotional health.
Looking Ahead
As more facilities recognize the importance of virtual funeral access, we’re expanding our network of correctional partners and funeral home collaborators. Whether funded by families, facilities, or grants, our mission is clear: no one should be excluded from a final goodbye because of incarceration.
For more information or to initiate a request, visit:
www.compassionatereprieve.org