Research, data, analysis

Music and Webcasting

 

Music Webcasting Q&A

A rapidly growing number of funeral homes are now offering webcasting services to the families they serve. While this technology allows friends and family from around the country the wonderful opportunity to “virtually attend” the funeral (whether live or recorded), it also places the funeral home in potential violation of federal copyright laws when copyrighted music is broadcast as part of the services.

In response to this issue, NFDA has collaborated with the three music licensing organizations, BMI, ASCAP and SESAC, to create a special “funeral webcasting license” for those funeral homes offering this service so they will be in compliance. Just as with the funeral home music license, NFDA has negotiated a special discounted rate that covers all songs in the BMI, ASCAP and SESAC libraries. This is the only group webcasting license available to funeral homes in the market. This will enable funeral homes to legally broadcast funeral services that include copyrighted music over the internet. Below NFDA addresses questions regarding this new license.

 

Music Webcasting Licenses: Frequently Asked Questions

During these challenging times, when federal, state and local guidance and/or mandates are limiting the size of visitations and funerals, webcasting or livestreaming a funeral can be an excellent way for those who cannot be physically present at a service to still partake in the event, 

NFDA offers a webcasting license that covers the copyrighted music in the ASCAP, BMI and SESAC catalogs. It covers services broadcast via funeral webcasting software, as well as other livestreaming platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Zoom, Vimeo and Skype. 
If you do not currently have a NFDA funeral webcasting license, click here for more information and to purchase one. 

NFDA offers sample legal forms that give authorization for funeral homes to webcast funeral services and direction to record funeral services.
The music license that NFDA has offered for over 20 years allows music to be performed at funeral services. That license covers the performance of music (live or recorded) that is played at any funeral service, whether at the funeral home or at another facility. The only requirement is that the music be performed in connection with some type of funeral or memorial service or ceremony.

While the music license covers performance, it does not allow a funeral home to broadcast musical performances over the internet. A different license is required to webcast music. Therefore, funeral homes that offer funeral webcasting services are violating copyright laws when they broadcast over the internet any funeral services that contain copyrighted music.
It allows a funeral home to legally webcast any funeral service or ceremony that contains copyrighted music. The webcast can be live or a recording of a funeral that has already taken place. The only restrictions are that the music must be performed in connection with a funeral or memorial service and that it may only be available through the funeral home’s website. The funeral home will have to list its website on the webcasting music license application.
The webcasting music license covers each website, rather than location. If all of your locations utilize one website, you only need one webcasting license.
No. The funeral home may price the webcasting services in any way it wishes. It can give away the service for free, charge a fee for recording, charge a fee for webcasting or even charge a fee for hosting the recording on the website. It cannot, however, offer to sell copies of the funeral service recording to the public from the website.
Any funeral home that is a member of NFDA, a FAMIC organization or state association is eligible to purchase the NFDA music license and the new webcasting license option. The fee for the webcasting option is $63 per year and will cover webcasting services from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. The webcasting license is not part of the regular music license, but is an optional add-on purchase.
Yes. However, it would cost the funeral home hundreds of dollars to do so. NFDA was able to negotiate a fee that is a fraction of what other companies pay for a webcasting license.
No. There is no limit. The fee covers as many funeral services as your funeral home wants to webcast.
No. Your funeral home can still purchase it by completing the license application.
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