Brazilians broadcasting funerals over Internet

[November 23, 2010]  SAO PAULO (AP) -- A funeral home in Brazil is broadcasting its services live over the Internet, giving some of the millions of Brazilians living abroad the chance to say a final goodbye to their loved ones.

The Gonzaga funeral home says it has started streaming video of burials, Masses and funeral processions in real time to those who can't make it to the ceremonies. It even provides an online chat room.

Funeral home director Eres Gonzaga told The Associated Press on Monday it charges about $60 an hour, depending on the service.

The funeral home is in Governador Valadares, known as a hotbed for migration to the United States and Europe.

Some 1.5 million Brazilians live in the U.S. and hundreds of thousands more in Europe.

[Associated Press]

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