- Online arrangement scheduling
- Obituary publishing
- Livestream services
- Memorial websites
- Payment portals
Funeral Services Industry Accessibility Guide
Funeral homes and memorial services increasingly rely on digital platforms for arrangements, obituaries, livestreaming services, and online memorials. This guide covers accessibility and privacy requirements for funeral service websites.
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Digital Services
Common Platforms
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Sensitivity Matters
Special Considerations
Families access funeral services during times of grief. Accessible, clear websites are essential for supporting all community members.
Accessibility Requirements
Funeral service businesses are covered under ADA Title III as places of public accommodation.
Website Features
- Obituaries: Proper heading structure, readable fonts, alt text for photos
- Scheduling Forms: Accessible appointment booking with clear labels
- Livestreams: Captioned video with accessible player controls
- Payment: Keyboard-accessible payment forms with error handling
- Contact Information: Multiple contact methods clearly displayed
Memorial Features
- Accessible photo galleries with alt text
- Readable guestbook submission forms
- Screen reader compatible tribute pages
- Accessible video tributes with captions
Livestreaming Accessibility
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Live Captions | Real-time captioning for live services (CART or AI-assisted) |
| Audio Description | Description of visual elements for blind viewers |
| Player Controls | Keyboard-accessible play, pause, volume controls |
| Recording Access | Captioned recordings for later viewing |
Privacy Considerations
Funeral services handle sensitive personal information:
- Decedent Information: Death certificates, personal details
- Family Data: Contact information, relationship details
- Financial Information: Payment details, insurance claims
- Guestbook Data: Visitor names, messages, contact information
Implementation Checklist
- Audit website for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
- Add alt text to all memorial photos
- Ensure scheduling forms are keyboard accessible
- Provide captioning for livestreamed services
- Implement privacy policy for online guestbooks
- Test payment portal accessibility
- Provide multiple contact methods