Time Zones, Schedules and Watching From Abroad

One of the practical challenges of funeral live streaming for international viewers is the time zone difference. New Zealand's geographic position means that when it's midday in Auckland, it's the middle of the night in the UK and early morning on the US East Coast. This can make it difficult for overseas family members to watch a funeral live.

Here's how to navigate time zones and make sure overseas viewers have the best possible experience.

Common Time Zone Scenarios

For viewers in Australia: Eastern Standard Time is two to three hours behind New Zealand time, depending on daylight saving. Most New Zealand funerals are held in the morning or early afternoon, which puts them at a manageable hour for Australian viewers, a 10am Auckland service is 7am or 8am in Sydney.

For viewers in the UK: New Zealand is typically 12 to 13 hours ahead. A 10am funeral in Auckland falls late in the evening in London, generally between 9pm and 11pm. Challenging, but manageable for most people.

For viewers in North America: the time difference is much greater. A 10am service in Auckland falls in the early hours of the morning in New York, or late night in Los Angeles. For these viewers, watching live is unlikely to be practical, and this is where the recording becomes essential.

Live vs Recorded: Choosing What Works

If watching live isn't practical due to the time difference, the recording allows international viewers to watch at a time that works for them, the next morning, or whenever they're ready.

Many families designate a time for overseas family members to watch the recording together, connecting by video call so they can share the experience even if they couldn't watch the live service.

Tips for Overseas Viewers

If you're watching from overseas, convert the service time to your local time zone before the day, and build in a buffer so you're settled and ready before the service starts. Test the link the day before so you're not scrambling at the last minute. If possible, watch on a larger screen in a quiet space where you can give the service your full attention.

We Can Help With the Logistics

If you're not sure how to communicate the viewing time to overseas family, or if you need advice on setting up access for international viewers, reach out to us. We're experienced in helping families navigate these logistics.

Visit tributecast.nz to find out more or to book a funeral live stream.