Live Streaming Services Now Offered to Local Families

April 14, 2020

Live streaming funeral and memorial services are now being offered to families in the Lynchburg, Bedford and Roanoke areas so friends and families have the option of coming together to grieve their loss without the risk of spreading COVID-19. Streaming options include video recording and Facebook Live.

In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Funeral Directors Association and the Virginia State and local Health Departments, Tharp is providing a variety of options to accommodate safe ways for families to grieve the loss of their loved ones.

“We are here to help families find healthy ways to grieve,” said Chris Tharp, Owner of Tharp Funeral Home. “Within the current social distancing restrictions, we are providing alternative ways to begin the grieving process. Rituals and services that pay tribute to our loved ones are part of a healthy grief cycle because through them, we help one another tote the burden of grief. As my father has always said, ‘Grief shared is grief diminished.’”

Utilizing the online funeral planning tool, as well as arrangements made over the phone and email, families can plan their loved ones’ services entirely from home. Live streaming offers families an option to conduct services while connecting in a virtual manner. Extensive and regular cleaning procedures are being conducted at all Tharp locations that follow the updated recommendations from the CDC. Additionally, modifications have been made on-site to accommodate safe, on-site services that comply with the directives of local and state authorities.

Families concerned about coronavirus and its impact on funerals, visitations and memorial services can go to https://tharpfuneralhome.com/, or call 434-237-9424 for all updated information. For immediate arrangements, Tharp can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory is proud to be the most often selected funeral home and crematory in Central Virginia, offering affordable funeral and cremation arrangements and services, preplanning, burials, cremation planning and pet loss services. As a family-owned and operated community resource, Tharp has proudly served Central Virginia for nearly a century with locations in Lynchburg, Bedford, Smith Mountain Lake, Madison Heights and Roanoke. Tharp’s mission is to provide the community with the highest level of service and attention to detail, at an affordable cost. Tharp takes great pride in attentively assisting families plan a healing tribute for their loved one that they can look back on with pride and satisfaction.

March 31, 2026
Planning ahead isn’t always something we naturally gravitate toward—especially when it comes to end-of-life decisions. It’s easy to put off, to say “someday,” or to assume there will always be more time. But preplanning your funeral or cremation arrangements is one of the most thoughtful and meaningful gifts you can leave behind for the people you love. What Is Preplanning? Preplanning is simply the process of making your final wishes known ahead of time. This can include decisions about burial or cremation, the type of service you’d like, music, readings, and even the small personal touches that reflect your life. It doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, even a simple plan written down can provide clarity and comfort when it’s needed most. Why More Families Are Choosing to Plan Ahead 1. It Relieves Emotional Burden When a loved one passes, families are often faced with dozens of decisions in a very short time, many of them while navigating deep grief. By preplanning, you remove that weight. Your family won’t have to wonder what you would have wanted, they’ll already know. 2. It Protects Your Family Financially Funeral costs can add up quickly depending on services selected. Preplanning gives you the opportunity to guarantee certain services and merchandise, avoid future inflation, and prevent overspending during emotional decision-making. 3. It Ensures Your Wishes Are Honored Every life is unique and every service should reflect that. When you plan ahead, you can choose burial or cremation, select meaningful music or readings, and include personal touches that tell your story. 4. It Gives You Time and Control Planning in advance allows you to make decisions thoughtfully and without pressure. There’s no urgency. No rushed decisions. Just clarity and confidence. 5. It Brings Peace of Mind Knowing everything is taken care of allows you to focus on what matters most: living fully and spending time with loved ones. Preplanning Doesn’t Have to Mean Prepaying You have options: document your wishes, set aside funds gradually, or explore pre-need plans or insurance options. Families are guided through these choices with no pressure—just support and information. A Simple Step Today Can Make All the Difference Tomorrow Preplanning is about easing the path for those you love. It gives them space to grieve, remember, and heal—without added stress. Ready to Learn More? Click here to get started. Whether you’re ready to start a plan or simply have questions, speaking with a preplanning specialist can help you explore your options in a comfortable, no-pressure setting. Because the greatest gift you can leave behind isn’t just memories—it’s peace of mind.
By Missy Hardenburg February 9, 2026
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