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Music Live Streaming License Q&A

A rapidly growing number of funeral homes are now offering live streaming services to the families they serve. While this technology allows friends and family from around the country the opportunity to “virtually attend” the funeral, it also places the funeral home in potential violation of federal copyright laws when copyrighted music is broadcast over the internet as part of the services without the proper license.

In response to this issue, NFDA has collaborated with the major music licensing organizations, BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, GMR, and AllTrack, to create a special “funeral live stream license” for those funeral homes offering this service so they may be in compliance. Just as with the funeral home music performance license, NFDA has negotiated special discounted rates that cover all songs and recordings in the BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, GMR, and AllTrack libraries. This will enable funeral homes to legally live stream funeral services that include copyrighted music over the internet.

Live streaming a funeral can be an excellent way for those who cannot be physically present at a service to still be a part of the event.

NFDA offers a live streaming license that covers the copyrighted music in the ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, and AllTrack catalogs. It covers services broadcast via funeral live streaming software, as well as other live streaming platforms. While NFDA’s live streaming license covers music played via the internet (when the site is properly reported on your live streaming license application), it is important to note that some online platforms such as Facebook and YouTube may block copyrighted music from their platforms due to their inability to verify whether the streamer has appropriate licensing. See more below.

If you do not currently have an NFDA funeral live streaming license, click here for more information and to purchase one. 

NFDA offers sample legal forms that assist in obtaining proper authorizations for funeral homes who live stream funeral services.

Download the Complete Legal Packet for Live Streaming or Recording Funeral Services

NFDA Recommendation: Do Not Use Facebook or YouTube to Livestream Funerals

Facebook and YouTube have entered into lawsuit settlements with music companies that prevent them from allowing some copyrighted music to be played on their platforms. Copyright protected music is blocked and muted automatically by algorithm. Even though a member may have a live streaming license, Facebook and YouTube may mute it or block the video. If the user continues to stream the copyrighted music on these platforms, eventually they may block the user from using the system.

NFDA has worked on this issue for years and has been unable to get changes to these policies due to the extremely high volume of videos posted on these sites and because of the terms of the settlement agreements to which these companies are obligated. NFDA advises members use their own website, or other streaming or commercial services, which do not have these copyright issues, to stream funerals.

The music performance license that NFDA has offered for over 20 years allows music to be performed or played at funeral services. This “performance license” covers music (live or recorded) that is played at any funeral service, whether at the funeral home or at another facility.

While this music performance license covers performance, it does not allow a funeral home to live stream musical performances over the internet. A “live streaming license” is required to play music live over the internet. Therefore, funeral homes that offer funeral live streaming services are violating copyright laws when they broadcast funeral services that contain copyrighted music via the internet without the “live streaming license”.

It allows a funeral home to legally live stream on the websites any funeral service or ceremony that contains copyrighted music. The only restrictions are that the music must be performed or played in connection with a funeral or memorial service and that it may only be available through a website the funeral home listed on the live streaming license application.

The live streaming license covers each website reported on the application, rather than location. If all of your locations utilize one website, you only need one live streaming license. It is important to note every website on which you will be live streaming services or it will not be covered by the license.

No. The funeral home may price the live streaming services in any way it wishes. It can give away the service for free or charge a fee. It cannot, however, provide copies of the funeral service recording either online or via recorded media.

Any funeral home that is a member of NFDA, a FAMIC organization or state association is eligible to purchase the NFDA music performance license and the live streaming license option. The fee for the live stream option is $65 per year for BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC and $45 per year for GMR and AllTrack. These licenses will cover live streaming services from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. The live streaming licenses are not part of the regular music performance license, but are optional add-on purchases.

Yes. However, it would cost the funeral home hundreds of dollars to do so. NFDA was able to negotiate fees that are a fraction of what other companies pay for a live stream license.

No. There is no limit. The fee covers as many funeral services as your funeral home wants to stream.

No. Your funeral home can still purchase it by completing the license application.