How to play a slideshow at a funeral home, church or hall

You've made the slideshow. The last worry is whether it will actually play on the day, on a computer and TV you've never seen. A few questions and a little preparation take care of almost everything.

Ask the venue first

Call or email the funeral director (or the church office or hall manager) a few days ahead and ask:

What will it play on? A computer connected to a TV or projector, a smart TV, or a DVD player?
Can I bring a USB stick, or do you want a video file in advance? Many funeral homes prefer an MP4 video sent by email or a file-sharing link a day or two before.
Is there sound? Will it play through the room's speakers, and who controls the volume?
Who presses play? Will staff run it, or should a family member?
Can we test it beforehand? Even ten minutes the day before saves a lot of stress.

USB stick or video file?

A video file (MP4) plays almost anywhere: on the venue's computer, many smart TVs, and online for family who can't attend. It's the safest choice when the venue runs the slideshow for you. Export it at 1080p (HD); 4K is only worth it for a very large screen.

A slideshow with its own player on a USB stick gives you sharper photos and more control. With Porchlight Slideshow, publishing puts the free Porchlight Player beside the slideshow on the stick. At the venue you open the stick and double-click the Player. It opens full screen and waits on the opening title until you press Space, so you can start it exactly when the room is ready. Nothing to install and no internet needed, on a Mac or a Windows PC.

Many families bring both: the USB stick for the room, and a video file as a backup and for sharing afterward.

Connecting a laptop to the TV or projector

If you're bringing your own laptop:

Bring the right cable or adapter. Most TVs and projectors use HDMI; newer laptops often need a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Plug in power. A slideshow on a loop for two hours will drain a battery.
Turn off sleep and screen savers, and silence notifications.
If the slideshow appears on the laptop instead of the TV, move it to the other screen. In Porchlight Player, press Tab.

The day-of checklist

Two copies on two USB sticks, plus the video file on your phone or in your email.
The adapter and cable, and the laptop's charger.
One full test run on the actual screen, with sound, before people arrive.
Volume set with the room quiet, then turned up a little: a full room absorbs sound.
One person in charge of starting and stopping it, so nobody has to think about it during the service.

After the service

Families often ask for a copy. Send the video file, or share the same USB stick folder: anyone can double-click the Player on their own computer. For planning the content itself, see how many photos you'll need and song ideas.