With the numbers of people dying growing from coronavirus COVID-19, there are inevitably are more family members grieving. But here’s the issue: they can’t grieve, well at least not like how they used to.
COVID-19 has forced families, funeral directors and loved ones to rethink how funerals are done.
Since nearly every state has issued a “shelter at home” mandate there has been a ban on gatherings greater than mainly 10 people, including funerals. And for many, it seems to be working and flattening the curve of the disease. But an issue happened in South Carolina.
Six South Carolina residents have died of coronavirus a few weeks after attending the same funeral, officials reported. The group-—which includes a married couple-—had all attended the same funeral in Kershaw County held in the first week of March, Sumter County coroner Robbie Baker said. The funeral occurred after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued March 16th guidance to funeral directors, urging them to live-stream services to comply with social-distancing restrictions.
According to the National Funeral Directors website, it states: “at this time, CDC guidance states, ‘There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19.’ However, the CDC also notes, ‘People should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19.’”
So how are people supposed to grieve their family and friends?
Although nothing can replace the hugging, embracing and direct human experience of an in-person service, virtual services are still real and can be fulfilling when you’re trying to say goodbye to your loved ones. I know it’s on a screen, but virtual services can incorporate most of the main elements you’d see in a traditional service.
And even though they may be virtual, experts say services still can…
…maintain their serious and respectful tone while honoring the deceased.
Dutch Nie, a funeral director for Nie Family Funeral Homes in Ann Arbor, Michigan, said that in light of the coronavirus pandemic, he has also introduced virtual funeral services, which he hadn’t needed to offer before.
This all came after the news of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid down his state’s social distancing policies. The updated laws progressively stopped gatherings of 100 people, then 50, then it went to 10. Virtual services became a necessity, especially with the large number of deaths in his community.
And besides livestreaming ceremonies, if your loved one decided to be cremated, that’s another story. It becomes a different process under social distancing guidelines. Nie said he and colleagues leave flowers, a lit candle, and a loved one’s remains in the funeral home’s vestibule.
The NFDA issued this note for funeral homes moving forward: “NFDA’s recommendation for funeral gatherings is just that – a recommendation. If your state has issued mandates or guidance that is more stringent, you MUST follow those local limits – no exceptions. For example, your state may require that services be limited to 10 total people including family, clergy and funeral home staff. Or, you may be limited to 5, as is the case in Connecticut. Or, your state may have completely banned funerals, as is the case in New Jersey. Please follow the mandates in your state and adhere to whatever prescribed limits that have been put into place.”
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