Limitations in Funerals, Limitless in Love and Memories – Celebrating a Life Well-lived During a Pandemic

During an unprecedented time such as the Corona Virus Pandemic planning the funeral for a loved one has never been more grief stricken. The one event that has an endless guest list has now been reduced to 10 invitees only. Families are grieving twice in many cases . First , the loss of their loved one and secondly the inability to honor the life lost in the way that one planned or hoped.

The pandemic has added fears , speculations and uncertainties to the already highly emotional and deeply sensitive death experience. Families should be encouraged that even in this time of restrictions and limitations that their heart should be their guide . They have the opportunity now more than ever to focus on celebrating the limitless memories that they have and remember the endless love their loved one gave them.

Funerals have been in our culture since the beginning of time “ A meaningful funeral celebration is about

saying hello on the pathway to goodbye. Ultimately, funerals help us embrace the wonder of life and death and remind us to live deeply, with joy and love. “

— Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt

Our country has seen its fair share of tragic deaths in national disasters , acts of war, mass shootings , and in weather events but we have never been forced to experience the effects of the funeral events from a distance like we are with the 2020 pandemic. Death has always brought us together , never separated us.

No matter the cause of death , the pandemic has stripped away many of the comforting aspects of the healing process that Celebration of Life services , Memorial services and traditional religious funerals bring to grieving families. The mourners are not permitted to express the human touch in pleasantries such has extended hugging , sitting closer together or even handshakes. Grieving relatives and friends are forced to sit alone in single chairs spaced 6ft apart in distance or solo on a pew or with only one other person. Repasts where mourners gather to share a meal have been canceled. The Jewish religious ritual of “sitting shiva “ has been eliminated or compromised. The traditional prayers at , before and after burials at Mosques these too have been minimized or non existent. Nothing is quite the same.

If your faced with planning a funeral Of your loved one that has died from COVID 19 , according to the CDC, at this time, there is no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of confirmed or suspected COVID-19; however, federal, state and local public health guidance may impact the size of gathering a family is able to plan. Depending on a family’s preferences, their loved one can be safely embalmed. Families may chose either burial or cremation as usual.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association embalming , viewings, dressing and casketing a loved one can still take place during this time. Funeral Planners and Funeral Directors are aware of the importance of a funeral and understand gathering for funerals, burials, and memorial services are being restricted but not eliminated.

Together, with the family , funeral professionals are still in the business of honoring lives with limitless memories and endless love by creating meaningful funeral celebrations. Creativity, patience and focus on why funerals are important will make the difference. Funerals brings closure of the relationship and begins the grieving process, Without one grieving can be unhealthily delayed.

This worldwide pandemic reminds us that family matters, friendships matter, being together matters, support heals and honoring a life lost especially matters so embrace memories , remember expressions of love matters.

In the event you would like to discuss funeral planning or need help navigating through the process , please call me at 571-867-0711 or email me at Rpegeron@laytorestservices.com