Memorial and funeral service options during COVID-19 restrictions

We encourage you and your family to consider doing something together to recognize the loss, now, even with the restrictions we have in place. We have suggestions below that will help you recognize the life of your loved one and will help address your grief. As the guidance from the state changes, we will adjust what we can do, but our hope is these ideas will help you consider that something can be done, because something should be done.

We know from our years in funeral service and the research from experts in our field, healthy goodbyes make for healthier individuals, families, and communities. Most of these options are provided at no cost to you and your family, speak to your funeral director about how to make these happen. See the attached list of ideas our funeral professionals can help you put together now.
The Covid-19 virus has altered the ways we are able to perform services. Right now, immediate families may have a small gathering of five or fewer people to deal with the pressing reality of the death. We know it can be unsettling to delay the full services you want. When the current situation changes, we encourage you to consider scheduling the public service that your loved one deserves. 

These gatherings will get you on the right path to healthy grieving. They enable your friends and family to support you in your grief and readjustment to life lived differently. Until then, we hope you will consider these other ideas to honor the life that has just ended and bring you and your family together.

1. Livestream the funeral or memorial service. While some families may embrace this technology, others might find it daunting. We can provide this service now, through Facebook Live, YouTube, or Zoom
2. Organize a drive-through visitation at the funeral home.  Family can gather at designated spots at the funeral home, friends and guests are guided by funeral home staff to drive up to you and your family to pay their respects, a receiving line, but outdoors.
3. Organize with your friends and extended family a procession that passes by your home, or a safe location on the way to the cemetery. This option allows members of the community to get involved and pay their respects, respecting the distancing guidelines, and this is one of the few ideas with “active” participation for everyone.
4. Gather friends and family for an online group video call. Seeing family and friends and hearing their familiar voices is a valuable step toward healing – even via a screen. We can help set up a conferencing service if needed. Your family and invite participants to share a favorite memory or story about their loved one who died. Also, Zoom meetings can be recorded for replay or sharing later.
5. Create a video slideshow of photos, videoclips, and special music Go through the old family photos and bring up the newer ones on your computer or mobile device. Seeing the photos again at this time can be a wonderful family experience, and you can create something to share. Your funeral director can set up our photo slideshow system for you. Here you can create and share this special video online or order a memory book or DVD.
6. Share memories and photos on the tribute wall on our obituary page. The support and stories shared may provide a surprising amount of comfort. The process of collecting the photos is very therapeutic.
7. Create a memory table within your home.  Think of this display as the same thing you may have done at a visitation at the funeral home. Create a table with photos and memorabilia to honor your loved one. The process of gathering these items is as much a part of the healing as seeing the finished tribute.
8. Start the process now to create the public memorial service or celebration of life to be held in the future. Our funeral professionals and Celebrant Leaders can start the family conversation to learn what you want to do for a wonderful tribute to your loved one.  These unusual circumstances actually provide more time to create meaningful and unique components for the service.
9. Write a Biography.  A collaborative and carefully prepared story written with friends and family can be shared with the world. The time spent to paint the picture of their life with words can be therapeutic, educational, and rewarding.
10. Set up a memorial donation. More than ever, churches and nonprofits are in need of financial support. Your friends and family may offer a donation in your loved one’s name to their favorite church or charity and celebrate the mission of the help you are providing, in your loved one’s name.
11. Explore personal tributes that are fitting to your loved one. Examples include planting a tree in their honor on your own property, requesting a dedication plaque on a bench or tree in a local park. Many towns have these options already available. Look to an organization that was special and see if you can arrange for a tribute through them.
12. Eulogies and reflections can be shared via letter or by audio/video recording. Request from friends or family members to mail their letters or to have them record their eulogies on video or audio clips.  We can help your family with the equipment and the steps to organize into a single tribute.
13. Encourage the family to enjoy a beloved meal in their loved one’s honor. Grief experts and funeral professionals have long known the value to the family of  gathering to share a meal and memories at a reception. We encourage you to do the same from the safety of their own homes. A similar idea might be to share your loved one’s favorite recipe and encourage everyone to make this sweet treat on the same day.
14. Start the process of designing the headstone or monument for their final resting place. We can create a custom design and work with the funeral staff to plan an unveiling ceremony for a later date.

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