How Funerals Are Accommodating COVID-19 Guidelines
Matt BosterViewed: 3155
Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Mar 27 2020 6:22 PM
DOTHAN: ?COVID-19 guidelines have impacted schools, businesses and everyday life. Social distancing has changed the way the general public interacts in every way, including family visitations and funerals. The natural reaction when someone wants to show sympathy and concern for another human being is typically a hug, handshake or pat on the back. The 6-foot distancing rule has changed this action and the limited number of people able to gather in a space at one time.
“One of the most encouraging ways to show support for a family during the grieving process is attending a loved one’s funeral,” says Robert Byrd, funeral director and owner at Sunset Memorial Park. “The new rules, which are for the public’s protection, have limited the number of people sitting side by side during a service,” he continued.
Robert, his wife Toni and son Andrew, who are also funeral directors, have implemented a way of showing love to grieving families when friends and family are not able to attend in person. In a show of solidarity, Sunset Memorial Park offers a new program called Heartfelt Thoughts. This program is offered at no cost. It allows those who cannot attend a funeral due to COVID-19 regulations to send messages to the family. The messages are attached and represented by a beautiful heart shaped balloon which stands in the spaces between the six-foot guidelines. The sight itself can be a healing balm to a family who might feel saddened when they see a reduced number of funeral attendees. In addition, Sunset has the ability to live stream and record funerals.
“These are unusual times and we knew we had to come up with a way for families to see how many people care and are thinking of them,” says Andrew Byrd. “After the funeral, we give the messages to the family for them to save and read.”
For those who are not able to attend the funeral due to the new social distancing regulations, they are asked to call Sunset Memorial Park prior to the funeral and let them know the name or personalized message they would like attached to the balloon.
Sunset Memorial Park continues its thorough cleaning processes and has also established even more frequent routines of wiping high touch surfaces, disinfecting the air and furniture, and providing hand sanitizer for the families and attendees.
For more information visit ?facebook.com/sunsetmemorialpark?, sunsetmemorialpark.com or call 334.983.6604.
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