…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.”