If your loved one dies of coronavirus, here are some things to know
6th April 2020 · 0 Comments
By C.C. Campbell-Rock
Contributing Writer
The new coronavirus pandemic has hit Louisiana, especially New Orleans, extra hard. State health officials said last Tuesday that 101 Louisianans who died of COVID-19 lived in New Orleans.
Overall, as of Friday, April 3, 2020, 370 Louisianans had died.
Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay-at-home order has affected New Orleans funeral traditions. Large second lines and repasts are out, video funerals, delayed memorials, and physical distancing of ten people at a time at private funeral services are in. One New Orleanian was arrested for holding a second line funeral last week. The event made national news.
Edwards announced last week that he was extend Louisiana’s stay-at-home order to reflect the country’s guidelines “Due to decrease in number of persons allowed to gather we will comply with city order and guide families to plan private ceremonies,” he said of services for the deceased.
The City of New Orleans’ Office Of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOLA Ready) published guidelines for funeral home staff as it pertains to the removal and handling of COVID-positive remains. “Based on the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans’ mandates on social gatherings, only the immediate (household of the deceased) family can be in attendance. Extended family and friends can watch online. Live Streaming and social media platforms can be used to share private size limited gatherings, which includes a wake, memorial service or other gatherings.”
Funeral Director Belva Pichon of Gertrude Geddes Willis Funeral Home says local funeral directors are working with a newly created task force with the state, Jefferson and Orleans parishes, the coroner, to come up with regulations for handling people who die from the new corona virus pandemic.
D.W. Rhodes Funeral Homes is offering live streaming services and posted the following on its Facebook page:
• Live streams of ceremony can be shared with guest beyond the immediate family;
• Other consideration would be an immediate burial or cremation followed by a delayed memorial celebration.
“Unfortunately, if a loved one dies during the pandemic, regardless of the circumstances of their death, it is unlikely that a traditional funeral or memorial service will be possible, at least in the immediate future. There are still things you can do, however, to honor your loved one, or to support someone who has experienced the death of a family member or friend,” the Rhodes company said in a press release.
“Note that funeral homes have local, state and federal guidelines that need to be followed regarding funerals that are held during this time, with some states banning funerals entirely. There are also guidelines that need to be followed when the individual has died, or may have died, of COVID-19. These guidelines are in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, funeral home staff and attendees of any funeral or gathering. Things change daily, so speak with your funeral director for the most up-to-date information,” the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) posted on its website.
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.”
The NFDA suggests that If you’re unable to have a funeral for your loved one, or if it will be delayed, there are some things you can do to practice self-care and stay connected with family and friends while you begin the grief journey.
• Post notice of your loved one’s death on social media and invite your friends and family to post a memory and/or photo.
• Write a letter about your loved one and memories you have, make copies and mail them out to friends and family. Invite them to reply to you with memories of their own.
• Reach out to family and friends by phone. They’ll enjoy hearing from you and it’s an opportunity for you to share a memory of your loved one and for them to do the same.
• Keep a journal. As you are inspired to do so, write about memories of your loved one and how you are feeling about your grief. Share those memories with others as you are comfortable in doing so.
On March 19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance to states naming mortuary workers as “critical infrastructure workers.” Many states have adopted the DHS recommendations. One thing this order suggests is that critical infrastructure worker should be exempt from “shelter-in-place,” mandates.
If a loved one does not have burial insurance, there is burial access for indigent cases. Oftentimes, a person may be buried at Holt Cemetery, a potter field cemetery.
There is always the option of holding memorial services and secondline parades to honor our dearly departed once the quarantine order is lifted.
This article originally published in the April 6, 2020 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
