Planning a Funeral in the Midst of a Pandemic

With the highly infectious nature of COVID-19, social distancing and government restrictions are in full swing. COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of daily life as we know it, and the funeral industry is no exception. At Perth Cremations, we offer personalised and affordable funeral services to Perth families. We understand that planning a funeral can be distressing at any time, but especially during this unprecedented virus outbreak. If you are planning a funeral of loved one, read ahead for information that may help you understand how the current restrictions will affect your funeral arrangements.

How Do the COVID-19 Restrictions Affect Funerals in Australia?

Presently, funerals are restricted to a maximum of 10 guests. People who are needed to conduct the funeral, such as the funeral director and celebrant, are not generally included as part of the 10-person limit, unless the funeral is in a small venue. With the slowing rate of newly reported cases of coronavirus, this restriction is expected to remain for at least the next few months, with further limits unlikely to be placed on funerals.

Involving Loved Ones in the Funeral

When losing a family member or friend, it is important that everyone has an opportunity to express their grief and support each other through the difficult time. While only limited guests can attend in person, there are ways to still include everyone in a funeral service.

• live stream the service
• have loved ones send video messages to be screened at the funeral
• record the funeral and create a video to share with others
• ask friends and family to stop for a moment of remembrance at a specific date and time

While it may be inconvenient and difficult to limit the number of attendees at a funeral, it is important to understand that these measures are intended to protect your health and well-being, and that of your loved ones as well as help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Funeral Options Amidst COVID-19

There are a number of very practical options that you should consider if you are arranging a funeral during this time.

Utilise Technology

Most funeral directors can arrange a videographer to record a funeral for you, and some will even be able to help you live-stream the service. This allows everyone that is unable to be physically present to still ‘attend’ virtually from the safety of their own homes. Perth Cremations is providing complimentary live streaming and recording of Funeral Services for Cremation Packages 4, 5 & 6…. and Burial Packages 2 & 3.

Move it Outdoors

To minimise risk, you should consider holding the funeral in an outdoor area with plenty of space. Ask your funeral director to provide outdoor options, usually that could mean at the graveside, in a park or other public event space.

Plan a Future Memorial Service

A great option to consider is a memorial for your loved one at a later date when there is no longer a pandemic and restrictions on gatherings. This will mean a direct cremation (otherwise known as a “no service, no attendance” cremation) whereby the funeral home will organise the cremation and then deliver the ashes to you. You can then organise a memorial service in your own time to farewell your loved one. This will allow you to celebrate and reflect on the life of your loved one with all the people they shared a connection with when it is safe to do so. Memorial services provide much more flexibility as there is no time limit as to when a memorial can take place – a service can occur weeks or even months after the death.

If you have recently lost a family member, it’s important to understand that funeral services are still taking place, however the limitations put in place may significantly affect the way in which the funeral is conducted and who can attend. Perth Cremations are adhering to all government policies that are put in place for the safety and protection of everyone involved and we are doing our utmost to provide options to your family such as videoing, recording of the service as well as live streaming and photography. Please get in touch with us today on 1800 823 669 for more information.