Many in the community are holding small graveside services, while postponing larger-scale gatherings with extended family and friends until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. (submitted photo/Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium)

By Martin Martinson

COVID Effects

The effects of COVID-19 on funeral services

Mar 30, 2020 | 2:56 PM

The global COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching effects on everything from daily work schedules, to sports and entertainment and other events throughout the province, as it has around the world.

Another 20 confirmed cases in Saskatchewan Monday, brings the provincial total to 176.

In response to the growing number of people affected, the provincial government recently ushered in further restrictions to public gatherings, allowing no more than 10 people to congregate together, as of last week.

Not the least of things affected by the new guidelines, have been funerals.

President and licensed funeral director with Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium in North Battleford, Trevor Watts, said while the funeral home’s services are still available to those in need, they are taking every precaution to keep both the families and their staff safe.

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Watts said they have locked the building, but are still open by appointment; adding they are keeping most of the staff at home, while only the essential front-line staff come in to the office.

In addition to the personnel side of things, Watts also said majority of their bookings and arrangements have been done remotely as well to limit face-to-face interaction.

“When we are making funeral arrangements with families now, most of it is done over the phone or internet,” he said. “Then [when needed] we’re bringing some families in for signatures and things on legal documents, but limiting the number of people to two at a time.”

As for the funeral services, themselves, Watts said people have been very understanding of the restrictions due to the COVID-19 situation, with many opting to hold a small graveside service while postponing the larger-scale get-together with extended family and friends until after the pandemic.

“People are tending to just have services at a later date when this all settles down,” Watts said. “With cremation, a lot of families will just have a service at a later date; and if it is a traditional earth burial we’re limiting that to just a family graveside service, so less than five people at the graveside for the interment [and then] they are doing a service at a later date as well.”

He added the postponement of the larger scale get-togethers also takes away concern of those from far away needing to travel during the pandemic.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1