I’m writing this during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic when life is very much not as we know it. Sadly, the number of mourners allowed at most funerals at the moment is very much restricted to sometimes as few as 10.
I totally understand and appreciate that this is so hard – no-one should have to choose who attends a funeral. Anyone who wishes to pay their respects should be able to, but life is not normal at the moment and staying safe and protecting the NHS is important.
I wanted to offer you my thoughts on some of the things you could do to mark the occasion of someone’s funeral without being there…
- Ask if you can be emailed or posted a copy of the Order of Service
- At the time of the funeral light a candle in memory of the person
- Consider playing the music that has been chosen as you remember them
- A funeral or Celebration of Life will often include a piece of music chosen for ‘Reflection’, a time we can spend remembering the person in our own thoughts
- If safe and practical within the restrictions, consider standing on the route taken by the hearse to pay your respects, this is a very poignant and traditional thing to do
Some funerals are able to be shown online which is usually done for mourners who are overseas or cannot travel to be there but at these difficult times, it’s being used more and more so check with your Funeral Director or the family to see if this is possible.
I hope these suggestions help you at what will be a very difficult time. Stay safe and stay well. We will get through this.
Emma
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