Anyone else worried about having to arrange a funeral/burial during the Covid-19 pandemic?

[Anonymous]

I have an elderly relative who is on dialysis and has other serious health issues. It will be a miracle if he survives this pandemic which could last 18 months or so, whether or not he actually gets the virus. He has a burial plot in a town a few hours’ drive from here, but the idea of not being able to have a funeral with extended family is sad.

[Anonymous]

I'm worried for the survivors who won't have the opportunity to grieve and remember their loved one properly.

[Anonymous]

I'm the mother of a kid on hospice, so this has been on my mind too.

We are Catholic, and at this point the archdiocese we live in is allowing funerals with immediate family only. However, I can't imagine a funeral without his aunts and uncles and other people who have loved and supported him throughout his life.

My very tentative thought is that if he dies while people are sheltering in place, and there are restrictions, that we will come together as a family by Zoom and pray and grieve, but that we will cremate his body and wait to hold a funeral mass and a celebration of his life and a burial when we can be together. Not an easy choice, but I think that's better than not giving people a chance to be there.

[Anonymous]

A good friend's grandmother passed away on Saturday. She was ill and it had nothing to do with Covid-19.

Her father is a Dr. and has been exposed. is in the hospital.

She drove home (6 hours) and they did a graveside service with her mom and the minister.

[Anonymous]

That is the least of my worries, since my first worry is whether any of my loved ones will die. Funerals or memorials can wait, actually. The person is already dead anyway.

[Anonymous]

You do a graveside service with a few people. And then months afterwards you can do a celebration of life. It’s my understanding that these bodies are cremated

[Anonymous]

Though, not if travel required?

I guess flights still possible?
I could do a 10-12 hour drive.
Sister would have to fly or drive 30 hours straight.

[Anonymous]

Yes. My grandmother is 93. She lives in a senior apartment complex which is locked down but she is allowed to have an aide come a few times a week. She lives in one of the hotspot cities.

[Anonymous]

Soon you will be required to cremate and they won't hold bodies for burial at a later date. We don't have the capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Soon you will be required to cremate and they won't hold bodies for burial at a later date. We don't have the capacity.

Are you guessing or basing that on something you have information about?

Wuhan held all the ashes, and didn't release any until recently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the mother of a kid on hospice, so this has been on my mind too.

We are Catholic, and at this point the archdiocese we live in is allowing funerals with immediate family only. However, I can't imagine a funeral without his aunts and uncles and other people who have loved and supported him throughout his life.

My very tentative thought is that if he dies while people are sheltering in place, and there are restrictions, that we will come together as a family by Zoom and pray and grieve, but that we will cremate his body and wait to hold a funeral mass and a celebration of his life and a burial when we can be together. Not an easy choice, but I think that's better than not giving people a chance to be there.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, I cannot imagine a more difficult situation and decision.

[Anonymous]

I am worried about this too. So tragic not to be able to have a proper goodbye ritual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the mother of a kid on hospice, so this has been on my mind too.

We are Catholic, and at this point the archdiocese we live in is allowing funerals with immediate family only. However, I can't imagine a funeral without his aunts and uncles and other people who have loved and supported him throughout his life.

My very tentative thought is that if he dies while people are sheltering in place, and there are restrictions, that we will come together as a family by Zoom and pray and grieve, but that we will cremate his body and wait to hold a funeral mass and a celebration of his life and a burial when we can be together. Not an easy choice, but I think that's better than not giving people a chance to be there.

God I am so very sorry.
I think you have a good plan. I send you peace at this time and love for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the mother of a kid on hospice, so this has been on my mind too.

We are Catholic, and at this point the archdiocese we live in is allowing funerals with immediate family only. However, I can't imagine a funeral without his aunts and uncles and other people who have loved and supported him throughout his life.

My very tentative thought is that if he dies while people are sheltering in place, and there are restrictions, that we will come together as a family by Zoom and pray and grieve, but that we will cremate his body and wait to hold a funeral mass and a celebration of his life and a burial when we can be together. Not an easy choice, but I think that's better than not giving people a chance to be there.

I am so sorry. I will say a special rosary for your child and family tonight. We will keep you all in our prayers. Hugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an elderly relative who is on dialysis and has other serious health issues. It will be a miracle if he survives this pandemic which could last 18 months or so, whether or not he actually gets the virus. He has a burial plot in a town a few hours’ drive from here, but the idea of not being able to have a funeral with extended family is sad.

I’m in a similar situation. My dad is not that old but he is on dialysis and I worry every day that he will catch COVID and die. At that point my siblings and I will need to travel to where he lives to put his affairs in order. I live in DC. Sibs live in Seattle. Dad lives just south of Chicago. Any way you slice it, it’s hard.