With more states issuing stricter rules and going on lockdown to prevent the further spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), funeral services will need to adapt to social distancing.  So far, some of the states that ordered its residents to stay home are California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Oregon. 

Even if your funeral home isn’t located in one of these states, the list is expected to continue to grow. So, it’s important to prepare now for having funeral services with social distancing in mind. 

We’re here to help, so we’ve come up with a few ideas for getting started.

Limit In-Person Funerals to Immediate Family Only 

One way to practice social distancing is to limit the in-person funeral service to immediate family members only. However, the specific number of people allowed at the service may vary depending on your state’s rules. For example, Wisconsin, banned gatherings of 10 or more people besides a few exemptions to the rule, such as healthcare facilities and grocery stores. 

For non-immediate family members, you can live stream the funeral online so they can still virtually attend. Check out our Facebook Live guide for live streaming instructions. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, families can have memorial services for everyone to attend. 

Another creative idea from Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Kentucky is to leave handwritten notes and balloons on chairs to fill up the funeral service space. It’s a meaningful way to show your love and support when you can’t physically attend the service. 

Plan Funerals Online 

To practice social distancing, you should do as much of the funeral planning online as possible. These days, technology makes it easy to stay connected, whether it’s through a phone call, email, or even a video chat. 

Frazer-powered websites also come with convenient solutions to make online planning even easier. With Tribute Pay, families can pay for the funeral expenses online. Since Frazer websites have SSL certificates, your client families’ personal information is safe and secure. To enroll in Tribute Pay, click here. 

Use the Tribute Store Memorial Tree Program 

With all the rules and lockdowns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, many florists may not be able to fulfil all the funeral and sympathy flower requests. If the family can’t send flowers, another meaningful way to honor and remember a loved one is through the Tribute Store Memorial Tree Program.  

With this program, the Tribute Store team works with their forestry partners to arrange for the planting of memorial trees in areas of greatest need. It’s a unique tribute that contributes to preserving the environment like no other memorial gift, while also honoring a loved one’s life. 

Encourage Virtual Memorialization Solutions 

Even without in-person guest books, families can still memorialize their loved one online. For example, Frazer-powered websites have Tribute Walls where families can share messages and memories about their loved one. They also can view the obituary, light a virtual candle, leave meaningful symbols, place memorial tree orders, and so much more. It’s a permanent virtual tribute for honoring and remembering a loved one. 

Your funeral home’s staff also can create meaningful mementos for your client families with Tribute Center. With this all-in-one personalization suite, you can create Tribute Videos, Life Journey Candles, and many more mementos with families’ photos.  

What tips do you have for adapting to funeral services with social distancing? Share them with us in the comments.