Facts about funerals and COVID-19
A Notice to Our Families
July 2021
The families we serve are always our top priority. During confusing and concerning times such as the current COVID-19 event, we want to share our plans with you. We want to assure you that we are all in this together.
First, we are closely monitoring and following all guidelines from the CDC as well as all local and state emergency services. At this point there has been NO direction from any source that visitations or services should be cancelled. We have set in place new measures to help protect the members of our community. We will make every effort to accommodate families in making arrangements via phone or email; and we are conducting services in any capacity needed to ensure their safety and comfort while honoring their loved one.
We are taking necessary steps in order to avoid compromising the health of our visitors that include all of the following and more:
- Increasing frequency cleaning in all of our public areas as per CDC guidelines.
- Working with our families to adjust services and limit funeral attendees as directed by state and local authorities.
- Placing signs in our facilities that remind guests to avoid physical contact and maintain physical distance during a funeral service.
- We have the ability to complete funeral services entirely online, through email or by phone.
- We have online guestbooks available and the option to call our offices for us to add your name to the guestbooks.
- We have enabled the Hugs-from-Home program for relatives and friends to send a special message to their loved ones who are grieving.
Furthermore, we are providing complimentary live streaming in certain areas of our buildings for family and friends that are unable to attend the funeral service. We are also encouraging the use of live streaming through social media channels as a means of allowing your loved ones view the service.
Please continue to follow the CDC recommendations to take the usual steps to help prevent the spread of illness:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or inner elbow
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Stay home when you are sick or not feeling well.
Again, our family and staff are here to serve, protect and honor each family as we have been for over 96 years. If you have any questions or concerns please feel to call any of our locations or send us an email. We will continue to post updates and follow any new guidelines as they arise.
*CDC Information Copied from NFDA
At this time, the CDC states that decedents with COVID-19 may be buried or cremated according to the family’s preferences. They state that there is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral home with the body of someone who has died of COVID-19. However, the CDC states that people may consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19.
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Van Orsdel Funeral & Cremation Services
Van Orsdel Funeral & Cremation Services