Funeral homes also enacted measures to limit the number of people in the facility at one time. Hoffman said, for example, that families are limited to sending one or two members to the funeral home to make arrangements. During the planning, the director and the family members keep their distance from each other and tables are disinfected several times a day.
“We do everything we can do to make a safe environment for not only the families but the staff and try to help people in the best normal way that we do,” Hoffman said.
Virtual gatherings
Both Buhrig and Hoffman adhere to guidance limiting gatherings fewer than 10 people. The restriction prompted both to turn to virtual services.
“With the invention of modern technology and everything that’s through it, this is a whole different situation than it would have been even five years ago,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman Funeral Home had offered webcasts of funerals in the past, but those were usually available for people who couldn’t make it to the funeral in person because of distance or other reasons, not for people “who are next door” but not allowed to come.
“If a public service is wanted, there are two options: waiting until later or doing streaming,” Hoffman said.
As of early last week, Hoffman said his funeral home had 20 services pending. When the state reopens, he will start scheduling those services.
