We all have heard about how Covid-19 has effected people working on the front line such as doctors and paramedics. However the experiences of people working in the funeral industry are less spoken about.
Georgia, who works as a Dove Releaser for a funeral company in Birmingham has spoken to me about her personal experiences and how Covid-19 has effected funeral ceremonies. She spoke to me about how she works at a lot of funerals for West Indian families, and describes how they are usually happy celebrations. These ceremonies usually involve over 200 people, drinking, laughter and reminiscing about the life of their loved one. Doves are usually handed out to the people attending in order to make the ceremony more personal and special.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, doves could not be handed out, a 2 meter distance had to be kept, and face masks had to be worn.
“It was devastating because it just felt wrong that we couldn’t fulfil the families wishes”.
At the burials, only 6 people were allowed to attend. Georgia described how they had “crowds of people locked behind the gates trying to get in, like we were in prison”. There was even security at the cemetery gates.
One case in which stood out, was the funeral of a woman who had 7 children. 1 of the siblings was denied access into the cemetery because they could only allow 6 people to attend. You can only imagine the strain that caused on the family, and the distress it caused the one who was denied access.
“It was heart-breaking to see a family like many others that couldn’t have a send off in the style they are used to”.
Georgia also spoke about how funerals sky rocketed. Before the outbreak in March, she did 30 dove releases in a month, however in the middle of the outbreak, it shot to 80 dove releases a month. These were mostly Coronavirus victims.
There has been 44,798 deaths in England between April – July 11th 2020 due to Covid-19 with the death rate more than doubled.
Professionals in full protective wear are the only people allowed near/handle the body.
Funeral ceremonies were also made difficult due to having to follow guidelines, such as people attending could not pet the horses, or physically comfort each other.
Georgia also expressed her frustration with people not following government guidelines; “people who were still visiting the beaches etc didn’t see the damage they were doing and the risk of the spread of the disease”. Her frustration is felt amongst many working on the front line of the pandemic, as they saw first hand the effect of Covid-19 which some were being so careless about.
“I wish people would see and understand how dangerous it truly is”.
How have funeral ceremonies changed?
Regulations recently changed so that up to 30 people can now attend funeral ceremonies. Despite the increase of numbers allowed to attend, this is still very different to those who are used to ceremonies with over 200 people.
A 2 meter distance must still be kept, and activities such as signing, chanting or playing instruments that are blown in to should be specifically avoided. This leaves funerals even more sombre, especially for communities who are used to ceremonies which are positive and filled with laughter and music.
Mourners are not allowed to come in close contact with the body. Only workers in full protective wear are allowed near or to handle the body, which gives the ceremony a very clinical and odd feeling, rather than personal and a celebration of life.
The Coronavirus Act 2020 as of the 25 March 2020 gave powers which enabled a local or national authority to direct whether a deceased person must be buried or cremated. Personal choice for body disposal will be “respected as far as possible”. For certain religions or cultures, cremation is not allowed, therefore for some, problems occurred and their loved ones bodies disposed in a way that they would not wish.
This pandemic has effected everyone in different ways, but the ways in which funeral services’ have been effected is dramatic and distressing. Seeing the government guidelines, Acts and hearing Georgia’s personal experiences it really emphasises the impacts of Covid-19 and how it is restricting the right to mourn and comfort each other.
This should encourage others to help by following all government advice, whether it be sufficiently washing your hands, keeping socially distanced from others and wearing masks. The people on the front line grow ever frustrated that people who are being careless do not realise the consequences of their actions. Just because lock-down restrictions are being eased, the community still needs to work together to stay safe, and beat this virus.
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