×

Funeral homes responding to coronavirus concerns

USING TECHNOLOGY — Staff at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home in Weirton watch as audiovisual consultant Lou Contunmelio operates equipment used to livestream funeral services for people unable to attend. Greco-Hertnick is among funeral homes that have used such means to make funeral services accessible to people unable to attend in person and is one option for addressing concerns about spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. -- Contributed

From taking extra care to prevent the spread of bacteria in their establishments to using technology to bring large groups together, many area funeral homes are prepared to help people deal with the loss of a loved one while reducing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Following recommendations against gatherings of 10 or more people, some funeral homes have established speakers so attendees can listen to funeral services in another room while others have used video equipment and the internet to livestream the services to people in their homes.

“The idea came about a few years ago when someone was in the Armed Forces and couldn’t get back for a funeral,” said John Greco, owner of Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home in Weirton.

Greco said for many years he and his staff had made audio recordings of services for family members who wanted a keepsake. As new technology emerged, audiocassettes were replaced with DVDs, he said.

Greco said the wall-mounted camera is focused always on the speakers and never on the casket.

Joe Mullenbach, owner of Mullenbach Funeral Home, said when requested, he’s used a cell phone on a tripod, placed discreetly in the funeral parlor, to record or stream a service.

Like Greco, Mullenbach began the practice prior to the coronavirus’ arrival.

“Sometimes families have people who can’t be there,” he said, adding, “We had a man in Alaska who couldn’t make it for a funeral. He didn’t want a video. He just wanted to be able to see it.”

Mullenbach said for several years funeral homes have offered people the opportunity to offer condolences online and the number who do has grown tremendously.

Eric Fithyan, owner of Chambers and James Funeral Homes, said videoconferencing has enabled him to reach mourners who, because of distance, poor health or other reasons, can’t be there in person.

Fithyan said the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemeteries Administration has suspended military honors by its representatives, who frequently travel state to state.

“But just because military honors can’t be done now doesn’t mean they can never be done,” he said, noting arrangements can be made for them to be conducted at a deceased veteran’s grave.

Local funeral home owners said while many local churches have temporarily closed to deter the virus from spreading, their clergy have been available to lead services and offer prayers or counseling.

Fithyan noted some funeral homes, like his own, employ clergy or have staff qualified to lead services.

The funeral home owners also said they are reminding families they can plan memorial services to be held at a later date.

“We’ve had a couple families who are waiting until the warnings are lifted to hold memorial services,” said Sam Shorac, owner of Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home.

He said the funeral home also has shifted toward visitation for the immediate family only, followed by graveside services, where larger numbers can gather while keeping a safer distance from each other.

For the present time the funeral home also has dispensed with limousine rides to the gravesite for the immediate family and closed a kitchen and dining area where families could prepare and share meals, Shorac added.

Following instructions from both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and trade organizations, funeral homes also are taking extra steps to clean and sanitize their establishments.

But local funeral home owners said maintaining a clean environment is standard procedure for them.

“We’re pretty good about scrubbing stuff. We keep things tidy,” said Mullenbach said.

“People say, are you cleaning? We’re always tidy,” said Fithyan, who added standards for the transfer and embalming of the diseased are quite stringent.

Fithyan said he’s pleased the National Funeral Directors Association has succeeded in having funeral directors and related staff named “critical infrastructure workers” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, meaning they aren’t expected to be included in mandates to stay home from work.

He said while discussing the option of memorial services in the past, he also has encouraged families not to schedule them for much later because he feels funeral services are vital to people coming to terms with a loss.

“When you have a visitation, you are able to get through the stages of grief more quickly with the help of others,” Fithyan said.

“If we’re at a point when we don’t have that option, we as funeral homes will need to fill that void in some way,” he said.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today