News around coronavirus deaths and funerals continues to develop. Here are a few more stories from various news outlets.
How the Virus Robs Families of the Rituals of Mourning
A New York Times article on April 10, 2020 details how military funerals are being curtailed and a limited number of Jewish families can attend a graveside funeral – and they have to bring their own shovels.
‘We’re Going to See What Else the Word Funeral Can Mean’
This New York Times article illustrates how as the coronavirus pandemic limits people’s ability to mourn, they are finding new ways to say goodbye. Includes quotes from my funeral director friend, Amy Cunningham!
NPR Correspondents on Religious Funeral Impacts
NPR correspondents in Israel, India and Iraq talk about how social distancing is impacting traditional funeral observances for Jews, Hindus and Muslims. https://www.npr.org/2020/04/06/827922252/global-roundtable-coronavirus-crisis-upends-death-rituals
Online Funeral Planner Now Free to Help in Troubled Times
Funeralwise, the industry leader in online funeral planning with over 47,000 plans created on its site, is offering its most comprehensive planning tool, the Wise Plan Complete, free to the public during the COVID-19 crisis. The free upgrade from their “Quick Plan” will save people $49.95. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/online-funeral-planner-now-free-to-help-in-troubled-times-301036467.html
The Last Responder: A Day with an NYC Funeral Director
The Associated Press spent a day on the road with a Brooklyn funeral director overwhelmed by demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. U.S. News & World Report ran this powerful story. https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2020-04-06/the-last-responder-a-day-with-a-nyc-funeral-director
What You Should Know Before You Need a Ventilator
This is a New York Times opinion column by Dr. Kathryn Dreger, a doctor of internal medicine in Northern Virginia and a clinical assistant professor of medicine at Georgetown University. She goes into vivid detail about what it means to be placed on a ventilator if you are a COVID-19 patient. This is the time to update your advance medical directives! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/04/opinion/coronavirus-ventilators.html
Stay home, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face (if you can).