JANUARY 2022 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 31
FUNERAL RESTRICTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC
BY SHEYLA TORRES
With Covid-19 cases rising in New York,
it is vital to be aware of restrictions for
certain gatherings. Funerals are one
of the events that require caution and
guidelines for everyone present to ensure
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safe services. Reopening New York
State guidelines are still enforcing social
distancing at funerals. It is advised that
individuals be 6 feet apart at all times.
The guidelines also advise limiting
physical touch among attendees, which
includes hugging, shaking hands, or
kissing. Attendance itself should also be
limited to immediate family. Staff and
workers should follow the guidelines
as well. According to the guidelines
for religious and funeral services, it
is mandatory to have no more than
50% maximum congregant/attendee
capacity for the area.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Twitter, “I
share New Yorkers’ frustration that we
are not past this pandemic. But the winter
surge is here & we must take action.”
She continued the tweet introducing
the new requirement: Masks must be
worn in all indoor public places, unless
businesses or venues implement a vaccine
requirement.
The guideline also mentions that objects
and activities used in the service
should be restricted: This includes
religious texts, singing, and podiums.
The guideline also enforces disinfecting
and cleaning of all areas and encouragement
of disinfecting products such as
hand sanitizer.
Some funeral homes have special
guidelines as well put in place for a
pandemic, with a separate capacity
of how many people can attend. Some
funeral homes also have live-streaming
video conferencing or other options for
people to attend remotely.
Prevention tips are also advised.
Wearing masks — or several masks,
especially if unvaccinated — is advised.
Getting tested aft er the funeral services
or any gathering of larger groups
is recommended in order to stop the
spread and know if quarantine is
necessary.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention has guidelines as well
for funeral home workers. Funeral
homes conducting services for someone
who has died of Covid-19 should
use Personal Protective Equipment
and the correct disinfecting protocols.
There are no restrictions,
however, for embalming, cremating,
or burying someone who has died of
from Covid-19. Attendees are advised
to reach out to the funeral home and
find out other policies they may have.
LIVE & EVER AFTER
According to the guidelines for religious and funeral services, it is mandatory
to have no more than 50% maximum congregant/attendee capacity for
the area. (Getty Images)
/www.mtpleasantcrematory.com
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