ORLANDO, Fla. — When a loved one dies, a large family gathering oftentimes follows. But what happens now when large gatherings are prohibited and social distancing is becoming a new normal?
Channel 9 reporter Jeff Deal found out that the coronavirus pandemic is prompting changes in how funeral services are planned.
“It is hard when you see a family grieving and you can't put your arms around them,” said Kimberly Mitchell, with Mitchell’s Funeral Home in Orlando.
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In viewing rooms, signs with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to limit the size of gathering are posted next to hand sanitizer stations.
Mitchell said some families are opting for limiting the attendance to fewer than 10 people, which is recommended by the CDC, or coming to a viewing in shifts.
Mitchell said some churches have offered livestreaming for services online and that the funeral home is now working to bring that service to their in-house chapel.
She said they're doing everything they can to keep people safe while celebrating he lives of those who have passed, including asking anyone exposed to someone with coronavirus to stay away.
“Please stay away for the safety of not only their family, but other families that are here and also our staff,” Mitchell said.
People in the funeral business said they hope the government will make it a mandate, not just a recommendation, that they can no longer provide services with more than 10 people to keep families from fighting them on the issue.
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