"I foresee changes" - Funeral Director

Friday 20 March 2020

Funerals in Guernsey are already having to face restrictions with further changes likely amidst the growing threat of the global covid-19 pandemic, a number of funeral directors have said.

Preparations have already started, and changes already made to fall in line with Public Health advice on social distancing.

The way memorial services are organised might be done digitally to avoid contact, and the services themselves could be delayed to avoid large gatherings, it has been suggested. There is already evidence of this happening, with the wording of notices on the Guernsey Press Family announcements page suggesting a number of funerals will be held privately with memorial services at later dates. 

Philip Duquemin, the Chairman of Beckford's Funeral Services, said they had already had one large planned funeral change from a church to a small function at their Chapel of Rest. "We are encouraging social distancing as much as possible and particularly at funerals," he said. "We are also requesting that meetings with bereaved family members be limited to only two members apart from asking additional questions to safeguard bereaved families and staff."

Argent Funerals' Principal Funeral Director Gary Vaudin said they would be taking steps to speak to bereaved families on the telephone and online to limit physical contact with people. 

Pictured: The Dean of Guernsey announced churches across Guernsey would be closing to prevent large social gatherings, particularly for vulnerable over 65s. 

Argent, Beckfords and Vaudin's all said they were waiting for more details on, and would be following government advice as it was issued.

Mr Vaudin said: "From Argent's point of view at the moment, it is business as usual other than the advice that has been issued and the churches being closed - but that will change as more advice comes down.

"If you bare in mind that most funerals are for people over 65, it is going to have the impact of inevitably dwindling congregations. Even at some funerals last week there have been some smaller attendances. 

"I foresee what will happen is that we will have to change the way we operate."

Pictured: Procedures had already been put in place at Argent to ensure the safety of their employees and colleagues.  

Mr Vaudin said he thought it was likely the process of getting a body to either burial or cremation would probably be expedited, and then memorial services would be postponed until it was safe to hold them again. 

Mr Duquemin from Beckford's said they had posted the following guidance on their site: "As covid-19 continues to spread across the globe and in line with recent recommendations from government and health authorities, we have updated our procedures at Beckford’s Funeral Services Limited to ensure our services are not unduly affected and importantly, to protect the health of bereaved families, our staff and suppliers. 

"Specifically during this time of “Social Distancing” we have reviewed the procedures with regards to funerals, which include minimising contact between families and staff, as well as encouraging our bereaved families to consider private funerals with the option of a memorial service for the deceased being held at a time in the future. 

"We will continue to follow and revise our plans based on the advice by the States of Guernsey, Public Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure that we are always providing the best - and safest - service possible for our bereaved families."

Mr Vaudin added that so far, there hadn't been any collaboration between funeral services, but if they need arose, they would be very willing. 

Pictured top: Funerals over most often for over 65s, the most at-risk age group during the COVID-19 pandemic.