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FAMILY MEMBERS CAN still attend funerals, the government said today, as long as “social distancing rules are respected”.
While the HSE had previously issued guidance on funeral services during the Covid-19 crisis, concerns have been expressed by many at the prospect of saying goodbye to a family member without a proper funeral.
At a press briefing this morning, Elizabeth Canavan from the Department of the Taoiseach said that further guidance from the HSE is “now being developed”.
Canavan said that “immediate family members can still attend funeral services burials and cremation provided the social distancing rules are respected. This relates to all funerals, including those arising out of Covid-19 deaths”.
Canavan said that the numbers in a church or at a graveside should not exceed 10.
“This may be restricted further in small closed spaces,” Canavan said. “Individual churches may also put in place restrictions which respond to specific local circumstances.”
Last night, health officials confirmed a further 295 cases of the Covid-19 virus in Ireland and said another 8 people had died from the disease.
There have now been 54 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland; the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases stands at 2,910.
Previous advice from the HSE, issued earlier this month, advised that for anyone who has died from Covid-19 “there should be a closed coffin service and only a small number of people should attend the funeral to pay their respects”.
This HSE advice suggested the following measures for those who are close contacts of someone who had Covid-19 and died, and who wish to attend the funeral:
Funeral services are named on the ‘essential services’ list published by the government on Saturday.
On Friday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a raft of restrictive new measures aimed at stemming the spread of the virus in Ireland. People are being told to stay at home for the next two weeks, until Easter Sunday 12 April.
Data from the Modelling Advisory Group revealed that before restrictions were in place, the daily growth rate of confirmed Covid-19 cases was at 33%. This has fallen in recent days to around 15%.
With reporting from Stephen McDermott
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Grim Times
@John Quill: worse to come unfortunately.
@SFAnkleTapper: where did you get your crystal ball?
@Bitcoin Buddy: Sure you’re into healing crystals, bitcoin pyramid schemes and all sorts of superstition!
This advice is conflicting, on the one hand family can attend but on the other a maximum of 10 can be in the church or cemetery for burial. The one thing any family member would want is to attend the funeral of their nearest and dearest,there is no reason at present to prevent this or restrict this provided social distancing is implemented. All family members should be able to attend.
@Honeybee: I’ve a huge family, we’d have to draw straws if the 10 attendees rule applied.
@hellsbells: Imagine the emotional impact of being told that not only do you not get to see a family member before their death but that you cannot even attend the funeral. This could have severe repercussions on people for the rest of their lives including relationships within a family.
@hellsbells: better than attending multiple funerals
@Honeybee: I absolutely agree with you, but you have to look around at what other countries are now doing. For example in Spain funerals are banned no more than 3 people I believe to attend including the ones who have to carry the coffins in full protective gear. In Italy it’s been worse even. So yes, it’s is by far upsetting but it is to ensure there is less infections and less deaths overall.
Harsh as it may seem, there is obviously a real worry that by breaking these guidelines to go to a funeral, you could be the cause of many more funerals.
I’m fully certain that all who can’t attend a funeral will be forgiven and there will be ample opportunities to pay respects once this has all passed.
@Dara O’Brien: exactly, those attending who are not living with the deceased should simply not be interacting, especially if different households must travel to the funeral. Sorry to say this but this virus doesn’t care or disappear for the day for us to follow social norms. Those who attend have to heavily consider the risk they are putting on their other family members and elderly. Sorrowful times, but alas we have not even reached the peak yet with many more deaths expected over the coming months. There will be time to grief and pay respects at a later stage when we are confident this grave risk has past.
@Derek: I went to a funeral yesterday and there was at least 5 meters between everyone there. Some folk stood at their own loved ones graves well away from the funeral. The locals lined the street on both sides but everyone stayed 5m apart also.
The majority of us drove to the village, stayed away from each other during the funeral and then drove straight home.
@David Corrigan: I’m sorry for your loss. It’s hard to properly mourn when you can’t interact with everyone else who knew the deceased.
@David Corrigan: There David,you have shown how it is possible to attend a funeral while not exposing anyone to unnecessary risk. I am sorry for the loss of the poor individual you grieve, these are strange and difficult times in which we find ourselves.
So there can be 100 people in a supermarket but only 10 in a church or graveyard? Makes sense.
I really dont how it will work anyway, as a loved one is buried, all you want to do is be close to your family.
Sad times for funeral chasing politicians.
@G Row: Not the time or the place for such comments, IMO
@Jo H: That’s your opinion, are you a fan?
@G Row: too sad that you have no humanity
@Oliver Mahon: I have family members on the front line, real front line, nurses on Covid wards. I do not trust our so called leaders with their lives.
You obviously do, too sad that you are that gullible.
Never ceases to amaze me that every discussion on this site ends up with an exchange of vile comments and insults .
@Gerry Fogarty: Are you new here?
Politicians will be delighted if this Policy remains even after the crisis is over.
Less work after all that’s most of what they do.
Will we miss the Gombeens at Funeral’s
Never ceases to amaze me that every discussion on this site ends up with N exchange of vile comments and insults
I read something very similar to this in a WhatsApp message 3 or 4 weeks ago the journal debunked it as fake news Ironic!
@Seanboy: everything was different 3 or 4 weeks ago and these restrictions were not in place then.4 weeks ago you could still go to the pub
@Seanboy: It was fake news back then. Clearly, things have changed.
10 family members at a loved 1s funeral and the likes of Tesco’s and Aldi etc have 40 / 50/ 60 people in the same area…. i feel fit anyone loosing a family member or close friend at this time
That’s your opinion, you a fan?
have your say