Coronavirus restrictions on funerals have reduced attendances, but expanded the ways loved ones can be remembered.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Albury-Wodonga funeral directors have welcomed the changes announced this week, with both Victoria (from 11.59pm Tuesday) and NSW (from Friday) to allow up to 20 mourners at a indoor funeral and up to 30 outdoors.
Lester and Son Funeral Directors area manager John Vogel said the increase would ease the situation for families, but people had actually shown great understanding throughout the crisis.
"Our families were very accommodating, they actually took it all on board and they complied with restrictions," he said.
When only 10 mourners were allowed, live streaming or recording services became more common as well as different forms of remembrance for those not able to attend.
"It can be as simple as having their notices presented to the family on the day of the service," Mr Vogel said.
"Some people send photos in of them and the deceased and we incorporate that in the service as well.
"Like the Anzac Day dawn service where people stood in their driveways, we've had families that have stood in their driveways, we've driven the hearse by.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"People have chosen to place ribbons on their doors in the favourite colour of the person that's died.
"There's many ways that they're still being part of the day without being there."
Lindsay Radcliffe, of Radcliffe Funeral Services, said people had been invited to send sympathy cards that would be forwarded to the family or email to receive a link to a recorded service.
"One funeral I had 150 people email me," he said.
"We just try and make sure that not just the family's needs to mourn are there but also the community's need to mourn."
Mr Radcliffe said his business planned to continue along the path of recording and sharing services.
"(Coronavirus restrictions are) kind of pushing us to get these things done, the technology's there," he said.
"Some things will become the norm out of it, I think.
"But I certainly hope that not shaking hands doesn't become the norm."
Mr Vogel said organising a funeral had also changed from a purely face to face or telephone experience.
"Now with COVID-19 and the increased use of Zoom and people becoming familiar with that, online arrangements are obviously something we can offer our families going forward," he said.
