NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM visited with Bob Arrington, founder and president, Arrington Funeral Directors, for a Question & Answer session to discuss steps his organization takes as they work with those who grieve the loss of loved ones – while dealing with COVID-19.
Question: How has Arrington changed the way it is handling visitation and funeral services?
Answer: As directed by the CDC and National Funeral Directors Association, we are limiting service attendance to FAMILY ONLY – keeping gatherings very small.
We are Live webcasting every service for extended family and friends to be able to watch.
The service is kept on the website for 90 days.
Most families are planning a public Memorial Service at a later time.
We have signage to remind people of social distancing (and) we have hand sanitizer about every 10-feet.
We have reduced our office hours to six hours, and we have staff members taking extra days off to limit exposure. We are doing our very best to serve in a limited capacity.
Question: If a large crowd is expected, and the service is at the Arrington chapel, how is this being handled?
Answer: We must limit the attendance. We have removed every other chair in the chapel to separate people as best we can.
We are trying our best to serve families while protecting the community – and our staff.
Question: Does the same rules apply if or when a service is held at a church?
Answer: Most churches are not having services in their buildings.
Question: How are families, who are grieving the loss of a loved one, handling the changes?
Answer: Obviously, they are not able to have the type service they would want but everyone understands and is accepting the reality of the conditions we are all in.
Families are staying close.
Question: Are you finding – or hearing – some people who may have been close to someone who has passed away are staying away from visitation and the service?
Answer: Yes, but webcasting is helping a lot.
(PHOTO: Bob Arrington, founder and president, Arrington Funeral Directors)
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