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Funeral Arrangements Being Altered Due to Coronavirus

WHEELING — No church services. No conventional visitation. No hugs and handshakes.

Funeral directors in the Ohio Valley are facing challenges while helping grieving families plan funerals for loved ones in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

With directives from local, state and even President Trump on social distancing and gatherings, planning funerals has become an even greater challenge.

Gene Fahey, vice president and general manager at Altmeyer Funeral Homes in Wheeling, said funeral directors must abide by the edicts issued regarding safe health practices.

That includes having fewer people congregate for viewings and funerals. His staff is taking all necessary precautions while providing families with their wishes.

On a positive note, Fahey said “it appears our community is self-regulating.”

“Some families who would have traditional public visitations are leaning toward private, family-only visitation and memorial services in the future,” Fahey said.

One issue that has caused some concern is the families seeking a Catholic Mass or church service.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has closed its churches and Mass is not to be celebrated in West Virginia until further notice. That is to protect the general public and the priests, many of whom are over the age of 60. Ohio’s Catholic churches also ceased all services as of Tuesday, too.

“The Church recommends to do exactly what we are doing — have a private graveside service and when we get a clean bill of health, a memorial Mass,” Fahey commented. “Some of the churches are so monstrous, they just could not keep up with disinfecting them every time people are in there.”

Altmeyer’s is allowing small gatherings of no more than 10 people at a time and they are being kept apart. They also are keeping a list of names of everyone who comes into the locations.

“I’m proud of our community, how they are self-regulating, staying up-to-date with the local news,” Fahey added.

He suggests people continue to offer their condolences to families via funeral home websites.

Jerry Fiutem, funeral director and general manager, at Wilson Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Ohio, said one of the biggest concerns is trying to meet the families’ needs while adhering to the constraints of public intermingling.

“We have to flow with the rules. We have a sign outside the funeral homes that instructs visitors about no signs of affections, no food or drink can be brought, stay apart, things like that,” Fiutem said.

He noted that often people will bring food into the funeral home to offer the families, but that is not allowed at this time. There are no bottles of water or coffee pot being used in the funeral home until the coronavirus issue is deemed safe.

Fiutem said people are upset about not being permitted to have funerals in churches at this time. He said the priests are not even permitted to come to the funeral home.

“Everything has to be private and we are working with the families to do as they see fit while following the rules,” Fiutem commented.

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