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COVID-19: Pandemic has affected memorial services

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created changes in all of our lives. Memorial services are steeped in tradition, but in these trying times, even the most sacred of traditions are susceptible to change. Our funeral homes in Roblin, Ste. Rose, Dauphin and McCreary remain open to serve you. There have been a number of changes to our services that you should be aware of.

We remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can continue to reach us by phone, online, or in person. In keeping with recommendations from public health officials, we will no longer meet with large groups in person. We can arrange for conference calls to discuss arrangements with you and your family. We can record those calls and distribute the recordings to any relevant parties.

For the time being, we are limiting our memorial services to private funerals. These events can have no more than 9 people in attendance, in accordance with regulations set in place by the Government of Manitoba.

Many people expect far greater numbers for memorial services. Though we can’t arrange for more people to be present physically, we have adapted technology to allow for more virtual visitors. We can live stream and record the memorial service. Both the recording and live stream are made available on a secure website. The link will be given to you, so you choose who is invited, either to the live stream or to download the recordings afterwards.

We will not be holding receptions until the situation improves. We understand that for many families, the reception is one of the most important parts of the memorial service. For the time being, you might opt to use Skype, FaceTime, or another video chat service to hold a virtual reception.

These accommodations won’t suit everyone; we understand. Should you choose to, we can reschedule the memorial service for a later date. When public health officials deem it appropriate, we will work with you to find a suitable time for the memorial service. This option is available if your loved one has been embalmed or cremated, so should you choose to reschedule, we will continue to shelter your loved one at no charge.

We’ve been taking extra precautions at our locations to ensure public health and safety. In our line of work, sanitary conditions have always been at the forefront of our minds. At this point in time, we are diligently sanitizing all surfaces, paying special attention to surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs and desks.

We want you to know that though times are uncertain and the situation is changing rapidly, we’re here for you. Call us anytime, day or night, with any questions or concerns you might have. Take care of yourself. Lean on your community. While we can’t necessarily be near each other physically, we can be with each other in spirit.