Updated Covid Funeral Policies
Updated Covid Funeral Policies
Updated May 14, 2021
We recognize the seriousness of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and are doing everything we can to keep the families we serve and our staff safe.
Our team is making every effort possible to keep our facilities clean and sanitized. Our staff is here to remind visitors about the necessary distancing practices.
We have been receiving regular updates from the RI Dept of Health and our professional experts to keep our guests safe.
We are continuing to provide families with wakes and visitations, funerals, and memorial services.
Visitations/Wakes : Calling hours and wake are permitted with a limit of 80% capacity indoors.
Starting May 28, the following additional flexibilities will be allowed for funeral homes:
- Capacity limits will increase to 100%
- A physical distance of three feet between people who are not from the same household must be maintained at all times.
- Masks must be worn at all times when indoors. When outdoors, masks must be worn if people are within three feet of others from outside their household.
- Safe distancing does limit hugging and touching, sorry!
- Anyone who is sick or has symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend.
Funerals, Memorials & Celebrations of Life:
- Funerals, memorial services, and celebrations of life are allowed with a limit of 80% capacity indoors with a cap of 500 people at one time. If a funeral home has multiple rooms, or ceremonies occurring at the same time, then the funeral gathering must not exceed 80% capacity of the room in which it is being held.
- Funerals, memorial services, and celebration-of-life ceremonies are allowed at a house of worship. Volume is limited to 80% of standard capacity.
- Auxiliary staff or officiants, including pall bearers, clergy, funeral director, honor guards, bagpiper, bugler, and organist, are included in the capacity limit. Individuals from out of state can attend the funeral and must comply with Rhode Island’s guidance for residents and visitors.
- Beginning May 28, the following additional flexibilities will be allowed for funerals and end-of-life ceremonies taking place in a house of worship:
- Capacity limits will increase to 100%.
- The spacing requirement between members of different households will be three feet indoors (there will be no spacing requirement outdoors).
- A physical distance of three feet must be maintained between people who are not from the same household. Everyone must wear a mask when they are indoors and when they are within three feet from others outdoors.
- Graveside/Outdoor: No limit.
- A physical distance of three feet must be maintained between people who are not from the same household. Everyone must wear a mask when they are within three feet from others in outdoor settings.
Anyone who is sick or has symptoms of COVID-19, or a recent exposure, should not attend any group service .
-taken from the RIDOH statement to the RI Funeral Homes with minor modifications for readability.
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