Loss of loved one made harder with restrictions on funerals amid coronavirus outbreak

BOSTON — For people who’ve lost a loved one, that loss is now even harder as new restrictions are impacting funeral plans amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Boston 25 reached out to several families who are dealing with this. None wanted to talk but many say despite the stringent rules, they do understand, with some opting for a celebration of life at a later date.

Everyday life and now even death is impacted by the coronavirus.

The loss of a loved one is never easy but with stringent rules for gathering, even funerals are impacted.

One obituary says it all:

”In light of the current precautions with the coronavirus, the funeral Mass will be strictly private and for immediate family members only."

Richard Lomba, funeral director of Sullivan Funeral Homes, tried to explain the situation.

“This is what we can do right now. This is what we can offer. Later on you can do more of a celebration,” Lomba said.

His funeral home is following federal guidelines for a maximum of 10 people at a wake at any one time.

“Basically, you know, we keep a count of people coming in and until those people go out and go to their vehicles, we can’t let anybody else in,” Lomba said.

Those restrictions also come from the Archdiocese of Boston, as another obituary explained that the funeral Mass will be open to family members only.

And funeral homes across the state are all trying to grapple with the changes. A Medfield funeral home understands that this is an added burden and offered suggestions on their website:

“We are encouraging our bereaved families to create meaningful services that fall within the governor’s emergency order of limiting large public gatherings,” the post read.

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