Social Distancing funeral
In the age of social distancing, many people are trying to find ways to carry out traditional activities while maintaining the recommended six foot distance. Some activities moved outside, while others have been scaled back to a fraction of the normal participation. People have to get creative.
The CDC has made recommendations for Social Distancing – most people are familiar with them now. Gatherings still have to be less than ten people at once. Everyone should try to stay six feet apart from others and wear a cloth facemask when around other people that are not in your immediate household.
This makes me think, how can a family “socially distance” for a funeral? A traditional funeral is held indoors, often with mourners packed together in a tight space. This situation does not allow for social distancing. I suppose it could be moved outdoors, keeping groups together only with their immediate households. The guests could all wear masks and remain six feet apart.
I am the owner and pilot for A Journey With Wings. We scatter cremated remains by airplane. Our Witnessed Scattering service may be a perfect solution for a social distance funeral.
The Witnessed Scattering is done by airplane while the family is on the ground watching the release of the cremated remains. Often the family is on the shore for a sea scattering or on a trail if the scattering is done over a National Park or State Park. This setting makes a social distanced funeral possible. Being outdoors is ideal as there is less likelihood of transmission compared to an enclosed space. The large open spaces allow more room for families to spread out and be at least six feet away from each other at all times. Being outside also allows mourners to get out for some fresh air and vitamin D, which is known to boost the immune system.
As life starts to get back to normal, we can take a step back and find ways to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, as well as remember those we have lost.
For more information about our Witnessed Scattering service and the other services we offer, please go to our website: www.aJourneyWithWings.com