Have funeral restrictions permanently changed the way we mourn?

Some funeral directors predict COVID-19 could create lasting changes for Tasmanians’ grieving as restrictions begin lifting today.

SOME funeral directors predict COVID-19 could create lasting changes for grieving Tasmanians as restrictions begin lifting today.

Graham Family Funerals director Paul Graham said the industry adapted when Tasmanian funeral gatherings were restricted to ten people.

“We (were) limiting contact, using facetime and chat rooms to make arrangements without having people come in face-to-face to help them understand what a funeral would look like,” he said.

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He said extra thought had gone into making the experience more meaningful for those unable to attend, with some split group services and creative practices used.

Premier Peter Gutwein’s gradual restriction removals began today, including increasing funeral attendance numbers from ten to 20.

Mr Graham said the decision was a welcome change for distressed families.

“It gives the families that little bit more support,” he said.

Graham Family Funerals director and Australian Funeral Directors Association Tasmania president Paul Graham. SOURCE: PAUL GRAHAM.

“This allows for a partner and siblings and family to congregate, but at ten that certainly wasn’t the case.”

Charles Sturt University researcher and West Coast Funerals manager Dr Jennifer Watkins

said although funeral rituals were already becoming secular and individualistic, but she had never witnessed a shift this dramatic.

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She said creative and positive funeral trends were emerging which could continue beyond COVID-19, including driving processions past mourners homes.

“We used to have 100 or 200 people attend,” she said.

“Some of those gatherings were very impersonal.

“Now in these very small groups there’s certainly a great feeling of warmth and intimacy, particularly for people having it in their own homes.”

The researcher said more families were holding funerals in their gardens for a serene atmosphere and a spiritual connection to nature.