As the number of COVID-19 cases climbs in Georgia, those in the funeral business are responding to social distancing rules while trying to preserve the intimacy of funeral services.
Families are planning smaller ceremonies, public viewings are not an option, and funerals are limited to graveside services. Some funeral home managers are exploring new technologies, such as Facebook Live to stream videos of services. Others are recording services and sharing them on social media.
The handling of bodies has also become a concern for funeral directors, particularly during embalmings, a procedure in which being splashed with fluids is a risk.
Madeline Laguaite, a graduate student in the health and medical journalism program, who wrote about the impact of COVID-19 on the funeral business in a recent post for Georgia Health News. Click here to read her full post.