As the new coronavirus strain COVID-19 travels around the globe, it’s not always easy to know what to do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. In many areas of the U.S., public gatherings have been banned or discouraged. We're practicing social distancing and staying home as much as possible. 

Meanwhile, life goes on — and life includes all the everyday deaths that happen from all the regular everyday causes. But now, everyday deaths raise the question: What do current health precautions during the coronavirus epidemic, such as limiting or restricting large public gatherings, mean for holding a funeral? Embalming and open casket viewing is still an option and encouraged. Limiting time and numbers of people gathering according to current CDC and state guidelines will be followed. Be smart, be safe.

One option available to families is streaming live video of the funeral online. This is a flexible solution that allows  the closest immediate family members at the funeral service in person at the funeral home,  while other people participate from home.  

The Boyd Funeral Home uses FuneralVue, a company that provides the technology for streaming funeral services here at the funeral home only. We are offering this service, free-of-charge, for all families currently, with their written permission. This will surely be increasingly useful now for anyone who can’t get to a funeral because they are quarantined, are uncomfortable with traveling long distance, or any other reason. The video of the service is not open to the public on the internet or Facebook, but rather an email invitation is sent to those requesting to attend virtually.

We must be able to grieve and mourn and support each other even though we’re not in the same place at the same time. We will continue to be a place of support for our families and community during these uncertain times.