September 2020

Page A4 SEPTEMBER 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A By Nancy Weil My friend Jeff called to let me know that his mom had passed away. She had been living in her own home by herself, but one night took a tumble and had to be hospitalized for her injuries. It was at the hospital that she contracted the coronavirus. For a time, they thought she was going to make it through and get bet- ter, but sadly the virus began to invade her internal or- gans and cause them to stop functioning. Slowly she began to slip away. It was on a Friday morning that he received the call from one of the nurses. She invited him to come to the hospital to say “good-bye” to his mom, but added that when he left from that visit he would not be permitted to come again. Due to the pandemic, his brother and other family members were not able to travel to town to visit her. So, it was just Jeff and his wife who entered her room and began to make the video calls that allowed each family member to share a few final precious moments with this special lady. For hours Jeff and his wife re- mained by her side. There was no way to know how much she was aware of what was happening around her, but at least she was surrounded by the love of a family who honored how much she meant to them and how deeply she would be missed. Finally, the time came when he had to leave and head for home. I can only imagine what emotions were going Random Musings through him as he walked through that doorway know- ing that this was the last time he would see his mother alive. My heart continues to ache thinking of that mo- ment in my dear friend’s life. It was on Sunday that the expected call came. His mom had passed away peacefully and, he now believed, was at last reunited with his dad. The funeral director was called, the priest notified and arrangements were made. It was on a Tuesday morning that they gathered for her service. Present were the funeral director, the priest and Jeff and his wife. No other family members could make it in. No visitation was scheduled. No final mass at the church was held. Just a small gathering where prayers were said and tears were shed. This story has played out many times in various forms dur- ing this pandemic. Families unable to stay by the bedside of their loved ones. Communities unable to gather to support the bereaved. Rituals of faith abbreviated, if held at all. While many have served families who tell a similar tale, there is one key difference in this one. Jeff is the president of a cemetery. His entire career has been dedicated to taking care of people when placing their loved ones into their final resting place. During the pandemic, he has had to accommodate new safe- ty regulations while balancing the needs of the bereaved. He never expected that he would become one of them. A man who has so much compassion for the people he serves now has a different perspective on how this coro- navirus has impacted our ritu- als around death. This time it was his own mother that came to his cemetery’s gates. This time it was his ceme- tery “family” that surround- ed and comforted him. This time it was personal. My Friend Jeff Serving as Member Resources Director at the International Order of the Golden Rule, Nancy Weil brings her years of experience work- ing in the funeral industry to funeral directors across the globe. Her professional experience includes serving as Director of Grief Support and Community Outreach at Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, FL and at eleven cemeteries in Western New York. Nancy travels throughout the country offering presentations on how to reduce stress, combat compassion fatigue and offer support for those who are grieving through her company, The Laugh Academy. With certifications as a Grief Services Provider and Grief Manage- ment Specialist, Funeral Celebrant, Soul Injury Ambassador and Laughter Leader, Nancy is uniquely qualified to bring new perspec- tives into how to best meet the needs of the families you serve. For more information on how Nancy can help you and your company grow, visit her website: www.TheLaughAcademy.com or e-mail Nancy@TheLaughAcademy.com. FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.nomispublications.com Monthly Columns online at to limit the amount of people gathering in one place. The increase in funerals, graveside services and memori- al services across the country have caused funeral homes to utilize creativity.  Pollard Funeral Home is no exception. Owner, Charles Pollard II and Marcus Carruthers, were de- termined not to panic, but to provide practical solu- tions for the current condition. With the simple use of technology and media they were able to extend their of- ferings and provide customer services like never before.  While limited in the amount of people that can attend a service in person, they found ways to utilize technol- ogy to serve their families and friends.  “I want to encourage you not to use technology be- cause it is cool, but to use technology with a purpose. Ask yourself, is the technology helping your funeral home meet a true need? Is it helping you provide a bet- ter service?” says Marcus. He advises you to focus on what really matters most, the families that you serve. Utilizing new technology that the industry has to of- fer allows funeral professionals to spend more time and money where it matters: with families.  Internet availability and programs like Facebook and YouTube allows firms to provide World-Class Service. One candle that gives light to another candle never loses light; it creates more light.  Family owned and operated for over 43 years, the mot- to at Pollard’s is to provide “Service with Reverence and Dignity.” Established in Guthrie, OK in 1978, Pollard opened a second location in Oklahoma City in 1983. Mr. Carruthers welcomes inquiries from the industry for help or suggestions on adding technology to your firm’s services. For more information about the funeral home, visit www.PollardFuneralHome.net. Pollard Funeral Home utilizes Technology during COVID-19 OKLAHOMA CITY,OK— Due to COVID-19 our world will never be the same. With restrictions, mandates and new laws, businesses, including funeral homes, have had