Funerals Under Covid 19 Restrictions
We are living with Government restrictions either being relaxed or changed daily and we will try and keep our information as up to date as possible.
As of 11:59 pm on 13th April 2022, the whole of New Zealand is now at the ORANGE setting of the Covid Protection Framework.
For your safety and ours, all of our staff are fully vaccinated.
Under the Orange setting of the Covid Protection Framework, there are no gathering limits for funerals. Wearing masks at a funeral is highly recommended but is not mandatory. However, all of our staff will be required to wear a mask for both your safety and ours.
For more information on funerals under this setting please do not hesitate to contact your funeral director.
These are still challenging times for family and friends. If you ever feel that you are not coping it is important to talk to a health professional.
For support, you can call or text, 1737. It is free, anytime, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, to talk with a trained counsellor.
Our staff at Waikanae Funeral Home recognise that the death of a loved one is difficult at the best of times. We know the value of a funeral and deeply understand that any restrictions can be very distressing, we will work with you to provide the best possible farewell for your loved one.
https://covid19.govt.nz/help-and-advice/for-everyone/funerals-and-tangi/
Burials and Cremations
Covid Protection Framework
Under the new Covid Protection Framework, burials and cremations can take place at all settings.
For any further information or specific questions please do not hesitate to contact your funeral director.
Memorial Services
There is enormous value for families and friends in holding a memorial service. If someone you love dies while we are under any setting or alert level, we strongly encourage you to consider planning for a delayed memorial service. This means that although the burial or cremation will take place now, we can work with you to plan the memorial service for later. We will do everything we usually do in guiding you through your options and, when we are able to set a date, will ensure you can have the opportunity to remember and mourn appropriately.
Our process during a Covid19 outbreak
(These requirements are set in place by the NZ Government and The Ministry of Health)
We take the health and wellbeing of our staff and client families very seriously. With the current settings in place to reduce the spread of Covid19, below are the measures we are implementing to support our staff and the community.
Transfer Arrangements
When someone dies and you make that first call to us, in addition to our usual questions we will likely ask if the cause of death is known to reduce any risk of infection. Where possible, prior to our arrival, we encourage those present to say their goodbyes as we will require the room/facility to be vacated when we transfer your loved one into our care. This is for our safety and yours.
Our staff will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will observe physical distancing. Additional safety measures may also be taken if an infection is suspected. Again, these measures are for the protection of all involved and a Ministry of Health transfer requirement.
Burial or Cremation Arrangements
Arrangements can be made at our funeral home or at your home, whichever is more comfortable and convenient for you. We recommend wearing a mask when visiting the funeral home. We can conduct arrangements remotely using technology (phone, email, facetime, Skype etc) whenever necessary if that works better for you and the family.
We will work with you to make this time as easy as possible given any restrictions in place at any time.
Viewing
Viewings can take place under the new Covid Protection Framework. Please contact your funeral director for specific information regarding the current setting.
While we want entry to our Funeral Home to be a free and friendly place, hand sanitising and mask-wearing is something that we would highly recommend when Covid is prevalent in the community.
Questions
We are committed to providing our families with outstanding service in the weeks and months ahead.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how the situation might affect your specific circumstances, please contact our office on 04 2936844 so we can assist further.
Please take care and be kind to each other.
If you or your family have immediate concerns relating to Covid19, please call the dedicated Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or visit the Ministry website here
