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Coronavirus: Six challenging months for undertakers | Coronavirus: Six challenging months for undertakers |
(8 days later) | |
"We've had to deal with a very real problem that was right in front of our faces." | "We've had to deal with a very real problem that was right in front of our faces." |
It's been six months since the UK started putting restrictions in place to limit the spread of coronavirus. | It's been six months since the UK started putting restrictions in place to limit the spread of coronavirus. |
For undertakers like Colum O'Shea, it's been a challenging time as the pandemic has caused extra pressure. | For undertakers like Colum O'Shea, it's been a challenging time as the pandemic has caused extra pressure. |
"We've had no choice, because we can't just close and have a think for a few months," the 28-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. | "We've had no choice, because we can't just close and have a think for a few months," the 28-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. |
Co-op revealed a 22% rise in its funerals for the first six months of the year, compared with the same period last year. | Co-op revealed a 22% rise in its funerals for the first six months of the year, compared with the same period last year. |
Like the rest of us, funeral directors have also had to limit human contact. | Like the rest of us, funeral directors have also had to limit human contact. |
"Normally we would sit around a desk in my office or go and see the family at home - that's all had to stop." | "Normally we would sit around a desk in my office or go and see the family at home - that's all had to stop." |
"In some ways, it's become more desensitised," Colum, who is a funeral director at A.W. Lymn in Nottinghamshire, adds. | |
"The biggest challenge has been trying to reassure and support families." | "The biggest challenge has been trying to reassure and support families." |
Restrictions have made that harder because Colum has "lost the ability" to look families in the eyes. | Restrictions have made that harder because Colum has "lost the ability" to look families in the eyes. |
"A lot of what we try to achieve is empathy." | "A lot of what we try to achieve is empathy." |
"Normally, on the day of a funeral, we're very reassuring. Shaking people by the hand, giving them a touch on the elbow or the shoulder." | "Normally, on the day of a funeral, we're very reassuring. Shaking people by the hand, giving them a touch on the elbow or the shoulder." |
'A profession that now says no' | 'A profession that now says no' |
Colum says the funeral industry prides itself on providing families with whatever they need. | Colum says the funeral industry prides itself on providing families with whatever they need. |
But the last six months have meant "we've become the profession that says no". | But the last six months have meant "we've become the profession that says no". |
"We haven't provided private room viewings or limousines that would follow the hearse." | "We haven't provided private room viewings or limousines that would follow the hearse." |
It's been "awful" for Colum having to tell family members they aren't allowed to invite as many people as they would like. | It's been "awful" for Colum having to tell family members they aren't allowed to invite as many people as they would like. |
The Smallman family know exactly how that feels. | The Smallman family know exactly how that feels. |
They wanted a huge funeral to celebrate the life of Holly, 18, who was born with a series of serious medical problems that left her unable to see or speak. | They wanted a huge funeral to celebrate the life of Holly, 18, who was born with a series of serious medical problems that left her unable to see or speak. |
Her funeral is one of thousands that were still allowed to go ahead, but only with immediate or close family attending, and following social distancing rules. | Her funeral is one of thousands that were still allowed to go ahead, but only with immediate or close family attending, and following social distancing rules. |
Colum adds: "I know from personal experience, friends of mine that have sadly passed away during this time, how difficult it is knowing that I can't attend the funeral service." | Colum adds: "I know from personal experience, friends of mine that have sadly passed away during this time, how difficult it is knowing that I can't attend the funeral service." |
For Meera Bhanot, it's been an "emotionally charged and hectic" period. | For Meera Bhanot, it's been an "emotionally charged and hectic" period. |
She is a funeral director assisting families from an Indo-Asian background and with BAME groups at greater risk of death from Covid-19, Meera, 35, has been busier than ever. | She is a funeral director assisting families from an Indo-Asian background and with BAME groups at greater risk of death from Covid-19, Meera, 35, has been busier than ever. |
"Traditionally there's services held at home where there'd be an open coffin viewing at home, with rituals such as washing the deceased, dressing them and preparing them for their funeral." | "Traditionally there's services held at home where there'd be an open coffin viewing at home, with rituals such as washing the deceased, dressing them and preparing them for their funeral." |
"But that's not possible. So we're on the front line, having to tell people 'no', and effectively police this." | "But that's not possible. So we're on the front line, having to tell people 'no', and effectively police this." |
The difficulties hit home on a personal level for Meera - she lost both of her grandparents during the pandemic. | The difficulties hit home on a personal level for Meera - she lost both of her grandparents during the pandemic. |
Having to plan the arrangements for their funeral took "an emotional toll", especially as it "was a shadow of what it should have been". | Having to plan the arrangements for their funeral took "an emotional toll", especially as it "was a shadow of what it should have been". |
"I was having to deal with family members saying I should be able to change things for us so we could follow our rituals and traditions." | "I was having to deal with family members saying I should be able to change things for us so we could follow our rituals and traditions." |
"But you can't, because the rules are for everyone and you need to stick to them." | "But you can't, because the rules are for everyone and you need to stick to them." |
Rules in England now say family and friends up to 30 people can attend funerals, as long as social distancing is observed and face coverings are worn. | Rules in England now say family and friends up to 30 people can attend funerals, as long as social distancing is observed and face coverings are worn. |
Both Meera and Colum say they are proud of how the funeral industry has responded to the crisis. | Both Meera and Colum say they are proud of how the funeral industry has responded to the crisis. |
"My colleagues around the country have done a wonderful job guiding people who are uncertain," Meera says. | "My colleagues around the country have done a wonderful job guiding people who are uncertain," Meera says. |
"It has been stressful. There's been a lot of late nights and early mornings," Colum adds. | "It has been stressful. There's been a lot of late nights and early mornings," Colum adds. |
So what about the next six months? | So what about the next six months? |
Both Colum and Meera feel the streaming of funerals could become more common. | Both Colum and Meera feel the streaming of funerals could become more common. |
Meera thinks given the current situation it's a good thing calling it "a godsend" for family members who couldn't attend her grandparents funeral. | Meera thinks given the current situation it's a good thing calling it "a godsend" for family members who couldn't attend her grandparents funeral. |
"It's actually one of the few positives from the last six months, as it allows people to be in touch regardless of how far away you are," she adds. | "It's actually one of the few positives from the last six months, as it allows people to be in touch regardless of how far away you are," she adds. |
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |
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