When we say essential frontline workers we think of doctors and nurses, delivery workers, and all of the industries and people providing us with the resources we need to stay alive. But as the United States surpasses 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, another industry has been witness to the devastating toll of the pandemic. Funeral homes have always been the last responders, serving families during some of their darkest moments. Now with an increased workload, a lack of resources and space, and ever-changing regulations, funeral directors are having to adapt to the unique needs of the profession, while worrying for their own safety.
“We are the ‘forgotten’ last responders, while the government focuses on getting PPE to health-care workers in hospitals and we that handle the deceased with the same virus are overlooked. This is a family-owned and -operated facility. We as a family are all on the front line. From the removal from the place of death to directing the service and everything in between, it’s being done by a family member.
