How Coronavirus Changed the Funeral Traditions in the Philippines

Posted on: Apr 5, 2020 Publish By: funerallink

The coronavirus pandemic has shaken up the world. From businesses closing to the economy going down, up to the people panicking everywhere, crisis indeed brings out the best and the worst in people. One significant change that coronavirus brought to this world is how families say goodbye to the unfortunate individuals infected by the virus.

In the Philippines, traditions have paved the way for holding a funeral before a beloved deceased is sent off for a final farewell. However, following the Department of Health’s instructions, such commemoration is disallowed. This is due to the possible deadly transmission of the coronavirus from the deceased’s body to the remaining family members and friends.

We at Funeralink took the time and opportunity to ask some funeral insiders on how this pandemic changed the well-practiced funeral traditions in the Philippines. Here are the questions we asked, and listed below are their tragic answers.

What Changes Have You Noted During This Pandemic that Affected Your Industry?

Along with the directive from the Department of Health, most families follow the preferred cremation choice. There are no wakes, no extended viewing times, and no time for mourning before they bid final goodbyes.

“Imagine how hard it would be to have a family member bid you farewell as a precaution because of underlying symptoms, and when the results come, they were identified as positive. Then, you won’t be able to visit them, comfort them in time of pain, and the next thing you know, they are already gone.” The funeral insider added, “We are at risk as well due to the virus, but it’s heartbreaking to have family members break down and cry outside our facilities, and there’s nothing we can do but obey protocols.”

Coronavirus

What Measures Are You Implementing to Ensure Employees’ Safety?

A funeral insider assures the public that employees handling the deceased body strictly adheres to the guidelines set by the Department of Health. Moreover, they are provided with refresher training on proper handling, proper protocols, and the legal basis for such measures.

They are given masks, face shields, bodysuits, proper hand-washing areas, and their physical well-being are monitored. We wouldn’t want our personnel to be at risk of the virus, and this is the reason why we follow strict protocols.

Does this Pandemic Threaten to Change Filipino’s Ways of Funerals?

Although this tragic event tried and tested our capabilities as a facility, we know that Filipinos can surpass such challenges. The funeral tradition is unlikely to be lost because of this shift. Filipinos see the value of commemorating their loved ones, and they know how important it is to remember a departed one.

“I doubt that such an unorthodox method will be the mainstay option for Filipino families. We saw how some of these unfortunate families wept, and we know how critical a funeral is for their grief and acceptance,” a funeral insider proclaimed.

We encourage everyone, especially at this time of crisis, to follow authorities and stay at home to flatten the curve. In this time of the pandemic, grief and death come in a sudden jolt that leaves families heartbroken.

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