Options for burials available

An increasing number of people in Barbados are opting to cremate their loved ones in light of the present COVID-19 pandemic which has so far taken the lives of five individuals here.

The revelation came this afternoon from president of the Barbados Association of Funeral Directors Ian Griffith.

“Most families right now, even with non COVID-19 cases are opting for cremation so that they can have a memorial service and the burial of the ashes at a later date, in a post-COVID climate…and you can see that in the funerals that are being conducted these days,” Griffith disclosed.

He told Barbados TODAY that while it is not mandatory right now for families to have their loved ones cremated, health officials and funeral directors are recommending cremation.

“As it is right now, the consensus is to have the bodies cremated. It is a matter of choice. There are some persons who for religious reasons might not want to choose cremation.  The consensus right now between the funeral homes and the medical fraternity is that these bodies will most likely be cremated,” the funeral directors’ spokesman stated.

“You can’t force people on a matter of disposal of remains, but once the funeral homes speak to families with regard to the method of disposal, I think that under the conditions with which we are faced, most families would understand and opt for cremation,” Griffith added.

He stressed that cremation is not being mandated by either by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) or the World Health Organization (WHO). Both organisations have said it is optional.

Griffith also revealed that new administrative procedures are expected to be in place by next week for funeral homes to deal with those dying from the virus.

He said while the procedures may not be significantly different from what are used in normal circumstances, some funeral directors have been expressing concern that much is still not known about the coronavirus.

“So far with the cases that we have had, some funeral homes have had questions in terms of the actual administrative procedures. As you would appreciate, the fact that it is something unknown, there is a little fear factor on how we go about things,”  he said.

He continued: “The Ministry of Health is working on that and I think that should be ironed out by next week.”

Regarding public viewing, Griffith explained that this is a matter of choice and not a legal prohibition. However, the funeral directors’ association head noted that the CDC has recommended that no one must be allowed to touch the body or kiss the coffin as happened in Barbados prior to COVID.

He also explained that physical distancing which is being promoted by health authorities is required during public viewing where a maximum of ten people are allowed to be present.

Griffith said there are about 32 funeral homes in Barbados but an estimated 52 places that provide similar services. He explained that a funeral home comprises a building with the requisite equipment and personnel for preparing the body, but places which provide the service do so through the funeral homes.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb