COLUMBUS — The Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA) remains committed to providing our membership with resources that ensure the health and well-being of funeral professionals, as well as the families they compassionately serve.

A safe environment to work and gather in is vital to limiting the spread of COVID-19 among staff and the public.

As of March 19, 2020, the recommendation of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Trump Administration is to keep gatherings to less than 10 persons. Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Amy Acton, has prohibited mass gatherings over 50, while exempting funeral services. Although Governor DeWine offers the exemption to funeral service, he fervently recommends we hold small private memorials.

“Everyone is in this fight, but we don’t need to go into the battlefield, we simply need to stay home,” said Governor DeWine. “Social distancing is so critical, and many Ohioans are starting to understand its importance, but there are still some who don’t yet get it. This is a crisis that we have never seen in our lifetime, and everyone must recognize that their actions could have deadly consequences.”

At the plea of many OFDA members for guidance, our Board of Directors met via conference on March 19th and unanimously approved the following best practice procedures:

  • When possible, at-need and preneed arrangement conferences should be made via telephone calls, FaceTime, video conference and/or other electronic means including emailed documents
  • Funeral homes should continue to meet in person with families that do not have means of telecommunications or electronic communications, limiting the conference to two people
  • Social distancing of six-feet separation from funeral home staff and family should be observed
  • Conduct private funeral services with 50 or less persons
  • Omit public calling hours
  • Host larger memorial gatherings at a later date
  • When possible, offer to record and/or live stream events (music and web casting license available to all funeral homes regardless of membership status through NFDA)
  • Post tribute videos to funeral home website to virtually share memories
  • Post signs at entrances listing virus symptoms and request those feeling the effects to pay their respects in an alternate manner (i.e. email, written note, phone call to family)
  • Encourage online condolences via the funeral home web site
  • Post signs near entrance encouraging social distancing and viral control etiquette (i.e. no hugging, kissing or shaking of hands; creating personal space of 6’; cough into crook of elbow)
  • Separate chapel chairs for the safety of each attendee
  • In lieu of a register book, provide attendees individual memorial note cards with a funeral home pen they can retain; or have funeral home staff attend the register book and sign for each guest
  • Temporarily cease catering, food, drinks and receptions. If applicable, remove candy or novelty gift to keep hands from gravitating to a central dish
  • Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize

OFDA is actively involved in State of Ohio Emergency Operations Planning efforts and are well aware of the potential devastating impact this virus can have. Ohio has less than 2,800 licensed funeral director/embalmers to care for the deceased and if our network of licensees is compromised by COVID19, the work force will be faced with overwhelming challenges. We care about your health and implore you to exercise aggressive measures in funeral home business practices to limit your exposure.

The OFDA Board of Directors understands the challenges these adjustments present and ultimately, the practices you implement to protect your staff and families is a business decision that only you can make. Together we can and will thrive!