Attending funeral during lockdown

Barney224

One of my best friend's dad just passed away last night. He was neighbour and very close to my own family as well. Obviously, during normal circumstances, I would attend mass and funeral and be there to support my friend. He lost his mum last year, so this is a very sad time for him and his family.

I now live over 2 hours drive from him and wondering if I did want to attend, in some capacity, would this be deemed as non-essential travel? Obviously I will abide by the latest rules and guidelines, but I wasn't sure what the protocol is anymore regarding funerals.

salmocab

Barney224 wrote: »

One of my best friend's dad just passed away last night. He was neighbour and very close to my own family as well. Obviously, during normal circumstances, I would attend mass and funeral and be there to support my friend. He lost his mum last year, so this is a very sad time for him and his family.

I now live over 2 hours drive from him and wondering if I did want to attend, in some capacity, would this be deemed as non-essential travel? Obviously I will abide by the latest rules and guidelines, but I wasn't sure what the protocol is anymore regarding funerals.

Yes it’s very much non essential, numbers are limited at funerals anyway at the moment.

marco_polo

https://whatsnew.citizensinformation.ie/2020/04/03/know-your-rights-covid-19-and-funerals/

Sympathies to your friend. Unfortunately at present funerals are limited to close family only so it will not be possible under the current restrictions for you to attend.

mirrorwall14

Barney224 wrote: »

One of my best friend's dad just passed away last night. He was neighbour and very close to my own family as well. Obviously, during normal circumstances, I would attend mass and funeral and be there to support my friend. He lost his mum last year, so this is a very sad time for him and his family.

I now live over 2 hours drive from him and wondering if I did want to attend, in some capacity, would this be deemed as non-essential travel? Obviously I will abide by the latest rules and guidelines, but I wasn't sure what the protocol is anymore regarding funerals.

Unfortunately from what I’ve experienced 10 is the max at a funeral. Even spouses of sons/daughters aren’t getting to attend.

Can someone attending do a Facebook live stream or something similar to allow those who cannot attend to watch?

Or depending on the church they may have a webcam

Barney224

Thanks for the responses. I'll check to see if any live streams are available, but it's really sad for me not to attend and be there for him.

sydthebeat

Barney224 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. I'll check to see if any live streams are available, but it's really sad for me not to attend and be there for him.

I feel your pain, I've had to miss a friend's parents funeral because of these restrictions as well, but needs must

salmocab

Barney224 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. I'll check to see if any live streams are available, but it's really sad for me not to attend and be there for him.

It’s very tough, I know a few people in similar situations with people closer.
My father in law passed last month and the crematorium streamed it.

beertons

I've paid my respects to 2 funerals the past 3 weeks. We lined the road from a house to the graveyard, that was very nice. And the other one was similar, but in the county side, stood outside my parents house whilst the hearse drove by.

degrassinoel

if you're local to him (2km or thereabouts) you could do what I've done with a few neighbours here, find out what time the hearse is passing by the house and line up with others outside, everyone claps when when the hearse passes by, sounds weird, but it's the only way you can really send them off without physical contact and keep social distancing.

If you're unsure, ring your local garda station tell them what you're saying here, and say you want to attend the cortege and return immediately afterwards, they might say no, but they may also say yes on compassionate grounds, if so, take the gard's badge number or name so you can cover yourself if or rather when you're stopped.

moonshadow

We buried my father in law last Thursday , not even his brothers attended the Funeral as we had nine in the church including the priest. His other son in law and grandkids didn't travel the 2 hours to the house and watched on webcam.
Very sad and distressing.

Barney224

moonshadow wrote: »

We buried my father in law last Thursday , not even his brothers attended the Funeral as we had nine in the church including the priest. His other son in law and grandkids didn't travel the 2 hours to the house and watched on webcam.
Very sad and distressing.

That is awful! I know a lot of my friend's cousins from UK should also be attending as they were all very close, but this obviously not going to happen either. It's all very surreal and it just adds to the grief that people are going through. They can't even hug people in their own family at a time when that's all they need.

costacorta

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Unfortunately from what I’ve experienced 10 is the max at a funeral. Even spouses of sons/daughters aren’t getting to attend.

Can someone attending do a Facebook live stream or something similar to allow those who cannot attend to watch?

Or depending on the church they may have a webcam

I seen more than 10 even 100 at a funeral in Birr last week but some people are above the law I guess !!

MintyMagnum

Give it 14 days & see how it works out for all at Birr

HildaOgdenx

OP, I'm sorry to hear about your friend's dad. As has been said, there is a limit of ten now for funerals. I cannot even imagine how difficult it is for those who are bereaved. On top of their loss, they don't have the opportunity to have the support of wider family and friends.

As others have suggested, in some cases, funeral masses are being streamed, so that might be worth checking.
I'm sure you have been in touch with your friend already. Keep in touch with him, and just generally support him, from afar.

In some cases, families are planning to have a memorial masss in due course, so that will be a chance for people to remember those who are gone, and have family and friends around them.

To others on the thread who have lost family members at this awful time, my sincere sympathy.