Illinois

Funeral Directors Recommend Only Small Graveside Services For Now

WCBU | By Tim Shelley

Published March 19, 2020 at 9:17 AM CDT

Gabriella, surname not given, lights a candle at the San Simpliciano church, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, March 15, 2020 .

The Illinois Funeral Directors Association says services should be limited to 10 or fewer people for the time being.

Greg Henderson, the association's president, said that's to comply with current Centers for Disease Control coronavirus guidelines on large public gatherings.

"Funeral directors across the area will work with families to try to accomodate their needs. We recommend embalming when they want to have a viewing, such as before cremation," he said.

Henderson recommends small, private graveside services for now. He said larger memorial masses or services can be held once the coronavirus has passed and things return to a state of normalcy.

Henderson also met with OSF HealthCare officials and coroners from Peoria, Rock Island, Fulton, Tazewell, Stark, and Warren counties to map out COVID-19 fatality plans.

So far, the only COVID-19 related death reported in Illinois is a Chicago woman in her 60s.

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