Barrie funeral home director mourns loss of personal touch during COVID-19 outbreak

Doug Adams doesn't believe funeral homes will go back to way things used to be

Doug Adams has been in the funeral business since 1985 and regulators have required funeral homes to have a pandemic plan in place.

“We have always been prepared in case but I never thought we would have to live through one like this.”

Adams is funeral director and owner of Adams Funeral Home.

He is uncomfortable with the suggestion that he is a frontline worker, yet families grieving the loss of a loved one often find solace in the way they are treated by staff at a funeral home while making preparations.

Funeral homes have had to change the way they do business in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak to keep customers and staff safe.

As part of the Ontario government’s state of emergency, funerals are allowed but with no more than 10 people and that includes whoever is officiating.

“First of all, the whole purpose of a funeral or visitation is to come and support the family and express their condolence,” said Adams. “Families aren’t able to experience that. They comment to me that they can’t even shake a hand or get a hug or see someone person.”

When making funeral arrangements, Adams will only meet with two family members. They sit in a large office with plexiglass between them. Rather than getting documents from the family by hand, they slide them underneath the glass and staff then point to where things need to be signed.

“It is kind of impersonal and cold,” said Adams. “You feel like your not providing that support and compassion for the family. You can’t even shake their hand. At the door when the family is leaving and they say thank you, the habit is to extend a hand.”

Staff do not wear masks while at work. Adams stringently keeps the six feet physical distancing and he feels the plexiglass keeps them protected. He said he doesn’t want it any more impersonal and cold by wearing a mask.

Nothing has changed much in terms of the selection room. Adams said staff maintain physical distancing and the building and areas are are large enough to maintain that for everybody to feel comfortable.

As of Monday, funeral staff no longer have to go into a hospital or a long-term care facility when a death occurs.

“The funeral home will attend,” said Adams. “But we turn over the gurney to facility staff who will take the gurney to pick up the deceased and return the gurney outside of the facilities.”

Prior to the new procedure, funeral home workers entered a hospital and long-term care facility in protective gear. If they are called out by the coroner, Adams said they are gowned head to toe.

The number of funerals has decreased significantly. Adams said people are asking to hold off until the restrictions can be lifted and there can be a public gathering. After a service at the funeral home, the traditional reception no longer takes place.

“I don’t see us going back to where we once were. Many new procedures have been put into place just in case. I think COVID-19 is here for a long time. This was a general wake-up call to change practices.”

The funeral home has not had any layoffs but part time staff have had their hours really cut back.

Adams said he and his staff are taking precautions ever time they turn around.

“Nobody wants to take this back to their families.”

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