While many things are changing and evolving during this pandemic, our commitment to the community we serve is unwavering. Following state guidelines, we have adapted to how we assist you, but are still keeping the dignity of your loved one at the forefront of our practices. Read on to see how we can best serve you and your family during this time.

We are still providing funeral services for your family member, but there are some changes in how we go about doing so. Public services are suspended. Funeral services are limited to 10 or less people, and the attendees must be immediate family. We urge those not feeling well, those who are in high risk groups, and those who have been exposed to COVID-19 to consider staying home. Also, when attending the service, it is important to refrain from physical interactions (hugging, handshakes, etc.) with people who are not in your immediate family.

With these fast-developing changes, creative ideas to safely celebrate the life of your family member have also been developing. Technology is broadening the options to celebrate your loved one’s life. Although, as previously mentioned, attendance to a funeral service is now limited, you can still welcome others to view the service. Through media such as Zoom and Facebook Live you can live stream the ceremony to those unable to attend. Viewers can add their condolences in the comments below the video. A link to their obituary can also be posted as well. 

Other innovative ways to celebrate a life well lived during this uncertain time have included a drive-through visitation, where friends and family of the deceased can drive by and offer their condolences from the car, while the immediate family sits comfortably nearby, still observing social distancing measures. You can have family and friends line the procession route from the funeral home to the cemetery so that they may help ensure a proper send off. They can also wait in their cars at the cemetery to view the burial and offer support. While the seats may be mostly empty, some funeral homes are tying white balloons to chairs to show support from families, a funeral home in Kentucky as well as Maine has started doing this. Mourners can also send in messages of encouragement that can be tied to the end of the balloon.

Raynor and D’Andrea Funeral Homes has always adhered to comprehensive sanitation standards. With the advent of this virus, we have increased our cleaning measures. From wearing personal protective equipment when caring for your loved ones remains to ensuring that social distancing measures are mitigated, we are doing everything we can to keep you and your family safe and healthy. We keep our bathroom soap dispensers filled, as the importance of proper handwashing cannot be stressed enough. Taking cues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), funeral homes will stagger ceremonies, have one staff member open the door to mitigate cross contamination or keep the door open if the weather allows, among other preventive measures. The funeral home will also be cleaned and sanitized between services, and we will limit the number of services held each day as well.

At this time, your loved one’s remains can be buried or cremated. There are no changes to that process, you can safely receive their cremated remains if you prefer. It is safe to be in the same room as one who passed from COVID-19, you just are unable to touch their body.

Although much of our normal ways of life are changing and pausing due to this pandemic, we are able to help you maintain your loved one’s wishes. At this time, we are able to help you practice religious customs or traditions, you can also contact local religious leaders for more guidance. As things get better, and this crisis is over, we hope you will work with us to have a beautiful celebration of life that honors your loved one.

In this time of social distancing, we may feel alone in our sadness, grieving for hugs from family and friends we are not able to see. At our Raynor & D’Andrea we understand what you are going through, and we will be here for you every step of the way, from the smaller ceremony, to a larger celebration when this is done. Please reach out to us if there’s anything we can do to assist you. Contact our West Sayville location at (631) 589-2345 and our Bayport location can be reached at (631) 472-0122.