End-of-life rituals: Pandemic impedes on funerals, hospice care
New Hampshire Union LeaderMar 22, 2020
This is how we say goodbye to our heroes.
But in a time of pandemic, even our end-of-life rituals are changing.
Starting Monday, the veterans cemetery in
Committal services and military honors will be scheduled when this is all over, Buck said.
Phaneuf said his company has been asking families to make arrangements and sign documents online. And for those who aren't computer savvy and want to come in person, the funeral home is limiting the number of people at such meetings.
People are being practical in the face of the coronavirus threat, Phaneuf said. There are no big public wakes, in keeping with the state's emergency order barring gatherings of 50 people or more. And with widespread concern about travel, he said, long-distance relatives are unable to attend.
"We're not sidestepping the grief," he said. "It's just smaller gatherings. It's not going to be the friends and distant relatives and work associates.
"It's just a different experience."
For instance, one family last week chose to wait because one son lives in
Saying goodbye to a loved one is difficult enough. But the health crisis is bringing additional challenges, said
Its Community Hospice House is a 10-bed facility for people receiving end-of-life care. And nurses from the agency currently are visiting about 125 hospice patients in their homes, Andrade said.
Because of the coronavirus threat, all visitors and staff are screened as they enter the hospice house, she said. And if any staff members have traveled recently, she said, "Those staff members will not be able to work for 14 days."
They've had to curtail volunteer visits and visits from therapy dogs.
Only immediate family members are allowed to visit now, but staff members are using technology to connect patients with friends and relatives who can't visit in person, such as with conversations via Facetime and
"We understand this is a very special time," Andrade said. "People very much need to connect with the people that they love, so we're doing everything in our power to make sure that our patients can do that."
As for home visits, Andrade said infection control has always been a key part of what her agency does, knowing that its patient population is especially vulnerable.
"With a hospice patient at the end of life, it has always been a place you had to be very, very careful," she said. "The staff has always practiced heightened infection control."
With the current threat, her organization's senior staff is in daily communication with local hospitals and the state
What families are experiencing right now is uncharted territory, Andrade said. But she said human connection and compassion are timeless. "We're all going to get past this," she said. "And we're going to come out stronger ... ."
Amid the heightened stress, those involved in end-of-life care say there are moments of beauty.
The hospice house has been finding creative ways to continue some of its supportive activities, such as music therapy. Patients' rooms have French doors that can be opened and beds can be wheeled outside onto a patio, Andrade said. "With the weather getting better, we can have musicians out on a person's terrace," she said. "That's such a gift."
While the veterans cemetery is limiting services for now, the grounds remain open. And with churches and other places of worship closed, Buck said, "The veterans cemetery is not a bad place to be spiritual."
Visitors can stroll along the memorial walkway, or visit their family graves.
"It's a good place for small, independent solitude and prayer," Buck said. "They can continue to visit here, keep their social distance, and visit the heroes."
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