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Government Update Guidelines For Holding Funeral Services Amid Covid 19 Outbreak

Funerals should be limited to 10 people, and social distancing should still be observed,

The measures apply to all deaths, not just those as a result of the coronavirus.

Mourners are being told they cannot kiss their loved ones goodbye if they've died as a result of the coronavirus.

The government has published a guide for anyone who suffers a loss during the pandemic.

Its possible the act of moving a recently deceased person may be enough to expel a very small amount of droplets.

This is why when a person has died as a result of Covid-19 or is a suspected case, new measures have been brought in.

Embalming, washing the body, kissing the deceased or having the body lie in an open casket at home have all been curtailed under new government guidelines.

It's advised that funerals be organised by phone and that funeral directors avoid direct contact with any family member who has been identified as being a close contact of the deceased.

Other measures also apply to deaths unrelated to the outbreak.

Friends of the deceased are only allowed to attend funerals where there are no close family or household members - but this cannot exceed 10 people.

Funeral arrangements should not be advertised, a notice of the passing is permitted on local radio stations, RIP.ie and in local papers.

Hugging or shaking hands should be avoided, while social distancing should be observed.

Post funeral gatherings are not allowed, but families will be advised that they can have a memorial service at a later date.

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