Local Funeral Director Finding Restrictions Tough

“Grief is something that we cannot play with, and the Government is doing just that,” funeral director Sharron Hanley said, in response to further Level 2 restrictions.

The Funeral Directors Association yesterday condemned the Level 2 announcement allowing only 10 people to say goodbye to loved ones.

President Gary Taylor said it was a “cruel and heartless blow” to the thousands of New Zealand families who have lost loved ones, and unjustifiable.

During the Level 4 lockdown no funerals or tangi could be held, and for the Macdonald and Weston owner it has been a tough time, dealing with not one, but two suicides during that time.

“It has been horrendous. It’s really not good,” Sharron said.

The association spoke to the Epidemic Response Committee last week where they shared the account of an 18 year old Invercargill man who took his own life under Level 4.

The last view his parents had of him was in a body bag in the backyard, and not the peaceful state of being able to view later and say a meaningful goodbye.

“We know that thousands of families have been unable to have a meaningful funeral as part of their grieving process which has today been extended for another 2 weeks, and we know how much these families are suffering,” Gary said.

Sharron said for the family who lost their 18-year-old son, she thought under Level 2 they could still have a memorial service, “but no, not now.”

“This isn’t right, but it’s what we have to do,” she said.