The coronavirus has changed nearly everything we do outside the home these days.
Unfortunately, it has a major effect on how we gather to mourn loved ones we have lost.

As if trying to deal with the funeral arrangements for a loved one isn't hard enough, making it happen during the coronavirus can be extra stressful.

Lane Funeral home locations in the Mahoning valley say they have to make sure people can grieve and show support safely.

"Generally private funerals are immediate family only. We try to limit it to that to 10 at the very most. We are Zooming funerals for guests out of town. Not uncommon to have 25-30 people attend through Zoom," said David Knarr of Lane.

They also make sure to limit seating, sanitize and try to enforce social distancing during calling hours.
They say dealing with COVID deaths doesn't change they way they handle embalming since they follow universal precautions for every person who has passed.

Ed Michael Reggie from the website Funeralocity.com says you can compare all funeral homes in your area for prices of the same services and products on their site by zipcode.

"People should consider if they want to have a celebration later. Dispose of the loved one now, and I hate to use that term, either by cremation or burial, you can have an urn and have a memorial service later," said Reggie.

Whether it's getting together in person or by zoom or waiting until a vaccine to have a larger service down the road, it's definitely something to talk to your family about when planning for something none of us want to plan for, but may have to