Funeral homes, services also being affected by COVID-19

There’s only one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Montgomery County as of Monday, March 30, and no virus-related deaths. However, that doesn’t mean the illness hasn’t affected local funeral directors and the funeral business.

Ron DeMarce, who is the owner/operator of Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home and Brian LeRette, owner/operator of Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Home, both in Red Oak, said it’s business as usual, with a few modifications.

Every deceased person is treated as though they have a contagious disease, long before COVID-19 unraveled. Funeral directors wear Personalized Protective Equipment (PPE) when preparing a body for burial. DeMarce said after embalming and disinfecting the individual and equipment, there is no longer a public health risk. While preparing the body hasn’t changed, obtaining PPE is more difficult, DeMarce and LeRette both said.

“We are having the same troubles as everyone right now in that we can not get the proper supplies, but hope that will be remedied soon,” commented LeRette.

DeMarce added with the onset of COVID-19, “If we go into a home where someone dies; we will take extra precaution, similar to first responders. We are an industry who can’t work from home. We can’t work remotely.”

Additionally, with the state mandate of no mass gatherings of 11 or more people, both funeral homes have had to change the way funerals are held.

DeMarce said they are offering longer visitation times as a way to allow those paying last respects the opportunity to trickle in throughout the day; keeping the numbers down. They also started live-streaming services for those who can’t or shouldn’t attend in person. Private family graveside services have also been an option, DeMarce said.

“Some families have opted to have memorial services at a later date so the public may attend,” added LeRette.

As for local military graveside services, DeMarce said those are still an option, but the members of the Color Guard count toward the 10 maximum. Military graveside services by Offutt Air Force Base as well as other installations have been temporarily cancelled, he said.

Both funeral homes have gone to “an appointment only policy” on a daily basis unless they have upcoming funerals. Air purifiers and more stringent disinfecting practices have also taken center stage at both facilities.

“COVID-19 is no different than other diseases out there, that it is easily killed,” said DeMarce.

“We are very cognizant of disinfecting every chance we get and providing a safe environment for the families we serve,” added LeRette.

“We are business as usual until we can’t be,” said