We have been working incredibly hard to enable grieving families to have meaningful farewells during the weeks of Covid level restrictions. Every few days the goalposts have changed, but at level 2 it has been a little less restrictive and now with at least another week in level 2 we are seeing even more easing of conditions. This last week has seen us be able to host 50 people as a maximum in our chapel, along with our catering lounge seating 50 people at tables for eating and drinking. Having the flexibility with individual chairs means we can socially distance those present, allowing family bubbles to pull chairs together in the chapel. Afterward, our catering staff has been able to serve separately plated food to each person from behind per-specs screens at our servery, very much like a café, and from a separate window receive their ordered beverages. Attendees have enjoyed being seated café style and one of the lesser restrictions has seen them now allowed to sit in groups of 10, while not having to wear masks when eating and drinking, all seated of course. – For those that are not aware of the limitations that are placed on us by Government directive, they are now as follows:
Delta Alert Level 2 — It is mandatory to:
• Scan NZ COVID Tracer QR code, or sign the register as you enter
• Allow only 50 people indoors or allow only 100 people outdoors.
• Physical distance.
• Avoid harirū, hongi, kissing, and hugging.
• Maintain a two-meter distance between household bubbles.
• Wearing a face mask is recommended but no longer mandatory at a Funeral Home.
To overcome the Funeral gatherings with more than the 50 allowed we have utilised our second function space “Kapiti Old Mill’, which is just across the road from Kapiti Coast Funeral Home at 1 Kapiti Road. The directives require any secondary space to have its own separate QR code and this next-door facility complies nicely. Those attending there do not need to move their cars as it’s just across the road. They watch the gathering via ‘live stream’ on our big screen and then gather outside watching as the family gather around the hearse from across the street. Though they would rather be in the same venue, it is a way of keeping people connected, and nice to be able to provide ‘some’ freedom in our farewells.
Andrew Malcolm.