From now on there are again 100 people welcome to saying goodbye to a loved one. In the past two weeks, this number was limited to a maximum of 30 people, to the sadness of many relatives.
That time of difficult choices is now over, funeral directors Caroline van Weede and Martien Weel react with relief. “I just put down the phone with a family. Their father has died and will be buried next week. They were very pleased when I told them that they can invite 100 people, instead of 30,” said Van Weede.
The relaxation came as a surprise to the funeral director from Blaricum. “To be honest, I was quite surprised that the measure has been reversed so quickly.”
The announcement for the funeral industry was not explicitly mentioned during the press conference from last Tuesday. Funeral director Martien Weel from Hoorn finds this remarkable: “Saying goodbye is the order of the day and is therefore an essential part of our lives.”
Both funeral directors see it as their task to inform families quickly. “In the weekend I discussed a funeral for Thursday. This news came out on Tuesday. The family was very pleasantly surprised, but in practice only today had to invite more people via Whatsapp or email. To send a card. are you late “, says funeral director Weel.
Unnatural
The good news about the relaxation does not alter the fact that the situation is still limited by corona during a farewell. “You can’t eat or drink anything afterwards, unless it’s at the funeral location itself. But you can’t go to your favorite restaurant,” said Van Weede.
Keeping a distance of 1.5 meters in emotional situations remains very complicated, says Caroline. “It is and remains unnatural not to be allowed to touch each other when a loved one has died. I also see up close how things can go wrong.”
According to Martien Weel, people now know the rules. They know that they have to keep their distance. “But in a condolence after a ceremony it is very difficult. Then it is up to me to point this out to people. You prefer not to do that, because you know that it is natural to comfort someone. But it has to be, because it should be done. at this crazy time and it will remain so for a while. “
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