VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Funeral homes in Hampton Roads are feeling the effects of COVID-19 and owners are already making changes.
As soon as you walk inside Beach Funeral Services you’ll find gloves, hand sanitizer and a sign-in book. That way the staff can keep track of visitors in case one of them catches the virus.
Amore Sanderlin works at the funeral home. She said funeral homes feel the impact of this outbreak in every step of the work they do. So, they’ve taken precautions, including ordering special face masks for picking up the deceased.
“You won’t know what your victim had until there’s a cause of death on a death certificate. So, we always remain prepared to use our universal precautions,” Sanderlin said.
“We’re concerned because it’s like a new territory,” said Kevin Sanderlin, owner of Beach Funeral Services.
He said, for now, his business only allows the elderly to come in for private viewings and that he'll let 50 people, at most, inside the building that can hold up to 154.
That’s more than the recommended 10, but they’re making sure people follow social distancing guidelines.
“It’s kind of hard to say 10 people. Some people have more than 10 children,” said Kevin Sanderlin.
Also, people aren’t allowed to spend long periods of time at the funeral home. They can pay respects, but they must leave right after.
Sheila Harold McElroy said she feels the impact since her 92-year-old father Willis Harold Junior passed away this month.
“It’s tough, my heart is broken. My family is hurting. I’m hurting,” said McElroy. “Our family is 200 strong easily.”
Now her dad will be laid to rest without most of his family getting to say goodbye.
McElroy said loved ones called her "asking if it’s ok if we stand in the parking lot?”
Yet she said she’s looking at the bigger picture, which is everyone’s safety during a pandemic.
“Rules and protocols, we understand,” said McElroy. “I don’t want others to have to go through this. So, we are praying, asking God for mercy.”
Sanderlin said they have plans if this pandemic grows even more in Hampton Roads.
“Praying that it don’t, but I think it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
Facilities like theirs have space to preserve bodies if needed. They’ll even record funerals by video or live stream them for loved ones to say goodbye.
Sanderlin said they’ve made it through other health emergencies before that have come and gone. "So this too shall pass,” he said.
Sanderlin and clients like the McElroys are focused on doing their part as citizens to limit the spread of this virus so that others don’t have to say goodbye to loved ones during the outbreak.