Funeral Policy for Chicago Community Mennonite Church during COVID-19
Prepared by pastors Alison Casella Brookins and Celeste Grace Groff, April 2020
For Christians, gathering to mourn the dead, celebrate their lives, and proclaim the hope of resurrection are essential practices of our faith. During the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak, our usual mourning rituals have changed. This complicates and compounds our grief and makes our losses even more difficult. Even as we seek to follow public health guidelines and keep everyone safe, no one will mourn alone—we will do everything in our power to help people feel supported in this time.
Families may choose to postpone having a funeral or memorial service until it is possible to have a large gathering. One option may be to gather on the six-month or one-year anniversary of a person’s death, an opportunity to also remember that grief lasts beyond when society urges us to move on.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, on March 20, 2020, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a stay at home order and limited gatherings to no more than 10 people. This order is extended through the end of April 2020. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended no gatherings larger than 10 people. Until this order ends, we will be limited in our funeral practices in the following ways:
Viewing/Wake: We are not able to host a viewing or wake at the church at this time. We can however host an online wake that is a time for sharing and storytelling
Funeral or Memorial Service: We are able to host a funeral service at the church but only allow 10 people in the sanctuary, and we are able to live stream the service. Families may choose to postpone the funeral or memorial service until it is possible to have larger gatherings.
Graveside: We are able to host 10 people at a graveside service outdoors and strongly recommend that all people practice social distancing of 6 feet between one another. Please note that the 10 people includes the officiant and likely a person from the funeral home and may also include a person from the cemetery.
Meal: We are not able to host a meal following a funeral at this time.
Pastors: Pastors will practice social distancing of 6 feet with the family and others in attendance.
Sources: Massachusetts Council of Churches Guide for Christian Funerals during COVID19 [PDF]
For Christians, gathering to mourn the dead, celebrate their lives, and proclaim the hope of resurrection are essential practices of our faith. During the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak, our usual mourning rituals have changed. This complicates and compounds our grief and makes our losses even more difficult. Even as we seek to follow public health guidelines and keep everyone safe, no one will mourn alone—we will do everything in our power to help people feel supported in this time.
Families may choose to postpone having a funeral or memorial service until it is possible to have a large gathering. One option may be to gather on the six-month or one-year anniversary of a person’s death, an opportunity to also remember that grief lasts beyond when society urges us to move on.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, on March 20, 2020, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a stay at home order and limited gatherings to no more than 10 people. This order is extended through the end of April 2020. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended no gatherings larger than 10 people. Until this order ends, we will be limited in our funeral practices in the following ways:
Viewing/Wake: We are not able to host a viewing or wake at the church at this time. We can however host an online wake that is a time for sharing and storytelling
Funeral or Memorial Service: We are able to host a funeral service at the church but only allow 10 people in the sanctuary, and we are able to live stream the service. Families may choose to postpone the funeral or memorial service until it is possible to have larger gatherings.
Graveside: We are able to host 10 people at a graveside service outdoors and strongly recommend that all people practice social distancing of 6 feet between one another. Please note that the 10 people includes the officiant and likely a person from the funeral home and may also include a person from the cemetery.
Meal: We are not able to host a meal following a funeral at this time.
Pastors: Pastors will practice social distancing of 6 feet with the family and others in attendance.
Sources: Massachusetts Council of Churches Guide for Christian Funerals during COVID19 [PDF]
