how Grey’s of Templemore managed during lockdown

How Grey’s Templemore adjusted to Covid 19

Grey’s Funeral Home, Templemore

Covid 19 or the corona virus arrived on our doorstep and the advice on how to handle every aspect of it as far as a funeral director was concerned, arrived as fast. Constantly conflicting and sometimes frightening accounts of what happened in other countries and what could happen here, and how to prepare for the worst scenario, very quickly became an everyday event. So much so

that it was hard to know what was factual and what was not, especially as the information very often came from what we considered informed and reliable and educated sources, people we believed were educated to handle such a situation, that would give us good advice on how to prepare and survive during something we had never seen or experienced. We took all advice on board, even though it was painful to listen to some of it, we listened and had our own meeting and decided to keep up the professional standards offered by us to families who trusted us over the years and I believe this was one of the proudest moments I have ever had in my career. Backed 100% by my Wife and staff, we then put what resources we had into place in order to deal with this new challenge, Covid 19.

The investment in our premises was to prove to be the number one asset in our corner, something I have believed in since the first day I walked into my friend David McGowan’s funeral home almost 30 years ago. David installed in me a belief that the funeral home was your number one asset and money invested in it was never wasted, so when I built my funeral home in 1996, it became a life long ambition to have it up to a very high standard inside and out, something that now stood no end to help us in this new challenge. This would indeed prove to be our number one asset. The complete and dedicated commitment of everyone who works here was every bit as essential, and together we set out a plan that has carried us through.

The investment in the funeral home included state of the art embalming facilities and equipment which gave us confidence to be able to work in a safe environment.

Another investment was a scholarship I won which enabled me to study and receive a masters degree in restorative art, in Liege University.

The year I spent here concentrated very much on embalming highly infectious cases, something I couldn’t have foreseen then, that would stand so much to me now. This knowledge was invaluable and along with some serious infectious case handling qualifications also received by my fellow embalmer, we were fully equipped to provide no change in the professional embalming service offered by Grey’s, something which defines our funeral home service.

The funeral home has over 100 parking spaces and is over 6000 square feet inside, something I thought would initially be a hindrance, very soon became an absolute blessing, despite falling numbers in attendance at funerals we were very quickly and easily able to offer social distancing by having a minimum of 5 feet distance between people at any one time while visiting the funeral home. Our two state rooms became a very important part of our service and when the numbers attending funeral were reduced, we still had so much room to ensure all guidelines were adhered to at all times, but still allowing our families as much visitation time as they required.

HIGH SPEED INTERNET

Another investment which proved invaluable was a fast internet service in our funeral home and a very good web site which was developed over the years. A serious boost to this was our Manager Thomas Bourke, who proved invaluable and his knowledge of everything technical was to shine and provide families with unreal live streaming, which enabled them to have their complete funeral service under our roof, offering a serious and very dignified funeral service without leaving our funeral home until interment was to take place.

Complete, dignified and very respectful services took place in our funeral home and I must personally thank all the Clergy who so kindly officiated at these services, making them so special to grieving families. Thomas developed our online condolence book, which we could then email to families and they could share without printing, yet another help to the environment while improving our service.

I believe we took the right approach, improving our service and developing to a new world which we all have to face and get used to. We believe there was enough disruption to life and death without us adding to a families grief and refusing to offer the professional service we have become respected for. We had no choice but to adjust and change a little, but I believe in holding on to the values which made us what we are, showing respect for both the deceased and bereaved. Our investment in our knowledge, skills and premises helped us to keep up and improve our standards, something I have always believed were more important that funeral vehicles and will be remembered long after a number plate digits are forgotten.

The number one asset of course was my fellow workers who decided from day one to provide all services in a dignified and professional manner, from first contact from a family, to final interment, everyone worked to ensure all standards were maintained at all times, something I am very grateful for. We improved every aspect instead of cutting back, sticking to our original motto “dedicated to those we are privileged to serve”.

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