Richmond Free Press
April 2-4, 2020
B3
Faith News/Directory
COVID-19 changes funeral traditions By Brian Palmer
COVID-19 has taken thousands of lives and upended business as usual around the world during the past few months. Just as the pandemic is changing daily life for millions, it is rapidly changing how the living lay their loved ones to rest. In Henrico County, Wilson & Associates’ Funeral Service on Nine Mile Road held a walkthrough viewing this week for the late Rober​t W. Peay, an emeritus faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work. Visitors came in ones and twos on Monday afternoon. As one man exited, another entered. He was a classmate of Mr. Peay’s, he said. Daryl V. Fraser, a colleague of Mr. Peay, sat in the front row across from the casket inside the chapel for a few minutes. “He was a good man, a family man. A father figure. He had a profound impact on who I am as a social worker,� said Mr. Fraser, who was alone until an older couple came in. The three remained at least 6 feet apart during the viewing as coronavirus protocol demands. “We have what’s called a viewing and you have what’s called a visitation,� Brian V. Wilson, owner of the funeral home, explained. A standard viewing, he said, is “coming in and going out.� People pay their respects at the casket, linger for a few moments and then leave. At a visitation, family and friends sit, socialize and celebrate the life of the person who has passed away.
Brian Palmer
A sign on the door outside a viewing room reminds people to observe social distancing at Wilson & Associates’ Funeral Service in Henrico County.
But Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s Executive Order 53 has put an end to large visitations — and to funerals as well. The directive prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people. “The governor’s order does not reference or create an exception for funeral gatherings,� the Virginia Department of Health Professions, which regulates embalmers and funeral homes, noted in an electronic posting for funeral directors. Mr. Wilson now limits the number of people allowed in the funeral home’s viewing room to four at a time. He also has set a 10-minute time limit. “A lot of our families understand. They’ve taken it pretty good,� Mr. Wilson said. But for people who are “already grieving, this adds another layer
of stress.� Other area funeral homes also are following the governor’s order. “The traditional funeral has changed quite a bit,� said Richard A. Lambert Sr., owner and president of Scott’s Funeral Home in North Side. “It’s a frightening situation and we have to treat this a little different.� For families, “it’s hard to adjust to the fact that they have to have a limited number of people at the funeral and they have to have a closed casket, and they can’t even go to the gravesite,� Mr. Lambert said. Many cemeteries, he noted, are bound by the governor’s order as well and are limiting the number of people allowed
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Good Shepherd Baptist Church
"APTIST #HURCH
1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223 s Office: (804) 644-1402
Sunday School – 9:45 AM Sunday Services – 11:00 AM
Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You�
Due to the COVID-19 Corona Virus All regular activities have been suspended until further notice. Visit https://youtu.be/qqzhnIEQyQc for inspirational messages from Pastor Smith
Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m.
“Due to the Corona All services Sunday SchoolVirus: ~ 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m. at Broad Rock Baptist Church 4th Sunday UniďŹ ed Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m. are until further notice.â€? Biblecancelled, Study: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. Sermons Available at BRBCONLINE.org
7M\XL &ETXMWX 'LYVGL 8LIQI JSV 1SFMPM^MRK *SV 1MRMWXV] 6IJVIWLMRK 8LI 3PH ERH )QIVKMRK 8LI 2I[ We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! Sunday Service will not be held in our sanctuary. Join us for 11:00 AM Worship by going to our website www.sixthbaptistchurch.org 400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220
Twitter sixthbaptistrva
Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor
(near Byrd Park)
(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Facebook Fax (804) 359-3798 sixthbaptistrva www.sixthbaptistchurch.org
Thirty-first Street Baptist Church C
bin om
in g
ance with Reverence Relev
2006 Decatur Street Richmond, VA 23224 zbcoffice@verizon.net
Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor Sunday Service 10 a.m. Church School 8:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m. Transportation Services (804) 859-1985 “Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospel�
Triumphant
Baptist Church
Bible Study: Tuesday - 9 a.m. Wednesday - 7 p.m.
Via Conference Call (515) 606-5187 Pin 572890#
Prayer Services: Wednesday (1st & 3rd ) 7 a.m. Every Wednesday 8 p.m.
Also Visit Us On Facebook Sunday Service – 11:00 AM
Communion - 1st Sunday
2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus
St. Peter Baptist Church $R +IRKLAND 2 7ALTON 0ASTOR
Worship Opportunities
“The Church With A Welcome�
3HARON "APTIST #HURCH 500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825
Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858
¹4HE 0EOPLE´S #HURCH²
Come worship with us!
Zion Baptist Church
Church School - 9:30 a.m. Worship Service - 11:15 a.m.
years of Christian ing 151 meetings and All services Serv atactivities, r b e i ce Cel been suspended until otherwise notified. have
Pastor Kevin Cook
deceased in the time of COVID19 take additional measures, he said, such as wearing two pairs of gloves and double gowns and shoe covers. The African-American funeral is social, said Mr. Jenkins, and so, too, is the African- American funeral home. He laments having to cancel the post-funeral repast, a staple of a traditional black funeral. But he also misses the affectionate physical contact that’s customary. “The first thing we do when we meet a family — whether they’re a family we’ve served or a new family — we shake hands, we hug,� Mr. Jenkins said. But not anymore, he added. “That’s just one of the millions of reasons why I’m praying for this to be over.�
2003 Lamb Avenue Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622
Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor
“MAKE IT HAPPEN�
A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone
at burials. As a result, more families are opting for cremation, he said. “It’s tough, and I really feel for the families,� said Joseph Jenkins III, vice president and manager of Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home in the West End. “Some people are choosing to have a memorial service at a later date.� COVID-19 also has huge implications for how the professionals who actually handle remains work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines for handling bodies of those who die from the virus. “A funeral or visitation service can be held for a person who has died of COVID-19.
Funeral home workers should follow their routine infection prevention and control precautions when handling a decedent who died of COVID-19,� the guidance stated. The CDC also offers some science-based reassurance to death care professionals and people attending funerals. “There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19.� Still, according to the CDC guideline, “people should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.� Handling the bodies of people with infectious diseases is nothing new for funeral directors. Disease transmission and control and sterilization are mandatory subjects in mortuary science school, which funeral service providers must attend in order to obtain a ​l​icense ​in the Commonwealth. In fact, it’s against the Virginia law for a funeral director to refuse to accept the body of person who has died of an infectious disease. “Standard protocol is to treat every case as if they have something, an infectious disease,� Mr. Wilson said. But funeral home workers who handle the
216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 • Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcofďŹ ce1@yahoo.com • web: www.richmondebenezer.com
Sundays: All Sunday services have been suspended for the remainder of the month. Join us for online streaming this Sunday at 10 AM. Visit our WEBSITE, look under “/NLINE 3ERVICES,� and access the “0ASTOR S -ESSAGE.� Bible Study Opportunities Thursdays: All Bible Study sessions have been suspended for the remainder of the month. Tithing Opportunities Download the Tithe.ly giving app for Apple and Android devices. Your gift is safe/secure and goes directly to our church. -OUNTAIN 2OAD s 'LEN !LLEN 6IRGINIA /FlCE s &AX s WWW STPETERBAPTIST NET
New Deliverance Evangelistic Church
1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net
W
omen With Mission and Purpose (WWMP) Conference
Ebenezer Baptist Church is suspending all regular activities and worship services indeďŹ nitely. Please check our website, http://www.richmondebenezer.com or our Facebook page Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Adam L. Bond, Pastor-Elect
Upcoming Events
May 29 - 30, 2020
In His Presence: Restored, ReNewed, and Ready for Warfare “No Fear, No Limits and No Excuses�
Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor
Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady
Dr. Alvin Campbell, Interim Pastor
SUNDAY
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WEDNESDAY SERVICES Noonday Bible Study 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Sanctuary - All Are Welcome! Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m. (Bible Study)
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Holiday Inn Newport News - Hampton (757) 223-2110 Code – NDW Cuto date for hotel reservations - April 28, 2020 King Room $125 | Double Room $142
• Hotel cut/o and Room block will end on April 28, 2020 and Conference Registration price will increase after midnight on April 28, 2020.
Visit our website at www.ndec.net for costs, registration and other information
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CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (NDCA)
THIRD SUNDAY 10:30 a.m. Children’s Church Higher Achievement
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823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office
2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor
You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS� online! Also, for your convenience, we now offer “full online giving.� Visit www.ndec.net.
6 weeks to 4th grade Before and After Care For more information Please call
(804) 276-4433
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 P.M.
