1) Question: “Are we still allowed to have a visitation for our loved one?”
Answer: YES. The most recent rule that has been stated by the Government of Ontario is a maximum of 10 people allowed at a visitation, funeral service or funeral home. This means that there is no more than 10 family members allowed inside the Funeral Home building or visitation room at a time. We have our staff members controlling and monitoring the amount of people going in and out of our visitation rooms and funeral home at all times. Unfortunately, we cannot have anyone waiting in the foyer of the Funeral Home for the visitation rooms to clear out. "Rotation shifts" are being done within the family, as a certain number of people exit the Funeral Home we will allow the certain number of people to enter, as our staff members will be positioned at the entrance of the Funeral Home along with the entrance of our visitation rooms ensuring the number of people do not exceed 10 for the safety of our families, staff, guests and community.
2) Question: “Are funeral services still allowed or taking place?”
Answer: YES. Funeral services are still taking place inside our Funeral Home. We are preforming/celebrating chapel services with a priest/deacon due to the temporary closure of all churches by the Archdiocese of Toronto effective March 24, 2020. The new rule from the Ontario Government still remains the same as there will be allowed 10 family members inside the chapel at once during the service.
3) Question: “Is the family allowed to go to the cemetery to witness the entombment of crypts, interment of burials or witness cremations?”
Answer: YES. Following the chapel service, we will make our way with the immediate family members and priest/deacon to the cemetery where final prayers will take place before the closure of the crypts, graves or cremation. Cemeteries are closed to the public, but are still allowing families to be present for funerals. Most cemeteries have set up stanchions and are kindly asking that everyone stands behind them during the closure of the crypts or graves. The new rule from the Ontario Government still remains the same as there will be allowed 10 family members inside the cemetery at once.
To ensure that our Funeral Home continues to be a safe environment, we are strongly recommending/implementing:
- Upon entering/exiting the funeral home, we have invested in many hand sanitizing stations that can be operated by family members and guests
- We have implemented “Social distancing” procedures with the families and guests. This includes, stanchions in front of the families in our visitation rooms. Guests, are asked to pay their respects to the deceased and exit the room. Our visitation rooms will still have seating for those in need, but strongly suggest that you do exit the room as there will be stanchions on the aisles of our chairs/seating. This has put a temporary stop to all hand shaking and immediate contact with the family members.
- We urge you to offer condolences on the DeMarco Funeral Home website, under the decedents “Memory Wall” as donation(s) and floral tributes may be made as well through our website.
- All traditional receiving lines both at the church or cemetery will no longer take place. We are strongly recommending our families to integrate private entombments or burials at the cemeteries.
- Our coffee/espresso lounge is now closed due to Government Directives. If a coffee or beverage is wanted, our staff will make & hand deliver minimizing the amount of contact on the lounge equipment etc.
- We have hired a full-time cleaning crew to disinfect and sanitize our ENTIRE funeral home. Our staff will also be disinfecting and sanitizing all surfaces and high-touch items throughout the funeral home very frequently.
- We have invested in disposable masks and gloves for all visitors and family members entering the funeral home. If at any point, you wish to wear them, please ask one of our staff members as they will be given to you
- We offer live-streaming for visitations and funeral services for family and friends at home and also to those living outside of the country.
Lastly, we ask that our patrons who are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, have traveled or have been in contact with anyone who has traveled internationally recently to not attend any visitations, funerals and refrain from visiting the funeral home at this point of time.
We would like to thank each and every one of you for your trust and cooperation during this difficult time as we implement these new practices to prevent the spread of this virus as much as possible.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The principals & staff of DeMarco Funeral Homes
