The corona virus also changes processes in the crematorium – and makes work more difficult. Because the supply shortages of protective clothing and disinfectants are becoming a problem for undertakers.
The precautionary measures are correct and important, “but they bring us to our emotional limits,” says undertaker Petra Roser. The owner of the Zepp funeral home, with its headquarters in Bad Krozingen, regrets that “we can no longer accompany the families as usual and a piece of being an undertaker and companion is lost.” Because only a maximum of ten people are allowed to attend a funeral service, “a person’s life can no longer be appreciated in the form that everyone deserves”. Nevertheless, she and her staff tried to make burials as worthy as possible.
The coronavirus is also challenging for undertakers because they have direct contact with the deceased. Equipment includes mouth, nose and eye protection, double gloves and a full body suit. Anything that has come into contact with an infected deceased is thoroughly disinfected. “Unfortunately, a farewell by the relatives is no longer possible and allowed,” says Roser. She sees a major challenge in the supply bottlenecks of protective equipment and disinfectants, which are also becoming a problem for undertakers.
Hubert Klingele of the eponymous funeral home in Kirchzarten shares this concern. His employees wear complete protective equipment when they pick up the deceased in clinics, homes or at home. “We have to adjust to different times,” says Klingele. He only talks to relatives by phone or video telephony. It was more difficult and more exhausting than to personally meet the mourners. The relatives understood the situation and also accepted the restrictions. “Of course people are sad and shocked because, for example, the clubmate cannot be buried with music.” In order to be able to celebrate a worthy farewell, Klingele sometimes uses the trumpet himself – or the music comes off the line. “In these times we just have to improvise.”
So that things run smoothly, even if the work increases, Klingele wishes that the registrars work more unbroken and digital. The Austermhl company in Bad Krozingen sees digitalization as a funeral and grief counseling to give consolation to the relatives. In a press release, the company informed about the introduction of a virtual commemorative portal, including a condolence book and the possibility of uploading photos.
Mario Mller, who has been running the crematorium in the Breisgau business park since last year, would also like to contribute to a worthy farewell. For this he has set up a farewell room and a mourning hall. But neither can be used these days. “To protect everyone, we no longer receive visitors,” says Mller. “I’m very sorry for those affected, but we don’t want to take any chances.”
The corona virus also affects what happens in the crematorium. “We have raised the level of hygiene even further,” said Mller. The reeving takes place promptly.
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