By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – State Representative Dan Brady, who is part owner of Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Funeral Home, says the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way funerals are conducted.

“We continue to (change), whether its the webcam idea which is being fined tuned with our firm there are many other aspects of that,” Brady told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “A big aspect of that, of course, is what churches are doing or not doing in regards to services and allowing services. Many churches, if the family is affiliated with the church family, have decided immediate burial, it would only be the possibility right now of direct cremation and service at a later date.”

According to the White House, funeral homes can only have ten or fewer people at a time during a service to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“Those ideas (such as webcam broadcast to family members) and, of course, respecting the executive order as far as gatherings go are being followed and implemented through the firm,” Brady added.

In a news release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 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.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].