JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —
With the spread of COVID-19 changing the ‘norm’ across the globe, funeral homes must also make changes to their services. Action News Jax Meghan Moriarty will have the full story on CBS47, FOX30.
34-year-old Tiffany Ortiz passed away after battling stage IV colon cancer.
Action News Jax first introduced you to Ortiz back in March. She’s an advocate for colon cancer awareness, but she was also a wife, daughter, sister and mother to three children.
She passed away on March 29, 2020. Her family was told they could have a service with 50 people total. However, a week later, due to new COVID-19 restrictions, they were told it would have to be 10 people or less.
This was not only heartbreaking for the mourning family but difficult in deciding who would be able to attend.
The 10 people rule includes pallbearers and the priest. They decided to get creative.
Ortiz’s husband will be streaming a Facebook live of the service. For the viewing, Funerals by T.S. Warden is allowing 10 people inside at a time. Everyone must practice social distancing.
While it’s not the funeral they were expecting, they understand why it has to be done this way.
Other funeral homes and cemeteries are enforcing restrictions too.
On March 22, Jacksonville National Cemetery changed its policy regarding burial services and military honors. They now only allow 10 individuals and you view the burial from a distance.
Sarah L. Carter Funeral Home -- which has locations on the north and southside -- is now offering drive-thru viewings and virtual live-streams for families. -
The Ortiz/Bryant family plans to hold a celebration of life for Tiffany when all of this is over, as well.
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