Funerals and covid risk.

[usernamenumber636274]

Whilst it's a good that funerals have less restrictions now and restrictions are down to the venue now (I think?). I still have some anxiety over it...

Meant to be going to a funeral soon. Old family friend. No limits in the venue, I've googled the capacity and it's 80 people. I'm not sure how many will go but she had a lot of family and friends. So could be full.

Potentially 80 bleddy people. I know we are back to 'normal' now! Most of us are double jabbed and I can wear a mask.

But I feel a bit anxious about it. Sat next to and around people. Covid is really high where I live.

I'm not vulnerable, I'm double jabbed but have managed to avoid covid so far - somehow!

I'm sure there will be hugging etc comforting each other - I'm not a hugger anyway so no hugging here!

It's the first time during the pandemic I'm required to enter an indoor space with lots of people! So feel a little on edge. I haven't even been to the pub, cinema or a restaurant yet. I'm not a sociable person which is the main reason! I tend to stick to outside and quiet places.

Advice?

I think if you are nervous about it don't do it or do something smaller first.

But at the end of the day this is life now so how long do you put life on hold for. The numbers we have now might be the numbers forever more.

If it helps I've been everywhere - cinemas, shops, restaurants, planes, abroad and never caught it.

If you've not even been to a restaurant then it will be a bit of a shock.
It is a risk but if you are not vulnerable I would go. Maybe go to the service but not the wake?
I missed my own mother's funeral in March 2020.

If you don't want to be near to people you are going to have to stay away.

As PP I have been in restaurants and have had DH at home with covid and still haven't caught it so it isn't a given and that was before vaccinations.

Thanks all. I'm generally not a sociable person either and hate large amounts of people so it's not just covid but other things. There is no wake, just a service!

Why can’t you wear an FFP2/N95 mask that will also protect you? Try and keep your distance but that’s all you can do for now if you need to attend.

I've been out and about but try and do a lot of outside things. Have been to some indoors places but tend to avoid it busy. Like we will go swimming, aquarium and soft play when it's hot and sunny (in summer obviously) so it would be quiet 😅 I'm a massive introvert at the best of times! Letting my mind run crazy!

I do think my dc have had covid already when there was no tests - obviously they could get t again. I'm not worried about the risk to me as such but just not wanting to be ill right now or requiring time off! Got a lot of things on at the minute!

We had my nana's funeral last week. Some of the people at the funeral were wearing masks and visors. Everyone was wearing a mask.
The church had sanitizer as everyone came in and the hymns etc were in the order of service that you could take away with you so you didn't have to share hymn books or touch anything really.
My mums friend has a very vulnerable husband so she stood outside church to pay respects as we arrived and entered the church. Maybe you could do that instead?

My advice would be to wear a mask, bite the bullet and be brave. Otherwise your anxiety over things like this could end up being way more detrimental to you than the risk of covid.

I've been to 2 funerals recently masks are mandatory here so that wasn't an issue but sit away from people if you don't feel comfortable put your mask on and avoid hugging hand shaking. We've not gone back to "normal" covid is still around, but we need to assess our own risk and if you feel this is too risky it's fine not to go isn't it?

@HappyGirl86

We had my nana's funeral last week. Some of the people at the funeral were wearing masks and visors. Everyone was wearing a mask. The church had sanitizer as everyone came in and the hymns etc were in the order of service that you could take away with you so you didn't have to share hymn books or touch anything really. My mums friend has a very vulnerable husband so she stood outside church to pay respects as we arrived and entered the church. Maybe you could do that instead?

Sorry about your nana 💕

Thanks all! I think it's just a mix of social anxiety and covid anxiety. I'll be going alone too!

I'm not vulnerable to covid but I do worry. Both my children have sen and my worst fear is me and dp getting really ill with covid and not being able to take care of them. J know any parent has that way but my children don't fully understand. Also, don't want them to get it but they could catch it at school regardless!

I just haven't seen many people for a long time and I am not used to the interaction either!

Definitely won't be hugging anyway - wouldn't before covid.

Worry not way *

I am not a particularly sociable person either, but I have been to the odd pub, restaurant and cinema with my family and have generally been going out and about as I would normally.

I had to go to two lockdown funerals, the last of which was my Dad's back in April. To be honest, it was quite an issue only being allowed 30 in the crematorium as my Dad was a pretty well known figure locally to where he lived. People wore masks and many who weren't down to go into the chapel did just gather outside it during the service. Others had gathered outside our house to see us off in the procession, which was lovely of them. The rest tuned in on live stream.

I think you will be fine. Sit at the back and wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable.

I had to attend a work event recently and it was the biggest group of people I'd been with indoors since the pandemic began... Also not super sociable in normal times and not a fan of crowds! Anyway, didn't catch covid and no one else in our group did, either.

In the case of the funeral, I would probably go wearing an FFP2 mask and try to sit at the back and at the end of a row so you're not completely surrounded by people.

I know someone who went to a family funeral with covid symptoms and gave it to the entire immediate family.

They had said they had symptoms before attending but the family told them not to be daft.

Of course, this could have happened anywhere.

Sigh.

I haven't been to a funeral since covid, but my DA & DU went to one recently and said everyone was wearing a mask. Maybe you could go with a view to standing at the back so you at least don't have anyone behind you. If you get there and you're not comfortable you could sit quietly outside and pay your respects in your own way, in terms of thoughts.

As a church warden, I go to quite a few funerals.

We have our church set up with normal chairs spaced further apart than normal and a section of chairs with social distancing (2m spacing). We also have a gallery with perspex screens between the box pews.

We encourage everyone to do hands, face, space.

If it’s in an old church then it will probably be draughty and well ventilated.

I would wear an FFP2 masks because that indicates to people that yiu are being careful/cautious and wouldn’t welcome hugging, close contact etc.

A pp pensioned standing at the back. This will vary from place to place of course but our church isn’t allowing that at the moment as one of its COVID measures. Quite a few people stand outside for funerals rather than come in because they’re more comfortable with that.

I agree. If you get a proper mask, as well as protecting you it also sends a signal.

Lots of good advice here @usernamenumber636274
But the only thing I would add is if you are close to the family it's VERY difficult to go to the funeral and not hug grieving loved ones.
I was at family funeral 6 months ago when we were still under restrictions, lots of people not yet vaccinated. despite my best
intentions, it was impossible not to hug my grieving relatives

Went to an indoor event at the weekend with 4000 people - 80 people is nothing.

You could catch it off only 1 Person if they were infected.

Wear a mask as it will give some protection.