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Funerals and grieving during coronavirus

We can be there for each other like we always have

COVID-19 has halted some parts of our lives in their tracks while other parts continue unphased. We are still making dinner, taking care of children, loving each other. And our loved ones continue to pass away, not from coronavirus, but just as people always have passed away. With restrictions on gatherings and fear in the air, coming together with our community to remember, laugh, cry, and support one another seems difficult to say the least.

You’ve seen the CDC guidance against gatherings of 10+ people until March 31st, and against gatherings of 50+ people for the next 8 weeks. The official guidance on social distancing from funeral homes translates this recommendation as limiting funeral attendance to immediate family, and live streaming (virtual funeral) or recording the service for other would-be attendees. This may make it seem challenging to honor your loved one’s wishes.

What’s more, one of the most cathartic parts of a funeral is often the reception / wake / Shiva that follows, where everyone comes to share stories and be together. And of course, the importance of the weeks and months that follow to have friends and family around, looking at photos, bringing casseroles, and walking with you in grief, has not changed during COVID-19.

Coronavirus shouldn’t get to dictate when we support each other during a loss, only how we do that. Since well before COVID-19, our team at LifeWeb 360 has been helping families use technology to remember and celebrate their loved ones with their community.We will be posting a series of guides and articles to help you navigate planning a memorial that celebrates and honors your loved one and brings your community together for the support you need. Subscribe below for updates, and we will continue to add new articles to this page.

Please reach out to our team with any questions or if we can support you in any way, and encourage your funeral director to do the same.

Articles & Guides

Featured
Case Study: Alpha Phi Omega more than doubles member email engagement with LifeWeb 360
Case Study: Alpha Phi Omega more than doubles member email engagement with LifeWeb 360

Alpha Phi Omega (APO) national service fraternity is one of the largest collegiate fraternal organizations with over 500,000 initiated members. APO has very strong affinity with its alumni, but knew they could do more to harness it and to increase alumni engagement. This was especially important as they headed into a capital campaign for their Centennial. APO partnered with LifeWeb 360, a community engagement platform honoring members who have passed, to engage alumni in a meaningful and authentic way—helping brothers feel connected to something bigger than themselves or their collegiate chapter. 

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Coping with grief during the holidays
Coping with grief during the holidays
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Types of Celebration of Life Events
Types of Celebration of Life Events

You’ve decided to host a celebration of life event—now what? The first step to planning a celebration of life is to decide what type of event is right for you, your loved one, and their community.

Celebration of life events come in all shapes and sizes. There is no “one way” to host one. We’ve gathered together some popular event ideas to inspire you and to help you decide what event would be perfect for celebrating your person.

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Ideas for Hosting a Celebration of Life
Ideas for Hosting a Celebration of Life

7 tips for planning an authentic memorial event.

There is no “right” way to celebrate the special people who have impacted your life—memorial events come in all shapes and sizes!

When planning a celebration of life, funeral, or any other memorial event, remember to focus on what feels right for your loved one, you, and your community. Ask yourself, “What would my person want?”. Make that your guiding light and you’ll be sure to plan an authentic celebration that feels like your loved one.

Here are a few more tips to help you plan a memorial event as unique and memorable as your loved one.

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Monkeys, vampires, and funny memories… Celebrating our loved ones on International Joke Day
Monkeys, vampires, and funny memories… Celebrating our loved ones on International Joke Day

In the spirit of International Joke Day, we’re sharing a few LifeWeb memories from our community that celebrate the fun side of their loved ones

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How to Apply for FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Reimbursement
How to Apply for FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Reimbursement

If you lost a loved one due to COVID-19 in the US, you may be eligible for up to $9,000 in reimbursement for their funeral expenses via a new program from FEMA. Find answers on the Funeral Assistance Program, including who’s eligible and how to apply.

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Gale and Ed
Gale and Ed

Before spending nearly 50 years together, raising two children and making a huge move from their home state of New York to Arizona, 19 year old Gale met Ed on a blind date - sort of. She was fixed up with his best friend but when they went to the fraternity party they were all attending Ed caught her attention and, before she knew it, the best friend was forgotten and she fell under Ed’s spell. She was drawn to his big beautiful eyes, smile and warmth.

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Julia and Jan
Julia and Jan

An avid reader of science fiction and fantasy herself, Jan fostered a love of reading in all her children. Every night all 5 kids would be on Jan’s bed as she read them a chapter of The Hobbit and later, the Lord of the Rings.

During the day, she would teach them horseback riding, another one of her fervent passions. Julia, her daughter, remembered how as an overconfident girl she would jump her Shetland pony over everything, resulting in many painful accidents. However, Jan would not let these incidents hinder Julia from getting back on.

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A Conversation with Rachele Louis, LifeWeb 360 Co-Founder and COO
A Conversation with Rachele Louis, LifeWeb 360 Co-Founder and COO

In high school, Rachele Louis used to skip lunch to draw.

A self-proclaimed introvert, Rachele has loved tinkering her whole life. Growing up with two immigrant parents from Haiti changed how she understood and looked for things. As a child, Rachele created her own toys out of paper, making an assortment of objects from 3D boxes to catapults.

This passion for making designs led Rachele to a career in architecture, and a daring move to California from her hometown of New York City.

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Black Grief: When Life is More Than a Movement
Black Grief: When Life is More Than a Movement

As a Black woman and founder of a company that deals with death everyday, I’ve come to see just how grief hits different when it’s a life that has been taken prematurely. And in the particular cases of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, and too many others, it hits even harder for a life robbed in a pervasively disgraceful standard affair.

The more we remember all the ways George was a human, the stronger we keep his memory alive towards change. 

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