WEST FRANKFORT (WSIL) -- Funeral homes are preparing for larger gatherings as Illinois moves to of its reopening plan.
Under Phase 4, venues and meeting spaces can resume events with groups of up to 50 people or 50% capacity, whichever is lower.
Parker-Reedy Funeral Home in West Frankfort continued to hold services during the pandemic but had to cap the number of mourners to ten in Phase 3.
Owner Larry Wall says the move is tough on families who feel they haven't had the chance to properly honor their loved ones.
"If you had a larger family that was very difficult...to reduce down to ten people," Wall said. "They're going to feel relieved that they can pay their proper tribute to their loved ones."
Wall says being able to see and hold your family members at a funeral is part of the grieving process. He adds that the new guidelines will give mourners a sense of comfort.
"It's very important to be able to actually see their loved one and to spend time with them," Wall said.
