MARION, Ill. (WSIL) -- The pandemic's toll on funeral homes and burial rituals is transforming the way Americans mourn.
A Marion funeral home director spoke with News 3 WSIL about the new ways people are saying goodbye to their loved ones during the era of COVID-19.
Lindsey Hammonds is a licensed funeral director and embalmer at Wilson-McReynold's Funeral Home in Marion. She says COVID-19 has changed the way her clients pay respects to their loved ones.
"It's nothing like it was before, but everyone is still paying respects like they were before," says Hammonds.
Hammonds says they're seeing more hand-written notes and flower arrangements coming in from mourners.
"They are calling us asking us to give condolences, they're telling us memories of people and they are calling families more. Attendance has gone down but the memories have gotten stronger since people can't come in person," says Hammonds.
Hammonds noticed a shift in her industry hitting our region.
"It was everywhere, people that we personally knew were getting it and passing away from it so when it hit here, it hit hard and it spiked our call list a lot," Hammonds says.
That spike went from two to three calls a week, to three to four.
Hammonds said the 'what-if factor" is always lingering in the back of everyone's head and because of it, the industry must continue to adapt.
"In the setting of COVID-19, I think that you will see a more virtual spike. But I think once people learn how to handle COVID-19, and more people get vaccinated, I think you'll see a spike in the traditional aspect coming back. Which we are all looking forward to because then you get to see each other again and when you're grieving, there's nothing like seeing that person that has known you your whole life come through the door," says Hammonds.
Hammonds says they are very mindful of following, 'the state guidelines.'
She says the funeral home requires everyone wear a mask during funerals.
