COVID-19 Update as of May 2021:
On May 13, 2021 the CDC made an announcement about the use of masks and necessary requirements for social distancing for individuals who have completed vaccinations (two for Pfizer and Moderna and one for Johnson & Johnson), and are at least two weeks past their final shot.
This announcement is great news, as we are all excited about the opportunity to return back to life before COVID-19. However, the State of New Jersey has not yet adopted the CDC recommendations. Masks and social distancing are still obligatory advisories from the New Jersey Department of Health and the Office of the Governor. Accordingly, until we receive updated guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health, we will continue to follow current practices. The funeral home is obliged to follow the New Jersey rules—not CDC advisories.
Please be mindful to wear your mask when attending services at the funeral home or place of worship until New Jersey rules have officially changed. We appreciate your cooperation during these unprecedented times.
The New Normal: Funeral Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Since the beginning of this COVID-19 Pandemic, William G. Basralian Funeral Service has been committed to following all guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of New Jersey to ensure the safety of its families and staff members.
We want our families and community members to know that we’re still here for you in your time of need, and that our staff is taking extra precautions to make sure our facility is safe and that families feel safe during every step of the funeral planning process.
We have a variety of online resources to make this uncertain time less stressful for everyone, including the options to virtually arrange funerals to limit in-person contact, creating memorial video tributes to share online with loved ones and even the option to live stream your loved one’s services.
To find out more about our COVID-19 protocols, or if you are faced with a loss in your family and need help navigating the new changes you may not be accustomed to when planning a funeral, please give us a call and we will answer any questions you might have.
COVID-19 Update as of June 2020:
As of June 22, 2020, the capacity for indoor gatherings has increased to 100 or fewer in the State of New Jersey. This is according to the latest executive order signed by Governor Phil Murphy (N.J. Executive Order No. 156).
In response to Murphy’s latest executive order, William G. Basralian Funeral Service will be amending our current COVID-19 safety protocol in regards to gatherings for visitations and funeral services:
- Visitations will be allowed as long as the capacity of the room remains at 50 people or less during the visiting hours
- All viewing room seating will be reconfigured to adhere to proper social distancing protocol and occupancy limits
- Anyone who wishes to enter the funeral home must wear a mask at all times
- Signs will be put up encouraging guests at the visitation to refrain from hugging kissing, and other physical contact and to actively practice social distancing
- Hand sanitizer has been placed at the entrance/exit of the funeral home, and each guest will be strongly encouraged to use the hand sanitizer
- A door attendant will be present during visitation and will be monitoring the capacity of the facility, as well as making sure that every guest is wearing a mask and practicing social distancing guidelines
- All common areas and high-touch areas will be disinfected before, during, and after each gathering
- Funeral services at the funeral home can only have a maximum occupancy of 50 people, therefore families may want to keep funeral services as an “invitation only” event, while the visitation can be public or “invitation only” as well at the discretion of the family
- Funeral services taking place at houses of worship will be dependent upon the current rules of the place of worship
- Some local churches have begun to offer funeral services again, but the current occupancy limit laws and social distancing laws will be enforced
- Occupancy limits at the graveside are at the discretion of the individual cemetery/mausoleum and their current rules they have in place
In regard to arrangements, pre-arrangements, and coming into the funeral home to meet with the funeral director and staff, we are still encouraging to handle arrangements virtually, but we will now be allowing in-person arrangements with a maximum of 5 people in the arrangement room. Anyone who enters the funeral home is required to wear a mask at all times. We are still not allowing walk-in appointments and require that anyone who would like to meet with us, please call us at (201) 261-0222.
We are committed to responsibly responding to the needs of the communities we are privileged to serve. We will continue to update these guidelines, as more restrictions and rules are lifted. We hope that everyone is remaining healthy and safe.
Please take care of yourselves and each other, and contact us directly for more information at (201) 261-0222.
As of June 11, 2020, the capacity for indoor gatherings has increased to 50 or fewer in the State of New Jersey. This is according to the latest executive order signed by Governor Phil Murphy (N.J. Executive Order No. 152).
Murphy said the eased restrictions are a result of the continued downward trend in the number of cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey. Executive Order No. 152 increases the limits on indoor gatherings to 25 percent of facility capacity or a maximum of 50 people, whichever is the smaller number. While no mention of funeral homes was specifically made in the new executive order, the new limits on indoor gatherings apply to funeral gatherings as well. According to the executive order, those gathering will still need to practice social distancing and wear face masks at all times.
In response to Murphy’s latest executive order, William G. Basralian Funeral Service will be amending our current COVID-19 safety protocol in regards to gatherings for visitations and funeral services:
- Visitations will be allowed as long as the capacity of the room remains at 50 people or less during the visiting hours
- All viewing room seating will be reconfigured to adhere to proper social distancing protocol and occupancy limits
- Anyone who wishes to enter the funeral home must wear a mask at all times
- Signs will be put up encouraging guests at the visitation to refrain from hugging kissing, and other physical contact and to actively practice social distancing
- Hand sanitizer has been placed at the entrance/exit of the funeral home, and each guest will be strongly encouraged to use the hand sanitizer
- A door attendant will be present during visitation and will be monitoring the capacity of the facility, as well as making sure that every guest is wearing a mask and practicing social distancing guidelines
- All common areas and high-touch areas will be disinfected before, during, and after each gathering
- Funeral services at the funeral home can only have a maximum occupancy of 50 people, therefore families may want to keep funeral services as an “invitation only” event, while the visitation can be public or “invitation only” as well at the discretion of the family
- Funeral services taking place at houses of worship will be dependent upon the current rules of the place of worship
- Some local churches have begun to offer funeral services again, but the current occupancy limit laws and social distancing laws will be enforced
- Occupancy limits at the graveside are at the discretion of the individual cemetery/mausoleum and their current rules they have in place
In regard to arrangements, pre-arrangements, and coming into the funeral home to meet with the funeral director and staff, we are still encouraging to handle arrangements virtually, but we will now be allowing in-person arrangements with a maximum of 5 people in the arrangement room. Anyone who enters the funeral home is required to wear a mask at all times. We are still not allowing walk-in appointments and require that anyone who would like to meet with us, please call us at (201) 261-0222.
We are committed to responsibly responding to the needs of the communities we are privileged to serve. We will continue to update these guidelines, as more restrictions and rules are lifted. We hope that everyone is remaining healthy and safe.
Please take care of yourselves and each other, and contact us directly for more information at (201) 261-0222.
Previous Update from March 16, 2020, Listed Below:
COVID-19: We remain deeply committed to the health and well-being of our community, our guests and our associates.
In response to this developing public health concern, we have taken certain precautionary measures to help mitigate the spread of the virus by:
- Conducting enhanced cleaning procedures, while increasing the frequency of sanitizing, in line with recommendations from the CDC.
- Offering phone and email arrangements to meet the needs of families and guests.
- Adjusting services and the number of guests in attendance according to the directives of local and state authorities.
- We are no longer allowing walk-in appointments at our facility. We ask that you call ahead of time to schedule an appointment with the funeral director or staff.
Due to Executive Order #107, made by Governor Phil Murphy on March 21, 2020: All public funeral gatherings, viewings, or ceremonies, therefore, should not be conducted in any funeral home, place of worship, cemetery, or crematory until further notice. Therefore only private services can be held with 10 people or less for the time being until we are advised otherwise by the government.
We are committed to responsibly responding to the needs of the communities we are privileged to serve.
Please take care of yourselves and each other, and contact us directly for more information at (201) 261-0222.
Previous Update from March 16, 2020, Listed Below:
As we are sure you are aware, there is currently a novel coronavirus outbreak happening worldwide. We are hopeful that this outbreak can be contained and that the mass panic being caused will slow down, but until that happens we must take proper sanitary precautions in helping prevent the spread of this coronavirus.
We are asking that from now until further notice that anyone attending funeral services either at the funeral home or in churches, please be conscious of how they are feeling; if you feel under the weather or you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 (such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath), we ask that you extend your condolences in other ways rather than attending the visitation or service, and risk of spreading any illness to the family of the deceased or general public. If you feel as though you must pay your respects and attend the services, we ask that you wear a mask and keep contact with others to a minimum.
From now on it is advised to keep physical contact and greetings such as handshakes or hugging to a minimum, or to use alternative greetings to show your condolences at the services. We ask that you please cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash. By taking preventative actions such as washing your hands often with soap and water and staying home when you feel sick, we can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our staff will continue to stay updated on proper precautions for public gatherings in reference to COVID-19 outlined by the CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#funerals
Previous Update from March 16, 2020, Listed Below:
As we are sure you are aware, there is currently a novel coronavirus outbreak happening worldwide. We are hopeful that this outbreak can be contained and that the mass panic being caused will slow down, but until that happens we must take proper sanitary precautions in helping prevent the spread of this coronavirus.
We are asking that from now until further notice that anyone attending funeral services either at the funeral home or in churches, please be conscious of how they are feeling; if you feel under the weather or you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 (such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath), we ask that you extend your condolences in other ways rather than attending the visitation or service, and risk of spreading any illness to the family of the deceased or general public. If you feel as though you must pay your respects and attend the services, we ask that you wear a mask and keep contact with others to a minimum.
From now on it is advised to keep physical contact and greetings such as handshakes or hugging to a minimum, or to use alternative greetings to show your condolences at the services. We ask that you please cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash. By taking preventative actions such as washing your hands often with soap and water and staying home when you feel sick, we can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our staff will continue to stay updated on proper precautions for public gatherings in reference to COVID-19 outlined by the CDC.
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