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People who “went to funerals” and did not follow guidelines such as wearing face masks and social distancing were causing a rise in funeral-related Covid cases, the Irish Funeral Directors Association said.
Mary Cunniffe, a spokeswoman for the association, told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that the group had been disappointed to see the medical director’s report on the matter, but that the information “was not a big surprise.”
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said earlier this week that it was a concerning fact that the five-day average daily coronavirus case count is increasing, and that it has now reached more than 400 a day.
“There are examples of small numbers of people congregating for social purposes and just ignoring important public health messages,” he said.
“We are also seeing a series of outbreaks across the country. These include outbreaks associated with funerals. We understand that this is a difficult time for families, but it is really important that we do everything possible to avoid the circumstances that promote the transmission of the virus.
Ms Cunniffe said her association had been working with many groups to ensure funerals were observed within the limits of correct Covid guidelines.
It was unfortunate that there was some non-compliance, he said, with people “attending funerals” and not adhering to guidelines regarding the use of face masks, hand hygiene and observance of social distance.
The association is an island-wide group with a membership of 342 undertakers and, according to its website, conducts “80% of funerals on the island of Ireland.”
Ms. Cunniffe said funeral directors “strongly recommend” families to keep details of funeral arrangements to a minimum.
Funeral directors, churches, crematoriums, clergymen and humanist celebrators were observing restrictions, he said. But they had no control over occasions like wakes or to discourage people from calling the home of the bereaved.
Ms. Cunniffe also expressed concern that some media platforms were posting details about reposing when such deals should not be published.
He said that there was no pressure on people to attend funerals, that there were other ways they could express their condolences, such as making a phone call, sending cards or flowers.
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