PM Jacinda Ardern: Change our bereavement policy at Level 4 Lockdown

If we can safely socially distance to go to the supermarket - then people who've lost loved ones should be allowed the dignity of socially distanced funerals/burials. We're calling on NZ's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to change the current bereavement policy at L4. 

We need safe protocol for funerals as there are for supermarkets

Some suggestions for our policy makers to consider:

• Outdoor socially distanced funeral at burial site with small numbers 
• Drive up car based funerals, where you drive up to a destination and a procession takes place over a PA system and you stay put within your vehicle/bubble
• Queue system for small numbers (as per the supermarket) to farewell loved ones at burial/cremation site
• A system like when visiting the GP's office, wait in the car until you get a text to farewell/send off at burial or cremation site - to safely organise mourners

Funeral homes are currently carrying the burden of farewelling the deceased, they see firsthand the cruelty and pain inflicted when grieving people are not able to farewell loved ones with dignity and grace.

Losing a loved one is brutal enough but not being able to say goodbye is unnecessarily heartless and traumatic.

There needs to be more compassion and common sense when it comes to send offs and funerals in level 4 lockdown.