The pandemic of 2020 will undoubtedly go down in history. Like many difficult moments to go through together, we will remember each and every one of those few months when we had to stay at home and practice social distancing, for the good of one and all. Listening carefully to government and Public Safety orders, we had to change our pace and lifestyle, limiting ourselves to the essentials. Among the list of essential services, we find funeral complexes, which are the last respondents in care services.

A bit of history 

History reminds us that this is not the first pandemic for the Earth's population. For example, the Spanish Flu (or influenza pandemic) of 1918 and 1919 was devastating. One third of the world's population was affected and no region on the planet was spared. In those times when communication and travel were less accessible, it was more difficult to say "goodbye", or to support one another. Although bereavement is always a very difficult period to go through, we now have well-established structures and services that enable us to deal with it better. From a funeral ritual that has been somewhat modified to respect government orders, to mourning in the weeks or even months that follow, our methods and technology today enable us to grieve for our loved ones differently and in complete safety.

Grieving 2.0

Although a screen can never replace human warmth or the welcoming arms of our loved ones, technology nevertheless has some positive aspects. In the age of social networking and video conferencing apps, technology gives people in the same family or other loved ones opportunities to talk to and see each other, without necessarily being together. Confinement forces people to limit their movements, yet talking and seeing loved ones on a regular basis can be very beneficial in times of grief.

Moreover, with the accessibility of social networks, mourning goes beyond traditional rituals and is becoming more collective, more communal. Families take more time to write long messages of support, recalling memories and anecdotes, or simply sending large doses of virtual affection. Sometimes the mere fact of knowing that someone is thinking of us and sending us their support can really brighten up a gloomy day. Social networks that are often perceived negatively can also make a difference in difficult times.

Our services, even in times of a health crisis

At Complexe Funéraire Aeterna, our goal is to support our clients with all the necessary respect and professionalism AND to follow the rules that have been issued, so we have modified our operations somewhat. Please note that we always offer the choice of burial or cremation in order to respect the beliefs and last wishes of the deceased. We also organize small private ceremonies for people who so request. These ceremonies are limited to 10 people and we encourage people to avoid hugs. Nodding heads or placing a hand on the heart in addressing the bereaved is highly recommended. We do our utmost to offer you the same quality service and the help you need to get through this difficult period. For more details, contact one of our counsellors, offering services in 13 different languages, at 514-228-1888.