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Hi everyone, Wow! What can I say? The last two weeks, let alone the last week, has been, well unlike anything else I or any of us have ever experienced. I’m here in my living room, social distancing, like everyone else.

I don’t want to talk to you tonight about the rules, the regulations, the recommendations and the directives. We all know what they are, and some change moment to moment. We all know to follow them in the hopes that this terrible pandemic can get under control and keep us all safe.

I wanted to come on tonight to let you know that the Zarzycki Family is here for you in your family’s time of need. Yes, we are open, different hours, different situations, but we are here. We didn’t need our governor to tell us that the funeral industry is an essential business. It has always been, is now and always will be essential.

Funerals and social distancing: two events, that normally don’t ever go hand in hand. However, right now, this is how it is. We have been advised by our national and state associations, as well as local and federal authorities, to have families not hug, refrain from shaking hands and to keep their distance. As well as to keep their gatherings to 10 and under.

We get it! This is not our industry. Please know, we don’t do or ask these things by choice. We are huggers, hand-shakers, and comforters. When someone has lost a loved one, these simple gestures are a sign of comfort, peace, support. The funeral is a ritual, practiced by every single person, of every single faith and creed throughout our world. Wakes and funerals provide the opportunity for family and friends to gather in prayer, in song, exchange fond memories and mourn together. This is what eases the pain, offers comfort and to let people know that they are not alone.

I frequently post an article on our social media sites by Deidra Sullivan entitled “Always Go to the Funeral” So, in these unprecedented times, what can you do if you can’t go to the funeral?

• Pick up the phone, not a text not an email, an actual phone call to someone who needs to hear from you. A friendly voice could be just what the doctor ordered. Even better if you can Facetime or Skype with them. A friendly face to go along with the message speaks wonders.
• “When you care enough to send the very best” is how Hallmark does it. Mail a card with a note to let someone know you are thinking of them and tell them you know how very difficult things are and you are there for them.
• Make a meal and drop it off. Cooking is the last thing those grieving want to do and a warm, healthy meal can do them good to keep up their strength.
• Send a flower or plant a tree in memory of someone. You can do these things on our website and the family will be notified of your kind gesture.

I think of the small village in County Kerry, Ireland that buried a resident of their town this past week. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there was no wake and the community could not attend the Church service. However, parishioners of the church lined the 2-kilometer road of the funeral procession to the cemetery to say goodbye.  THIS is how we come together. THIS is what we do as a human race.

Yes, for a while, things will be different. Services will be different. For how long, I can’t say.

But what is not different is the support, the love and the gestures we can still provide to one another in a difficult time. The professional and compassionate service we have always provided to families will also not change.

We will continue to post and share worthy information via our website and social media networks. Stay connected to us that way. As always, we are available to be reached by phone 24 hours/day, seven days a week. We are here for you and your family. For now, please stay well, stay safe. Bye for now.