NPR's Noel King talks to Rosalynn Bliss, mayor of Grand Rapids, Mich., about the state lifting all outdoor COVID-19 restrictions this week ahead of plans to fully reopen the state next month.
(Graphic: WOOD-TV) Theaters, schools, stores, houses of worship and most restaurants and bars can have larger crowds than are allowed at Michigan funerals. I can have more people attend the funeral luncheon than the funeral, says Matt Hollebeek, vice president of a Grand Rapids group of three funeral homes, quoted by TV station WOOD. Visitations and funerals have been capped at 25 people since fall under Covid safety rules, regardless of building size. This often forces mourners to rotate in shifts or to attend via livestreaming. This was so hard because . you had to pick and choose who could come to the funeral, Diana Lyon-Schumacher of Traverse City tells WPBN in her hometown. Her 46-year-old daughter, elementary teacher Jennifer Johnson, died last month from cancer. We have a huge immediate family and just a humungous extended family, the mother adds. The funeral was livestreamed and an outdoor celebration of her life will follow in August.
Mar 10, 2021
Funeral home owners are starting to get frustrated with restriction that have funeral capacity capped at 25 people.
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes Vice President Matt Hollebeek says they can currently have more people attend a funeral luncheon than the funeral.
Hollebeek says its defeating to reach out to the state health department and Governor Whitmer and only get generic responses.
Michigan currently has one of the most restrictive funeral capacity limits.
Ohio has no limits. Minnesota is allowing 50 percent capacity. Illinois allows 50 people at a funeral.
View the full story on WOOD TV