(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.
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The âThree Treesâ will remain lit through January in remembrance of loved ones whose memory remains with those who knew them.
Special to the Record-Eagle/Peg Jonkhoff
Lindsey Jonkhoff Rogers is a 6th generation funeral director at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Her team recently held a virtual tree lighting ceremony which illuminated three trees to represent strength, hope and perseverance.
Special to the Record-Eagle
Dan Jonkhoff, Christy Jonkhoff Hater, Peg Jonkhoff and Lindsey Jonkhoff Rogers at the memorial tree lighting earlier this month.
Special to the Record-Eagle
TRAVERSE CITY â The holidays, and their focus on family, can be a painfully poignant time for those that recently or not-so-recently lost a loved one.