At Nelson Bros Funeral Services, our first priority is the health and safety of the families we serve, our staff, and members of the general community. Please be aware we are currently following the direction of the the Federal and State Governments.
(Last updated Friday 29th October 2021)
This is a difficult and constantly changing time for all, but we are particularly sensitive to those who recently lost someone close to them and are grieving or mourning following the death. We are very sorry for your loss.
Please note that under the Victorian Government's COVIDSafe Settings guidelines, we have a COVID Safe Plan in place.
Following government advice to reduce the risk of the virus’s spread, we have implemented a number of precautions:
Face Masks
Face Masks must be worn indoors at all times.
Funeral Numbers
Under Phase C of the Victorian Government Roadmap (where 80% of all adults over the age of 16 are double dose COVID vaccinations - Friday 29th October 6pm), the number attending a funeral is dependent upon vaccination status.
The person arranging the funeral must decide at the time of the arrangement whether the funeral will be classified as "fully vaccinated" or as "unknown vaccination status/unvaccinated".
Where all attending are fully vaccinated, the indoor funeral venue has a density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres. This equates to approximately one quarter of a typical capacity. An outdoor funeral has a density quotient of 1 person per 2 square metres. All people attending (aged 16 years or older) must be fully vaccinated and provide a COVID certificate at the time of the funeral.
Our funeral home chapel capacity for fully vaccinated during this phase is Elsternwick (25), Footscray (45), Hoppers Crossing (25), Sunshine (45) and Williamstown (45).
Where vaccination status is unknown or unvaccinated, there is a maximum of 30 people indoors and outdoors.
If a person cannot provide a COVID certificate at the time of the funeral, then they are classified as unknown or unvaccinated.
A density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres applies indoors and 1 person per 2 square metres outdoors.
Our funeral home chapel capacity for unknown or unvaccinated during this phase is Elsternwick (25), Footscray (30), Hoppers Crossing (25), Sunshine (30) and Williamstown (30).
If a person cannot provide a COVID certificate at the time of the funeral, then they are classified as unknown or unvaccinated.
A density quotient of 1 person per 4 square metres applies
Click here for further information how to get your COVID-19 Digital Certificate prior to the funeral.
It is a government requirement for us to record the name and contact details of every person who attends a service for tracing purposes using the Services Victoria App. Please ensure you have the App downloaded before attending a funeral.
Click here for further information about the Services Victoria App.
For the health & safety of all, we ask that you communicate with those planning to attend the funeral who are unwell or at high risk to COVID-19 that they should not attend. This includes those who have had close contact with a confirmed case.
These government regulations are enforceable by fines to individuals as well as to corporations. We are unable to allow a funeral service to commence where there are more attending than the government restrictions allow. Please support us on in communicating this strongly with those who may attend the service.
Some of our service offerings may be limited during this time.
Under Phase D of the Victorian Government Roadmap (where 90% of all persons aged 12 over are double dose COVID vaccinations - estimated around 24th November), restrictions will be further reduced, including the removal of density quotients, capacity limits and mask wearing. We will update this information closer to the date.
Funeral Arrangements
At our funeral home, we are able to meet in person for the funeral arrangement.
Via Video Conference, we can have any number of family members join us separately via video. We use Microsoft Teams for our Video Arrangement Meetings.
We can also arrange the funeral with you over the phone.
To assist you with the funeral arrangements, you can use our Online Planning Tool to provide us with the personal data in advance. This can be done here.
This website provides a large range of information to help plan your funeral. We encourage you to spend time looking through it to understand our range of products and services, and for new ideas.
Meaningful Funerals during COVID-19 Restrictions
Ceremony
Funeral ceremonies exist across all cultures because of their power to help families with their grief. A ceremony, whether small, intimate and private, or following your religious or cultural traditions, is an important step following the death of someone close to you. Having a service that is meaningful will provide a respectful goodbye can still take place during the current restrictions, with eulogies, music, and other forms of remembrance.
The funeral ceremony:
Helps us acknowledge that someone we love has died.
Fosters our memories of the person who died and encourages us to share those memories with others.
Offers a time and place for us to talk about the life and death of the person who died.
Provides a social support system for us and other friends and family members.
Allows us to search for the meaning of life and death.
Offers continuity and hope for the living.
Viewing
Unfortunately, the pandemic is wreaking havoc with how families deal with a family member dying. Many can’t visit those who are dying (of COVID-10 or any cause) in the hospital, and distant family members can’t travel to be near. It’s much harder to acknowledge the reality of the death when you never see the person who died. Now, more than ever, Nelson Bros provides all families with the opportunity to spend your own private time at one of our funeral homes with the one you have lost.
Tribute Wall
All Nelson Bros funerals have their own personal online tribute page. They are particularly helpful for posting tribute videos, photos, obituary, poems and other elements that would be typically be done at the funeral. It also enables those who cannot attend to share their support at this time.
Webcasting
Funerals held at any location including all our funeral homes may be live streamed. A link to the webcast is posted on the Tribute Wall.
It’s important for families to acknowledge your loss as opposed to moving on to avoid painful emotions. Think of this display as a substitute for a memory table at a funeral. The process of gathering items and photos can be a positive way to bring a much-needed sense of healing.
Flowers
Many industries are being challenged in the current environment, none more so than florists. We hope you can support them. Our partners at Flowers Vasette have introduced extra products and services, all with direct home delivery. These include their full floral range, but also indoor plants, their own beautiful range of scented candles, and care packages including fresh fruit and other produce. Think about extended family and friends impacted by the loss who could benefit from this. Click here to purchase directly.
Our Partners
Nelson Bros is working closely with our valued staff and others involved at our funerals, including celebrants, churches and cemeteries. We are focused on ensuring their safety as well as yours.
Memorial Services following the Shutdown
We acknowledge that COVID restrictions mean that you may not have been able to have the type of funeral you might otherwise have. In recognition of this and of the importance of funerals to families, we are committed to providing at no extra charge an additional Memorial Service to all families who experienced a death during the COVID restrictions and were unable to host a funeral service.
This Memorial Service would be held at any one of our funeral homes now that restrictions are lifted. Thank you for supporting us at this challenging time.
Yours Sincerely
Adrian Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Nelson Bros Funeral Services
Please note this was accurate at the time of writing. This is a time of constant change and many updates to government regulations. We will do our best to constantly keep you up to date.
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