Looking for a solution that would allow loved ones to go through the grieving process amid the changes that the COVID-19 to funeral services, the San Luis Funeral Home and Chapels in Arecibo has managed to garner attention with its innovative ‘Serviauto Funeral’.
Last Wednesday, the first wake took place there and with it the inauguration of this new “virtual chapel”. It was that of a woman, funeral director Miguel Concepción said.
“So this project was born as a result of COVID-19. Obviously we didn’t do it in 2020 because we didn’t know how to go about it given the uncertainty of this monster called COVID. Well, unfortunately, in the face of the loss of a family and these unknown persons, this forced the family to come for the cremation and many families did not give them the opportunity to say goodbye to that loved one. Why? Firstly, the undertakers only worked to collect bodies and given COVID we didn’t know if they would be embalmed, if it was something healthy. Well, for many families, that grieving period was skipped,” the undertaker said.
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He said that since the pandemic began, families have chosen to bury the deceased immediately or cremate them. He pointed out that they occasionally chose between an hour and half a day for a vigil in the chapels. This changed the landscape, because families used to wake up at funerals.
In the face of this transformation, the funeral home offers the relatives of people who have died from contagious diseases such as COVID-19 the opportunity not to be afraid of conducting their funeral. But he said it will also help people on low incomes or those who want a different wake to be able to provide a dignified service.
Concepción explained that funerals, in general, can cost upwards of $3,000. But this “serviauto burial” costs between $1,800 and $2,000, depending on whether the person is cremated or buried and whether they choose to rent or buy a coffin.
In this “exhibition capsule” the deceased is buried in his coffin and with his flowers. Through a glass, people can drive or walk to pay tribute, say their prayers, and see him for the last time.
“A funeral director friend of mine said some very true words that people should spend money to live, not to die. Exactly, that’s what it’s for, so you don’t have to spend too much, but you have something of value. Because in this chapel a deceased is treated as the chapel is treated inside, normal. It doesn’t need to look like it’s in a display case like people say. It’s a virtual chapel, it has its air conditioning, it has everything like an internal chapel,” said Concepción.
The undertaker pointed out that people can stand in front of the deceased for as long as they want. But if there is traffic congestion, they would limit the minutes of this process.
People can also pass the funeral service at the Funeraria San Luis in Arecibo. (included)Meanwhile, he reported that people not in line to see the deceased can crowd into some tents set up outdoors. There will be the book that people usually sign when they go to a funeral and take the memory card with them.
The funeral home is also in the process of installing cameras so people can follow the wakes being held there online. He commented that this is why it is called the “virtual chapel”.
Where did the idea come from?
The idea for this “Serviauto Funeral” came from the funeral home owner, retired doctor and son of the founder, José Martínez González.
His proposal was particularly aimed at treating cases of COVID-19, as there have been dozens of cases where the family has expressed fear of exposing themselves to funerals. He noted that this meant many “couldn’t have the dignified moment to look after their loved ones after not being able to see them in the hospital.”
“I said, ‘I have to come up with something to give the family this worthy wake so they can at least say goodbye and see the family member.’ I started this and later found out that there is a funeral home in California that made a “serviauto” for the pandemic and has registered a lot of funerals that way,” the doctor added.
He pointed out that this service will help people get rid of the fear of contracting COVID-19. In addition, it will allow wakes for motorcycles or stationary motorcycles, which were fashionable on the island a decade ago.
“This concept allows us to have something innovative for the future,” specified the owner, noting that it was also the first funeral home to run on solar panels.
“We cannot stagnate and that is why I want to lead my funeral home into the future,” he concluded.