COVID changed weddings and funerals and that could last for another year
For Derrick Suarez, the calls may be fewer but the planning must go on.
The wedding planner says the days of the big 250-guest parties are on hold as smaller, even outdoor ceremonies will likely continue as the norm until COVID is no longer a threat.
“Right now we’re taking care until things change and planning through the end of the year as if COVID standards will still be in practice,” said Suarez, who is handling at least 21 weddings through 2022.
“I’d love to see it get back to normal, but what we’re seeing are micro-weddings with 50 guests or less, shorter ceremonies, and more weddings outdoors," Suarez. "That's going to probably continue into next year."
Even with the prospect of COVID possibly fading away, masks, shorter services, virtual ceremonies will likely remain as much as a discussion point for planning weddings as food samples or dresses for brides-to-be. Some of those changes, such as virtual services, are likely to continue once COVID begins to fade and any CDC recommendations are lifted.
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Looking ahead, those overseeing lifecycle events like weddings, funerals, and even special worship services see a future of virtual services, outdoor ceremonies, and continued social distancing in the wake of the coronavirus.
Virtual services have already taken the place of in-person fellowship. Religious leaders work to connect older members with other members of the community with outdoor celebrations, while funeral home directors work on non-traditional ways to honor the wishes of families in mourning while implementing social distancing.
At the Chabad of the Space and Treasure Coasts, Rabbi Zvi Konikov now seeks counsel from medical professionals as he readies for holy days like Passover for the foreseeable future.
“Things are changing so quickly. So we are sure to seek advice. And that’s important,” Konikov said, who is looking at possibly providing meals to go again this year for Passover - an eight-day holiday typically marked by ingathering and community meals. Going forward, the congregation sees restrictions continuing into next year, with limited virtual presentations - with the exception of high holidays and the sabbath - along with mandatory masks and social distancings.
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Life must go on, Konikov says, adding that the synagogue will continue its outreach mission to ensure the community remains connected.
In the COVID era, sabbath services, for example, are shorter at the Chabad center’s Satellite Beach location. Also, the norm, opening windows with most people remaining outside to hear as the rabbi chants prayers through his own mask.
While COVID has changed how weddings and faith services are done, the pandemic will continue to touch how the dead are handled and memorialized, at least through next year, said Jan Stone, director of the 98-year-old Stone Funeral Home based in Cocoa.
The lasting changes will continue to be emotionally challenging for families as the adaptations become more entrenched, Stone says. She adds that there will be a continuation of virtual services, which has now become standard for many funerals.
Stone said if the deceased had tested positive for COVID, they are either cremated or buried without a service.
"Some families are not happy with that," she said, pointing out that for her predominantly black clientele, cremations are seen as non-traditional.
Services will also likely continue to be shortened, with virtual memorials becoming more common, Stone said.
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"Outside of cremations, the majority of the services are graveside. Some churches are not even allowing full funerals right now," Stone said, who expects the venue limitations to continue. "That means families are not about to say goodbye to their loved ones as they want."
Stone is hopeful that the vaccines will work but sees many of the changes the virus has brought as being lasting, from sanitizing efforts to virtual services. "I do think the virus will still be around and we expect things to be as they are through the year," Stone said.
"I'd love to see it get back to normal."
J.D. Gallop is a Criminal Justice/Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jdgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.