RESPONDING TO COVID-19

We are sensitive to the growing concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19) and understand how important it is to contain the spread of the virus at this early stage. We support the actions taken by municipal, provincial and federal governments and take our role in the community in this effort seriously. We are therefore implementing measures to minimize the health risks for both visitors to our properties and employees.

THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ARE NOW IN PLACE

• To assist our community in containing the spread of this virus we are restricting attendance at visitations and funerals to a maximum of 10 persons. We will not allow receptions or the serving of any food. We understand that this will be difficult for some and suggest that you talk to our professional staff about the option of postponing services until the current situation is resolved. Please note that while services can be postponed, the burial or cremation of the deceased cannot and must take place within a week of death. 
• We ask that families meeting with our staff to arrange funerals or burials, limit the number of family members attending the meeting to two persons.
• As there is no public health requirement for the immediate burial of cremated remains, this temporary policy is being enacted to help minimize unnecessary gatherings and therefore reduce the risk of the spread of the virus; effective immediately, the scheduling of inurnments or burial of cremated remains is prohibited until such time as the current COVID-19 crisis has passed and government restrictions on public gatherings have been lifted.
• For the safety of visitors and our staff we have arranged for more frequent cleaning and sanitizing of our buildings.
• Making antiviral products, such as hand sanitizer, available to visitors and employees.
• We have also placed signage throughout our buildings recommending that visitors avoid close personal contact such as hand shaking.
• All visitors and employees are being asked to respect social distancing protocols, whether attending a small funeral gathering (10 persons or less) or meeting with a member of our staff.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Our employees are essential to our continued operations and their health is a top concern. That is why we have issued the following additional guidelines, which remain in effect until further notice:

• Regularly reminding all employees about the hygiene practices they should adopt to prevent the spread of the virus, specifically frequent hand-washing.
• All employees who can work from home are encouraged to do so.
• All business meetings will be held by Teleconference.
• We also recommend that all personal travel abroad scheduled to take place between now and April 30 be cancelled.

Our Pandemic Planning Committee meets daily to assess the level of risk associated with COVID-19 and make sure the appropriate procedures have been implemented and explained to employees and visitors.

It is important for us to work together to help prevent the spread of illness. To keep us all healthy, we encourage everyone to observe the following prevention methods recommended by Health Canada:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow – not your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If you feel sick, STAY HOME.
• Avoid close contact with people who seem sick.
• For a high fever or difficulty breathing, call your doctor immediately to get advice.