Update

The health and wellbeing of the client families and community we serve, as well as our caring team here at Morris & Morris funerals, is our highest priority. We also need to be very aware of the contact we have with others and how that may affect extended family and friends, particularly the elderly.

We continue to monitor the situation daily through our membership of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand, who are in regular contact with the Ministry of Health. The FDANZ have put out guidance and safeguard information which we are adhering to.

The Government has banned indoor gatherings of 100 people or more during the virus outbreak. This will affect funeral gatherings. There are however a number of alternatives to a full gatherings and we would be happy to discuss these with you. One of the best ways to reach people who may not be able to attend the funeral is via our live streaming option, which during this current period of disruption we are offering free of charge to every family we serve.

At this stage, while funerals are going ahead, even with the current restrictions, we ask that families consider ways to reduce possible exposure and spread of this virus. Holding smaller gatherings can reduce the exposure to the virus and the option of a memorial service at a future date may work for you better. In all cases we will be advising our client families according to their individual needs. A funeral as part of a meaningful farewell remain vitally important to our emotional and mental wellbeing.

Most importantly we must ask that anyone who is experiencing flu-like symptoms or who have recently returned from travel, especially from hot-spot countries (e.g: China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Italy & Spain) consider not attending funerals during this uncertain period.

Our natural tendency at a time of grief is to hug and embrace and give comfort to our loved ones. We know that COVID-19 spreads through such action so we ask that you refrain from close contact during the funeral.