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Archive December 2020

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A Message to Our Members

A year end message to our members from the Board of Directors, Officers, and staff of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association. [Read the full message here]

News You Can Use: 12/22/2020 State COVID-19 Guidance Changed: Funeral Homes Subject to New Capacity Limits

State COVID-19 Guidance Changed: Funeral Homes Subject to New Capacity Limits along with Other Businesses
This afternoon Governor Charlie Baker announced new temporary restrictions that will take effect on December 26, 2020, at 12:01 AM and will remain in place until at least noon on January 10, 2021. Baker stated that state officials hope that these changes prevent a surge of cases from the upcoming holidays. [Learn More]

News You Can Use: December 18, 2020

This week we shared a Vaccinations Priority Update 12/18/2020 -- This is a recap of MFDA's discussion about priority for funeral service with Kevin Cranston, Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Services for the Commonwealth's Department of Public Health.  We also share the following:  the thoughts of colleagues who responded to a survey from the OCME regarding funeral service response to COVId-19 and challenges faced by the industry.  Several media articles addressed funeral service in the pandemic, including a notable article from the Wall Street Journal about how it's changing both death and life; Holiday Hours for the Boston Burial Permit Office; and the weekly community-level data. [Learn More]

News You Can Use: December 11, 2020

MFDA News: Inside Edition for 12/11/2020 -- In this issue we remind funeral directors that funeral service is not affected by the state's roll back to Step 1/Phase 3, but may affect graveside services. Other information includes:  Vaccines near approval and Governor announces distribution plan; Surge indicators are seen in MWRA wastewater;  There was a big jump in number of high-risk communities last week. [Learn More]

News You Can Use: December 4, 2020

This week we share what we know about how the COVID-19 vaccination will work for funeral professionals who wish to receive it. We also have information about; the rising number of cases linked to religious gatherings; the shortened length of quarantine recommended by the CDC; which communities are designated higher-risk this week; and what it could cost the MI funeral home at the center of a Supreme Court discrimination case.  [Learn More]
 

News You Can Use: December 1, 2020

The Supreme Court ruling does not appear to affect Massachusetts guidance for houses of worship.  Gov. Baker does not foresee more state restrictions at this time. This week we also shared a link to our information about contact tracing and exposure for funeral establishments; shared a link to our information about COVID-19 testing sites.  We informed you that R.I. has temporarily banned indoor funeral services; reminded you that some mourners coming to MA for a funeral may be exempt from the travel restrictions; and provided information about requesting USAF military honors for some areas of Western Mass. [Learn More]

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