A notice to our families
Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home & Cremation Services Is Prepared to Safely Care For Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Grand Ledge, Michigan - Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home & Cremation Services remains committed and prepared to safely care for the families it serves during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whenever possible, Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home & Cremation Services will continue to enable families to participate in the rituals that are most important to them.
And according to the CDC, at this time, there is no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of confirmed or suspected COVID-19; however, federal, state and local public health guidance may impact the size of gathering a family is able to plan. Depending on a family's preferences, their loved one can be safely embalmed. Families may chose either burial or cremation as usual. "At Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home & Cremation Services, we recognize our responsibility to protect the health of those we are privileged to serve," said Jason Barclay, President "We will continue to guide families, _as we always have, in ways they can meaningfully commemorate the life of their loved one, while adhering to the guidance issued by federal, state and local public health officials."
Barclay continued: "Our staff remains vigilant about cleaning our facilities and ensuring we're all following recommended healthy habits, such as staying home when sick, washing our hands, and covering coughs and sneezes. The CDC and our state and local public health officials have offered a lot of helpful guidance for businesses on this topic, which we continue to follow."
A digital recording can also be made available for family members, friends and community members so they can participate in honoring those who have passed away. Memories and condolences can also be posted at the funeral home's website. The funeral home can also provide in an electronic format a "Hugs from Home" message card which will give the public the ability to send personal messages to the families who have lost a loved one and unfortunately, will not be able to attend the ceremony. These card will be given to the family as a cherished treasure.
As a member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home & Cremation Services regularly receives information via NFDA from the CDC, Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies about the evolution of COVID-19 in the United States. NFDA continues to lead the conversation with federal officials about the role of funeral service as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If the staff of Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home & Cremation Services can be of assistance, please contact us at 517-627-2531, www.holihanatkin.com, [email protected] or Facebook.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
We are working with stakeholder groups to get their input on ways we can best provide this assistance, and to enlist their help with outreach to families and communities. FEMA will begin to implement COVID-19 funeral assistance in April.
Additional guidance is being finalized and will be released to potential applicants and community partners as soon as possible. In the meantime, people who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are encouraged to keep and gather documentation.