While most of the population stays in quarantine, the undertakers keep working. They are private companies realizing a public interest mission. In this unique context, they keep being presents for the relatives of deceased persons, in spite of shortened services, the lack of body care and the immediate closing of coffins for the victims of COVID-19.
"Yes I'm an udertaker.
So yes at the moment I am not in quarantine.
I have to tell the families they won't be able to see the dead if he died from Coronavirus or is suspected to. That I don't know in which state they will be able to see it if he died for other reasons because we can't do conservative care anymore.”
“I have to tell them that they will have to wait, that crematoriums are at full capacity.
I have to tell them there will barely be a short remembrance, that they should come as few as possible. To not be close from each other if they come."
“ Everything must be done with not too many words nor noise. Ritual comes down to the simplest expression, farewells hidden under a prophylactic tarpaulin. ”