Dear Friends,
Little more than a week ago, we wrote to let you know that we were not able to perform in-person funerals or memorial services. We were following the guidelines implemented by the Seattle- King County Public Health Department. Regulations permitted only “direct burial,” without any mourners or officiants present.
We are pleased to report that the Governor has modified this order. We may now have a very small number of mourners for a graveside ceremony, from the immediate family only and preferably from the same household, provided that they observe strictly social distancing requirements. A rabbi may be present.
We very much appreciate the Governor’s flexibility, permitting the bereaved to gather briefly at graveside, while also balancing the acute need to protect the living.
In keeping with that spirit, we will offer each family that suffers a loss during this time options that best suit their needs and desires. Some may wish a short graveside ceremony with immediate family only; others may wish a virtual memorial service streamed on a platform like Zoom; others may wish only a call or videoconference with our rabbis or an in-person deferred to a time in the future. For those who wish a streamed service, we will offer options to stream privately to family members only, or to include a broader option in our congregational death notice so that others may join.
We know that cards, calls and emails are not a complete substitute for human contact, but we are confident in our community’s ability to offer solace in creative ways at this challenging time.
Another change is that our mausoleum is closed. While the cemetery remains open, the recent order by Governor Inslee to Stay Home, Stay Healthy, means that generally no visits should take place until that order is lifted. If you do walk through the cemetery at this time, or after the order is lifted, we ask that all who visit follow health department guidelines, including observing social distancing (no closer than 6 feet for 10 minutes). We also ask that anyone who is sick not visit the cemetery, and that anyone who has been exposed to or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 remain in quarantine as the public health department has required. Above all, we want to protect the health of our staff and visitors, consistent with our primary value of pikuach nefesh, the saving and safeguarding of human life.
If you have any questions about these policies and practices, please contact Jennifer Phillips, Executive Assistant to the Clergy, at jphillips@tdhs-nw.org or 206-323-8486. She can answer your questions or arrange for you to speak with one of us.
Wishing you health and peace at this unsettling time,
Rabbi Daniel Weiner
Rabbi CB Souther
Rabbi Avi Fine