Church Funeral Policy
(during COVID-19)

For Christians, gathering to mourn the dead, celebrate their lives and proclaim the hope of Resurrection are essential practices of our faith. During the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 outbreak, our usual mourning rituals have been interrupted.

We think of those women on that first Easter, who went to follow their familiar mourning ritual to anoint Jesus’s body, to find it disrupted. We remember their initial shock and confusion and we feel it too. We are waiting to feel the hope of resurrection. In times of trial, like the death of a loved one, we turn to the familiar practices and rituals of our faith and ancestors. And so, we know that this disruption for a grieving community is doubly hard. We grieve this disruption with you.

On March 10, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker declared a State of Emergency and then limited gatherings to no more than 10 people. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended no gatherings larger than 10 people. The West Tisbury Board of Health also limits gatherings to no more than 10 family members. 

Until the State of Emergency is lifted for Massachusetts, we will be limited in our funeral practices in the following ways:

Funeral/Memorial: We are not able to host a funeral/memorial service at the church at this time.

Graveside:  We are able to host a graveside service outdoors and require that all people practice social distancing of 6 feet between one another. We are able to accommodate 10 people from the immediate family to be present and require that all 10 people gather in a circle and practice social distancing of 6 feet between one another.  You are welcome to livestream the service. Please understand that the minister cannot break the 6-foot rule to offer comfort and consolation.

Reception: We are not able to host a reception following the graveside service at this time. The family should limit the size of any home gathering to avoid spreading the virus and consider postponing the gathering to a time when the crisis is past.

Pastoral Care: Our minister, along with other clergy and trained spiritual counselors in our congregation, is available for pastoral care to family and friends of the deceased. This pastoral care will be offered by phone call or by Zoom videoconference call. Our Church Administrator can assist you in scheduling pastoral care.

Planning for a Service at a Later Date: While we are limited in what we are able to host at this time, we are able to plan for memorials after the pandemic has passed. We would welcome the opportunity to host a service for your loved one at a later date when we can all safely gather and celebrate your loved one’s life. Please contact our Church Administrator to discuss scheduling, even as we are uncertain when we will be able to gather in groups again.

For more information, please contact the Church office at 508-693-2842 or wtiscong@comcast.net.