Olson Funeral and Crematory Services’ Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

UPDATED March 26, 2020 — We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time to lose a loved one and want you to know that we are here for you now just like we have been since 1888. We understand that the guidelines below greatly affect the ability to hold or attend funeral services. We understand how difficult the COVID-19 situation is for all, especially those who are grieving during this time and we recognize that any delays in a funeral, memorial or final gathering also delays your natural grieving and healing process. While we can’t ask you to “pause” your grief, we will make every possible effort to support you during this difficult time.

Olson Funeral and Crematory Services’ priority is the safety, well-being and health of our families, communities and caring professional staff. We are actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation to ensure a safe place for the families we serve and we are taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of any illnesses.

Olson is strictly following social distancing requirements for all events, locations and interactions, as recommended by our health departments and the State of Illinois.

Our Comfort Care:

Arrangement consultations. Our funeral directors and pre-planning advisors have technology to initiate and complete arrangements over the phone, eliminating or reducing in person consultation time. We ask that all in-person arrangements be limited to 1 or 2 family members.

Visitations and funerals. Our funeral home locations are available for public or private use, attendance will be discussed with each family. We are strongly encouraging private family services with a memorial service in the future. We are staggering on-site gatherings and will not have back-to-back or multiple services happening in one location. This allows us to clean the facility between each family. We ask that guests refrain from bringing any food products to our facilities.

Off-site guidelines. We will or have contacted area churches and facilities to understand their guidelines and restrictions for services. Please contact us.

Cemetery guidelines. We will or have contacted area cemeteries to understand their guidelines and restrictions for graveside services. Please contact us.

Technology capabilities. We have online arrangement collaboration software that reduces your need to come into the funeral home until it is time for your service. We have on-site and off-site capabilities of recording and streaming services.

Death announcements. Our website is able to announce current deaths and future events. There is no charge for this service. The Rockford Register Star is graciously re-publishing any current paid obituary in the future at no cost to the family.

Condolences, What do you do if you cannot attend a service?

 • Share online condolences. Even if you can’t attend services in-person, you can still show your support by leaving a message on your loved one’s online guestbook. To do so, navigate to www.olsonfh.com, find or search your loved one’s name and click their obituary. To the left of the obituary you will be able to share a memory, photo, or video. We will make sure every family sees your words of sympathy.
 • Consider having a memorial tree planted. You can do this through our website following the directions above or locally through the Rockford Park District. Call the funeral home for more information.
 • Send an email to hugs@olsonfh.com, we will make sure the family hears your message.
 • Consider sending flowers to either the funeral home holding services or directly to a family member’s home.

In addition, we are operating with the following health and safety measures in place:

 • Our locations will follow increased infection prevention and control precautions, per CDC/OSHA guidelines. While cleanliness is always a top priority for our five locations, we have increased our public and workspace sanitation schedules and frequency.
 • All employees are instructed to stay home in the event of illness. Employees are to refrain from coming to work should they feel any symptoms of COVID-19, influenza or any other illness.
 • We ask all individuals to assess their own health before visiting one of our facilities.
 • The CDC has issued guidelines on hygiene when it comes to funerals and we will be following that protocol.

We will continue to keep you informed and these guidelines are subject to updates or changes. We're here to assist families 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling any of locations.

All inquiries should be directed to Scott Olson, phone: 815-963-6521.