Olson Funeral and Cremation Services’ Response to COVID-19, IL Phase 4

UPDATED June 29, 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 affect how we hold visitations and funeral services. We understand how difficult the 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. For this reason and many others, we have become creative in the ways in which we provide comfort to the families we serve.

Olson Funeral and Crematory Services’ priority is the safety, well-being and health of our families, communities we serve, and our caring professional staff. Olson is strictly following the protocol and policies set forth by the State of Illinois and we will never be more "open" than state guidelines. We are closely monitoring the situation and may be more restrictive at times given current local conditions.

What to Expect When Attending a Funeral, Memorial, Visitation, or Graveside Service:

• You will be expected to have a mask on at all times, please come prepared.
• You will be expected to keep social distance from others, you may sit with your family. We are happy to rearrange seating to accomodate you.
• Capacity is limited, please understand that there may be a wait to enter a visitation and you may not be allowed to attend a service if you are not immediate family.
• Please do not arrive early as we need time to clean and sanitize between services.
• Please do not come to a service if you are experiencing flu like symptoms. Rather, consider:
• Sharing a memory, condolence, photo, or video on the family's tribute wall.
• Sending an email to the family at hugs@olsonfh.com
• Sending a card or flowers to the family.
• Consider having a tree planted in their name. This can be done through our website or your local park district.
• All cemeteries have policies in place to adhere to guidelines and to protect their staff. Ask your funeral director what is appropriate.

Our Comfort Care:

Arrangement consultations. Our funeral directors and pre-planning advisors have collaboration software and technology to initiate and complete arrangements online over the phone, eliminating or reducing in person consultation time. Should you choose an in-person arrangement, we ask that this be limited to 1 or 2 family members who are not experiencing any flu-like symptoms and please wear a mask.

Visitations and funerals. Our funeral home locations are available for public or private use. Attendance will be discussed with each family and will be based on the location among other factors. We have the ability to record or live-stream services and visitations. We ask that guests refrain from bringing any food products into our facilities. Feel free to ask us about "passerby and moving visitations," as well as other innovative ideas meant to protect the families we serve and their guests.

Off-site guidelines. Services off-site (at a church or cemetery) will be conducted within the parameters set forth by the state or capacity restrcitions of a particular facility. We have the capability of recording or live-streaming off-site services as well.