Olson Funeral and Crematory Services’ Response to COVID-19

UPDATED April 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 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 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 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.

Visitations and funerals. Our funeral home locations are available for public or private use, attendance will be discussed with each family. We have the ability to record or live-stream services and visitations.  A memorial service in the future is also an option. 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. Services off-site (at a church or cemetery) will be conducted within the parameters set forth by Federal, State, and Local governments.We have the capability of recording or live-streaming off-site services as well.

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?

 • Express 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.

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