COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19

National Update & Resources

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Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people who have been affected by COVID-19. We recognize that FSAC members across Canada are seeking guidance on how to best serve families, protect their staff and as a business, remain ahead of the pandemic. These are difficult times for all, but together we will get through this. 


Please know that we are vigilantly monitoring COVID-19 pandemic around the clock and are committed to providing you with the most updated information as it becomes available. As such, we have created a dedicated page on our national website to direct our members to provincial, federal and international resources. We will continue to update this with the information we receive and the conversations we have with Canadian officials on your behalf.

How to get vaccinated


For information on the vaccination rollout plans in your province or territory, please refer to your provincial or territorial website:



GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

Compassionate Entry Protocols

Travellers can now seek approval for an exemption from the border restrictions and a limited release from the mandatory quarantine period for compassionate reasons.


>> Read More

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

The Government of Canada is taking immediate action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Support for individuals and businesses are included in this plan.


>> Read the Economic Response Plan

Additional Support for Canadian Businesses

The Government of Canada is making additional investments to support Canadian businesses by supporting financial institutions and allow them to provide credit and liquidity options.


>> See Additional Support

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

The new CEWS application is now open. It aims to prevent further job losses, encourage employers to re-hire workers who were laid off, and help businesses  following the crisis. 


>> Apply for CEWS Here

Information on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

There are a number of updated resources available on our website for the public, as well as for health professionals, including our Outbreak Update and the COVID-19 Virtual Assistant: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 


>> Read More


Minister of Seniors Update: Safe Restart Agreement

A newly announced federal investment, made through the Safe Restart Agreement, promises to help protect those most at risk, like seniors, and make our country more resilient to possible future outbreaks.


>> Read More

IN THE NEWS

Help measure the impact of COVID-19 on health of Funeral Service Workers in Canada

May 26, 2020

Preventive Medicine at the University of Alberta is conducting a study to help determine the impact of working during the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian Funeral Service Workers. We invite you to take part. Participation is entirely voluntary.

>> Complete Survey Here

Lack of personal protective equipment a challenge for Canada's funeral providers

May 24, 2020
OTTAWA -- The Funeral Association of Canada says a lack of personal protective equipment is one of the biggest challenges facing funeral service providers across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What About the Last Responders?

May 21, 2020

There’s an outbreak of COVID-19 and no visitors are allowed in the care home where my mom lives. A recent update from the care-home manager included a link to a local newspaper article with the headline, “Community association donates 450 COVID care packs to front-line workers.”

>> Read the full article

Allan Cole Funeral Association Of Canada VP - Economic Impact On Industry & PPE Challenges

May 20, 2020

Allan Cole, FSAC Vice President, speaks on the economic impact on the industry and PPE challenges at Your VOCM.

>> Listen to interview

One third of funeral providers don't have enough PPEs for COVID-19 deaths: survey

May 19, 2020

LONDON, ONT -- The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) is sounding the alarm regarding access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for funeral providers.

>> Read the full article

Interim Guidance Released from Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

April 27, 2020
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has been working with FSAC to update interim guidance for death care professionals and has published these on their website below:
Public Health Agency of Canada to Host Teleconference for Death Care Workers
April 27, 2020
With the new Guidance in effect, Public Health will host a teleconference on Friday, May 1, 2020. This call will cover guidance on a wide variety of sectors, including death care services. To attend, you must email PHAC with your name, title and address of each person attending. Time of call to be announced.
>> RSVP Here
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Application is Now Open
April 27, 2020
The Government of Canada's new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) application is now open. This is to help employers through COVID-19 challenges.
FSAC Creates Survey to Help with Government & Other Discussions
April 24, 2020
FSAC created a short survey for Canadian funeral professionals to complete to assist with ongoing discussions with the Government, media and more.

Last day to complete survey is Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
How the Funeral Profession is Changing Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 21, 2020
Funerals and final goodbyes have been put on hold due to the pandemic. Funeral Services Association of Canada's Brett Watson explains.
Funeral Directors Deemed 'Federally Essential' Following FSAC Letter
April 17, 2020
Following a letter from the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC), Public Safety Canada deemed Funeral Directors federally essential.
>> Read the full article
FSAC Sends Message to all Canadian Funeral Professionals
April 17, 2020
The FSAC Board of Directors sent a heartfelt message to all Canadian funeral professionals and shared it on Facebook for all to see.
>> See Facebook Post
FSAC Provides Local MP Letter Instructions & Template for Use
April 14, 2020
Following the recent accomplishment of Funeral Directors being deemed Federally essential, FSAC has prepared a local MP letter template with instructions for use by funeral professionals.
FSAC Provides Health Care Professional Letter Template to 'Work Closely'
April 14, 2020
Along with the Local MP Letter Template, FSAC has prepared a letter template for you to use with local health care professionals to 'keep the lines of communication open' during pandemic.
FSAC Board Director, Jayson Gordon Featured in Globe & Mail Article
April 9, 2020
The Globe & Mail published an article referencing how provinces are handling COVID-19. FSAC Director, Jayson Gordon (British Columbia) commented on behalf of our national association.
>> Read the full article
CP24 Interview with FSAC President:
'Funerals During COVID-19' 
April 6, 2020
They discussed how the funeral profession is serving families keeping their staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and working with the Federal Government for essential business designation.
>> Watch the interview
FSAC's COVID-19 Press Release Featured in 4 Major Canadian Newspapers
April 2, 2020
FSAC published a Press Release stating "Funeral Providers Stand Ready to Serve" in Canada. This was featured in the Toronto Sun, Ottawa Sun, Calgary Sun, and Sudbury Star.
>> Read the full article
[Press Conference]: Workers & Business Owners Facing Challenges (COVID-19)
March 30, 2020
Employers who see a 30% or more decline are eligible for subsidy up to 75%. Applies to small businesses, partners, entrepreneurs, hospitality industry,
non-profits, charities and more.
FSAC Publishes COVID-19 Weekly: A Resource for Funeral Professionals
April 1, 2020
Members automatically receive this weekly email to their inbox with new resources from the Government, media outlets, suppliers and more. You can read April 1st issue below.
>> Read COVID-19 Weekly
[Press Conference]: Announcing Support for Small Businesses (COVID-19)
March 27, 2020
Covering up to 75% of wages, employees paid even if business is closed, $40k loans and deferred GST/HST until June for qualifying businesses.
Moderator of the United Church of Canada Asks that Funerals be Delayed
March 24, 2020
The Moderator of the United Church of Canada has provided direction concerning funerals, specifically the delay of funerals during COVID-19.
>> Read the full article
Funeral Providers Stand Ready to Serve During COVID-19 Pandemic
March 20, 2020
FSAC President, Brett Watson, made an announcement today on behalf of funeral professionals across Canada amidst COVID-19 pandemic saying "funeral providers stand ready to serve."
>> Read the full article
FSAC Sends Letter to Minister Patty Hajdu Requesting Critical Worker Status
March 20, 2020
FSAC President, Brett Watson, sent a letter asking funeral service profession be recognized as critical infrastructure workers. Since then, the QC and ON governments have declared this.
>> Read the letter
FSAC Signs Essential Services Designation Letter with Provinces 
March 24, 2020
FSAC, on behalf of its members, signed a letter to all levels of government requesting that the funeral profession be included in the essential and critical services category across the country. 

2020 CONFERENCE

POSTPONED
June 2-4, 2020 | Winnipeg, MB | RBC Convention Centre
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 conference & tradeshow has been postponed to a later date, likely June of 2022. We're working with the Winnipeg Convention Centre & hotel to revise the original conference plans and will announce these details when confirmed.
SIGN UP TO KNOW DETAILS
RESOURCES FOR DEATH CARE PROFESSIONALS 

When Families Say “We’ll Have a Service Later”: How You Can Be the Hero Who Makes It Happen

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. 


You don’t need me to tell you that COVID-19 has forced hundreds of thousands of North American families to postpone services for a loved one who died during the pandemic. While some have gathered in person for limited, socially distanced funerals, and others have held online ceremonies of some kind, many have understandably decided it’s simply too difficult or unsafe to hold a ceremony right now and, lacking a better alternative, have made vague promises to themselves and their family and friends that they will gather after the pandemic is over. Even before the pandemic, direct cremation families were apt to do the same thing—not always decisively choosing no funeral but instead allowing themselves the possibility of a future ceremony while making no concrete plans to have one. 


>> Read Article

>> Future Ceremony/Gathering Pre-planning Worksheet

Recap: Annual Meeting of Last Post Fund (LPF) Members 2020

Over the span of June 5-7, 2020, the Last Post Fund held its annual Meeting of members and of the Governing Council in addition to our annual commemoration ceremony at the National Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire, QC. For the first time in our 111-year history, all of these activities were modified to take place online, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Now, more than ever, we count on your help, dear members, valued partners and supporters of the Last Post Fund, to spread awareness of our programs to those Veterans who may benefit from them: our Funeral & Burial Program for those families requiring financial assistance following the death of a Veteran, as well as the Unmarked Grave Program, ensuring that every Veteran's grave is properly marked. 

 

We are pleased to inform you that our Annual Activity Report is now available for download or simply for consultation on our website (see link below).

>> Visit Website

Grieving Alone & Together Booklet

Order the 'Grieving Alone & Together: Responding to the Loss of Your Loved One During the COVID-19 Pandemic' Book by The Funeral Service Foundation, NFDA and RememberingALife.com. It'll help families better understand their unique grief, how to care for themselves and others in the months to come, and help put together a funeral or memorial service with their funeral director.
Braving the Waves of Grief: Online Event
Grief. Mourning. Two words that are often used interchangeably, but could not be more different. Dr. Jody Carrington and Jeremy Allen are people from two very different worlds, who share a passion for this painful, necessary, and often avoided, sacred space of loss.
Article in Yahoo! COVID-19 & The Way We Mourn
Drive-in funerals. Zoom memorials. How the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing have changed the way we mourn. This article talks about how funeral homes across North America are adapting to serving families during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
>> Read Article
Forget Me Not Ceremonies
Forget Me Not Ceremonies is a simple to use, professional automated Live Streaming service, giving funeral professionals time to focus on their families. Specially created for the funeral industry, we offer live streamed and On-Demand services. Operating in both official languages, English/French. Learn more here or call 1-877-895-2739 and quote promo-code FH20CN
>> Visit Website
Funeraweb
Funeraweb is a supplier of commemorative and multimedia products. We specialize in the webcasting of chapel ceremonies. The relatives can watch it live and the recordings are available for 90 days on our website. Contact Mario Duchesneau at 418-806-1974 (cell), at mario@funeraweb.com, or 1-888-717-6633 (office). Ask about our promotions & incentives during COVID-19.
>> Visit Website
Coronavirus Media Talking Points 
Alan Wolfelt has published '8 Talking Points for Funeral Directors, Crematory Staff, Cemetarians, and other Death-Care Workers'. As the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the globe, the media spotlight is shining on the profession. Reporters are calling with all kinds of questions, ranging from the legal and practical to the ethical and esoteric. Download the talking points below.
>> Download Here
Alan Wolfelt Resources
A number of articles have been written by Alan Wolfelt to assist funeral professionals, families and communities during these challenging times. See articles about dealing with families, using ceremonies during pandemic, the pandemic of grief, talking to children, funerals during COVID-19, the 6 needs of mourning, nurturing hope, grief and social distancing, funeral director self care, 10 Freedoms for using ceremony, and more. With new articles being added often, you can see all articles below:
How to Embalm with COVID-19
Many are asking how to safely embalm a body with Coronavirus (Covid-19). Preparing Coronavirus dead bodies can be a risk. With these helpful tips, we demonstrate embalming coronavirus precautions to help avoid exposure. Having funeral services while the coronavirus is active should be done with special care while transporting and embalming the body. 
>> Watch Video
How to Notify Credit Bureau of a Death
There are only two ways to notify the credit bureau of a death: notification through an executor or through an approved data provider. 

Download INEX's executor toolkit to know how to properly notify credit bureaus of a death to protect the estate from identity theft and fraudulent use of credit.

'It is Never Too Late To Grieve' by Pam Moss
This article was written for Everden Rust Funeral Services and sent to FSAC from Jason Everden to share with funeral professionals across Canada.

"It is everywhere you turn these days. It is within us and around us. We see it, feel it, hear it and sense it, yet we cannot always articulate it."

>> Read the Full Article
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