Abilene Times

While Abilene residents are adjusting and changing their lives for the pandemic, one funeral company is making sure memorial services can continue for the community. 

Funeral Directors Life is offering free services and virtual software to funeral companies throughout the nation to help people during the coronavirus pandemic, when traditional services aren't possible due to social distancing expectations and statewide stay-at-home orders. 

“We’re trying to offer these features that can possibly help during this difficult time,” CEO Kris Seale told Big Country news. “We’re offering it to the entire funeral profession throughout the United States for free so that they can take care of families in the best possible way."

Offering their virtual software free to funeral homes will help companies adjust to how they can help families during this time. 

“You know if the funeral industry said, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t meet with you right now. I can’t speak with you right now.’ If we didn’t have the technology, I mean, I think back two years ago the virtual environment was nonexistent. What do you do?,” Teresa Doyal, a funeral director at Ellior Funeral Homes and Cemetery, told Big Country news. "Thank goodness we have that now."

Funeral homes are also struggling to find protective materials for employees due to the shortages the coronavirus pandemic has caused. Front-line workers and health care providers are in need of the same type of protective wear that morticians need. 

“It’s finding the protective equipment for us to do our jobs as funeral directors,” Doyal told Big Country news.