New Guidelines for Funerals

Dear Family and Friends:

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee remains committed and prepared to safely care for our families during our Nations unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the Governor of Wisconsin issued a “Safer at Home” order. We are following these orders in detail.

For Families who’ve lost a loved one, not due to COVID-19, our guidelines are as follows:

• Please call our cemetery offices to notify us of the passing.
• The arrangement conference will take place virtually with care and compassion, using technology for your safety.
• The exchange of documents will take place at a desk, stationed outside of our offices.
• State Orders for gatherings of, 10 persons and distancing of 6’ is followed at committal services. This count includes clergy. Our staff, along with funeral directors, will be further in the distance, so as not take away from a family members attendance.
• Effective Friday, April 10, 2020 – all indoor entombments (inside of our mausoleums) will be restricted, allowing for no family or friends.  We invite our families to gather under the overhang entrances, outside of our mausoleums, following the 10 persons, at 6’ distance, for their committal prayers.
• At the conclusion of committal prayers, our staff will compassionately and, with all precautions in place, escort your loved one into the mausoleum, along with the funeral director for entombment. 
• Our staff will stream and/or record the entombment for you.
• Our bathrooms are locked so please plan accordingly when coming out to our cemeteries.

For Families who’ve lost a loved one due to COVID-19 our guidelines are as follows:

• Please call our offices to notify us of the passing and let us know at that time, the cause of death includes, complications of COVID-19.
• The arrangement conference is virtual, utilizing various forms of technology.
• The exchange of documents will take place at a desk, stationed outside of our offices.
•  Pre-site inspection at the cemetery will be in direct coordination with our Family Service Advisor utilizing technology.
• COVID-19 burials, entombments and inurnments will be made directly from the funeral home to our cemeteries and, committal prayers will be read for your loved one.
• We will video the interment, entombment and inurnments for you. Family will not be in attendance.

Our Family Service Advisors are available 6 days a week to serve your needs for both at-need and pre-need arrangements. Until further notice, all meetings will be arranged virtually.

Blessings,
Mary Thiel
Director of Cemeteries

Updated: April 13, 2020