The Government has released guidelines to help bereaved families during the coronavirus pandemic.
It offers advice from the time of a death up to a burial or cremation.
The guide says: "It is intended to provide clear advice as to what bereaved families might expect as they make funeral arrangements.
"In particular, it outlines the changes that have become necessary to what are often fundamental and time honoured rituals and processes associated with marking the passing of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic."
The main changes include reporting deaths as a result of COVID-19 to the district coroner, restrictions on access to the body following a death and making funeral arrangements via telephone and e-mail.
It also stresses the importance of a limit of 10 people attending any ceremony, with social distancing, and no social gatherings after a funeral.
In cases where it is unclear whether COVID-19 was a cause of death, a COVID-19 test may be required.
In most cases, this should not delay the process and there will be no necessity to await results before proceeding with funeral arrangements, the guide says.
In the case of a person who dies, or is suspected of dying, due to COVID-19 the HSE has provided guidance as to how funeral directors care for the body while protecting their own health and safety.
The guide also says that in such cases various practices and ceremonies, depending on faiths, have been curtailed.
This includes embalming, washing of the body, kissing the deceased or having the body lie in an open casket in a home.
On funeral services, the guides says representatives of faith communities and cultural groups will provide "guidance to their own communities on how they will organise revised funeral arrangements."
These will have to take account of the restrictions.
"In light of current restriction on mass gatherings and the requirement for physical distancing, public reposals and gatherings at funeral homes are discouraged," it says.
"The funeral should be private and limited to a maximum of 10 people as advised by the public health authorities."
Only members of the person’s household, close family members - or close friends, if the deceased has no household or family members - should attend.
While numbers attending funerals may be restricted further in smaller, enclosed places.
And physical interactions including shaking hands and hugging should be avoided.
The guide also says that any arrangements should not be advertised in papers and online - the funeral notice
can be placed, but the arrangements should not appear.
It says families can advise relatives privately of the funeral arrangements.
And, where possible, close contacts and relatives should use their own transport to attend the funeral.
A number of supports are also in place available from the Department of Social Protection for those struggling financially.
Persons experiencing bereavement may be able to avail of an Exceptional Needs Payment, to cover certain costs
associated with a funeral.
