The traditional Irish funeral could be changed forever following the coronavirus pandemic.
While there is massive importance placed on funerals within our national culture, how we grieve for loved ones has been impacted significantly this year.
Under the current restrictions, up to 25 mourners are permitted to attend funerals.
One funeral director believes that some of the new ways of offering our condolences may remain in place once the pandemic is over.
David McGowan, who owns McGowan's Funeral Directors in Sligo and Mayo, said while it is difficult for mourners not to be able to shake hands, grieving families can still receive comfort at funerals in the time of COVID.
He told The Pat Kenny Show: "We're carrying out funerals in a different way than we're used to and it's a change but it's not all bad, people are still getting something.
"I spent the whole week with people who are going through the worst life experience any human being can have which is the loss of a loved one."
Mr McGowan acknowledged that we have traditions and customs in Ireland that are "unique to us", and while COVID-19 has put a stop to those, "we've got around it in other ways".
He said the main rituals that people are missing are shaking hands and hugging, but condolences are now being expressed in different ways such as via email, text messages and online.
He added: "People are still standing out on the roads as the cortege is passing, and families are telling me that that's very comforting."
Funerals after COVID
Mr McGowan can see those two acts, digital condolences and guards of honour, being integrated into traditional funeral rituals in the future.
In his experience, people are being "very good" when it comes to wearing masks and sanitisation.
His funeral homes are still arranging for wakes to be held for the deceased person which is not the case in many places nationwide.
Mr McGowan said: "This thing of people not being able to see their deceased is no more, because it is being done, we're doing it here.
"We're laying out people and we are dressing them, even if they have passed away and have tested positive for COVID, we're trained in this aspect.
"I can understand it might not be happening in certain cases because they might not have the training and facilities in place to do that.
"But in the rural part of Ireland I live in, they are getting their deceased home."
Mr McGowan added that while it may be difficult for some families to have a limit of 25 mourners, it is still something, and said that having a religious service is "of vital importance".
