Washington state limits funerals to immediate family members only

Washington state will impose limitations on funerals, allowing only immediate family members to attend in order to follow social distancing guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a statement released by Washington’s Department of Licensing.

The new limitations apply to all businesses that have funeral, embalmer or cemetery licenses and follows Gov. Jay Inslee’s (D) “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Licensed funeral homes and cemeteries may continue to conduct services under the conditions that only immediate family members are in attendance and that attendees abide by CDC guidelines to remain six feet apart.

The statement also said licensed embalmers could continue work following the same guidelines.

Since the outbreak began, Washington has reported a total of 3,723 cases and 175 deaths related to COVID-19, according to the state’s Department of Health.