GEMMA BROLLY: Urgent review of guidance for funeral directors necessary now

Aontú Representative for East Derry Gemma Brolly appeals for an urgent review of the Funeral Directors Guidance in line with Scotland, England, Wales and Republic of Ireland, permitting families the option to view and say goodbye to their loved ones who have passed away with COVID.

“Restrictions as they are at present were fully understandable at the beginning of the pandemic, when there was little research or evidence to go on, but now 18 months later when England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are permitted the option to view their loved ones and say goodbye, surely the North of Ireland can implement the same approach?

I have spoken with so many heartbroken families recently and heard the words: “We never got to say goodbye.” Continuity of these restrictions means families must relive this trauma again and again when their neighbours suffer the same heartbreak.

The most recent guidance from HSE in Republic of Ireland advises the Irish Association of Funeral Directors that “evidence has been accumulated and demonstrated that there have been no confirmed reports of transmission from a dead body to a living host, including among persons with the greater risk of exposure, namely autopsy personnel and embalmers.”

I have spoken to local funeral directors who have stressed they are in complete agreement with reduced numbers and remains not going home in order to limit the risk of infection, however, they are deeply concerned that they are still not permitted to console families with the option of viewing their deceased. There are also funeral directors belonging to the Irish Association of Funeral Directors in the North of Ireland who consider themselves permitted to offer this option, which leads to a most confusing and distressing predicament for both funeral directors and grieving families.

Aontú respectfully urges those in charge to please review the guidelines on viewing the deceased as a matter of urgency. We believe this will not only ease a little of the pain for families in the future but it will offer a slight measure of consolation to the families who “never got to say goodbye” that future grieving families can at least see their loved one to say goodbye."

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.