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DALTON, Ga. – Stoney Ponders took notice when news broke in March that a funeral nearly 300 miles to the South in Albany, Georgia, sparked what would become one of the nation’s first and most noteworthy COVID-19 clusters.
He said that’s how he and his staff at Ponders Funeral Home, which he founded in Dalton 28 years ago, knew early on the dangers of congregating together as long as the coronavirus is circulating.
As the pandemic progressed and COVID-19 spread across the region, so did the demand for funeral services. Though funerals in 2020 look a bit different than years past – more outside services, fewer guests, people donning face masks – Ponders said it’s important to find ways to safely conduct services so that families and friends can mourn the loss of their loved ones.
“Grief that’s shared is grief that’s lessened, and when you’re grieving and dying alone, it’s horrible,” he said. “That’s the tragedy of COVID. Our loved ones are dying alone.”