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As our President noted recently, funerals have become a death trap for many South Africans. Although it is deeply ingrained in all of us to provide a fitting send-off for our departed loved one, we are in the grip of a deadly pandemic. The typical funeral activities that usually occur are increasing everyone’s exposure to risk.

Accordingly, the COVID pandemic has changed funeral rituals, not only in South Africa but all over the world. The South African government was forced to introduce new measures to reduce the disease's risk by curtailing traditionally large funerals.

Clearing out your parent’s home after their death is both emotionally and physically taxing. Within a short space of time, you are required to consolidate a very dear person’s life, while grief is still deeply rooted in your heart. Memories will intrude as you walk from room to room in their home and see walls and corners filled with their belongings, bringing them to life again. The thought of giving their things away and removing their presence seems so disrespectful and irreverent. You have a longing to leave everything the same in a time capsule that can reflect their very last essence.

Just as you wondered how you would possibly cope in a world without them, so too it seems impossible that you would ever be able to do away with any of their belongings. You want to hold onto everything of theirs forever. Unfortunately, you cannot.

The choice between a burial and a cremation is a very personal one and should ideally be decided on and communicated to your loved ones before your passing. This can be a difficult decision, as it needs to take into consideration your and your family’s personal and religious beliefs, as well as financial situation.