Covid-19 in Limpopo: Funeral parlours under immense pressure
The Covid-19 pandemic has transformed the death-care industry. CV spoke to various funeral service providers in the Vhembe district about the challenges they currently face amid the third wave.
LIMPOPO – Funeral parlours are starting to feel the strain as the third wave of Covid-19 infections takes its toll in the province.
Shudu Magwabeni of MTG Funerals says they are under immense pressure and currently battling to cope with the high number of burials they have to perform each day.
“The pandemic has transformed the death-care industry. Not only are we under pressure, but because most deaths are Covid-19 related, our staff fear they too might contract the virus. We plead with citizens to take the necessary precautions in order to reduce the number of infections.”
Employees have to work additional hours, and the situation is disheartening, he added.
“The situation is really bigger than one can image. The sheer numbers are something we have not seen before. This virus is killing people.”
The director of Marindi Funerals, Kaizer Marindi agrees.
“We are operating under stressful circumstances. We are worried about the safety of our workers as their health to us is first and foremost. And it is a job that needs to be done.”
He says many citizens have only a perception about what it is like to work in the industry.
“People believe we are happy when someone dies, as this means money for us. They have no idea what a painful process this is. To us, it is as painful as it is for the families. So, we’re not happy to say this is our time to shine. We’re urging people to stay at home, to stay safe and to reduce the infection rate. Let’s flatten the curve.”
Both agree that all bodies are currently treated as Covid-19 victims until the post mortem results are available.
“We have pick-ups at home where we don’t know what the cause of death is. Someone just died at home. We ask for symptoms, but the most important thing is that the body needs to be treated as if it was infected.”
The chairperson of South African Funeral Practitioners Association, Sam Ntshauba says since the pandemic hit South Africa they have felt the pressure.
“Not only has the workload increased exponentially, but the emotional toll on us who work in the industry is unprecedented. Bodies arrive hourly, and shifts are being doubled.
“Following a death, a funeral must be held within three days. Because of the pressure of taking the bodies coming in, we can’t keep them for two weeks because they’d pile up. So, we need them to be going out as quick as possible.”
He says the demands are felt by everyone in the industry.
“If it was a confirmed Covid-19 patient at the hospital, the body would be clean-wrapped as well.
“Usually, from the hospital we put the body in a coffin immediately. From the hospital, it’s stored as it is,” Ntshauba explains.
The demands have also resulted in a shortage of gravesites in certain areas, he added.
Rofhiwa Nedzamba of Cornerstone Funerals shares these sentiments.
“It’s not only us who are inundated. Everyone is stretched. Additional staffers are already required. We have families that we need to comfort. It’s very difficult to focus on your own stress.
“It is an emotionally taxing task to manage your own fears and consoling a deceased’s grieving relatives,” he concluded.
