Southern Calls Vol. 29, September 2020
Funeral Home Director In Residency begins career as Coronavirus Pandemic overwhelms the Industry
After picking up remains of a victim of COVID-19, Lily Sage Weinrieb calls relatives for a virtual viewing before cremation on May 4, 2020 in New York City.
After studying at the American Academy McAllister Institute, Lily Sage Weinrieb, 25, from Philadelphia, PA started her residency as a funeral director at International Hamilton Heights Funeral Home in Harlem. Before the pandemic, the home averaged 30-40 clients per month. Now, that number has quadrupled.
Between transferring remains from hospitals, viewings, paperwork, embalmments, crematorium and cemetery runs, Lily works from 8am to midnight. She often sleeps on a couch in the funeral chapel. She is completely overwhelmed scheduling funerals for a month in advance and not able to do many aspects of her job like being able to console grieving relatives with a hug nor a touch and limiting numbers at viewing and burials.
Despite these impediments, Lily attempts to find solutions such as video viewings and other ceremonies.
Photo by Misha Friedman/Getty Images
International Hamilton Heights Funeral and Cremation Services
Living in New York City is a unique experience, rooted in strong family values and traditions that tie us together as a communty. It is this sense of family and community that people think of when they turn to International Hamilton Heights for help during one of the most difficult times of life…the loss of a loved one. Because death is such a deeply personal issue, you can feel comfortable about choosing our caring but deeply unique services to honor a life well-lived.
When you choose to honor your family through the licensed professionals at International Hamilton Heights, you allow us to carry on a tradition of providing personal care and attention, for not only the deceased, but for those left behind. Our goal is to make the funeral arranging process as easy for you and your family as possible. Options are always presented with sensitivity and respect for your personal wishes, religious preference, and financial considerations.
With you, we help to create a loving tribute that brings people together to honor and celebrate the life that was lived. As a result of this shared experience, the burden of grief is lightened. A funeral is the last thing that you will ever do for your loved one. It is also the critical first step in the healing process. When you choose International Hamilton Heights, you can begin that journey with the peace of mind and satisfaction of knowing that your loved one was treated with the highest level of professionalism, dignity and recognition they deserved.
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