Calvary Cemetery COVID-19 Procedures
Burials and Workers
March, 2020

Information that has been received from the Archdiocesan Catholic Cemeteries is listed below.  These procedures would be instilled at Calvary Cemetery in Northfield, MN. during the COVID-19 crisis.

•	This is a virus that is passed on through respiratory droplets, similar to how other flus are transmitted.  Once a person dies, there is no respiration and so unless there is pressure on the chest, the droplets will not be sent into the air.  Mortuary personnel have strict procedures in place on how to handle bodies affected with this virus. 
•	The CDC is concerned, not so much about the deceased, but by those who have been with the decedent, who may have the virus but not showing any symptoms.  The recommend that funeral numbers be extremely limited.
•	This is a new disease and every day there are new learnings about it.  Information will change daily.

FUNERALS

•	Recommendations are that funerals can occur but that only immediate family members attend.  At risk family members should not attend these kinds of gatherings.
•	Funeral attendees should practice social distancing and not sit closely together.  All should use good hand hygiene and good cough etiquette.
•	If possible, funerals can be live streamed to keep groups limited to those who “need to be” at the funeral.
•	If people are gathered for a funeral, there needs to be a process of cleaning/disinfecting of surfaces that have been touched, especially bathrooms, door handles, etc.
•	Present information indicates that the virus is viable for 24 hrs. on porous material such as carpeting, clothing, cardboard.  On hard surfaces, i.e. metals, tables, paper, the virus can survive 72 hrs.  Disinfecting areas, especially high-touch surfaces, where groups have gathered is necessary.
•	Some churches have removed all hymnals and will not use liturgy guides until the pandemic is over (this is true at St. Dominic).

BURIAL

•	There are no restrictions on burials/cremations related to the coronavirus.
•	Cemetery personnel, if they are handling a casket, need to be gloved. Because people often touch a casket and because it is a hard surface, you do not want to take chances.
•	Cemetery personnel are to respect the 6 ft. social distancing rule.
•	Personnel who are finishing the grave should wait until all have left the area.
•	If we are alerted by the mortuary that the individual has an infection disease, we will require goggles and masks to be worn as an additional precaution.

PROCEDURES TO PROTECT CALVARY CEMETERY PERSONNEL

•	The storage shed will be off limits to everyone but cemetery personnel.
•	As stated above, gloves will need to be worn when handling caskets/urns.
•	Goggles, masks, and gloves will need to be worn if burial is from coronavirus or any other infectious disease.
•	When entering the building, please wash hands - soap and paper towels are provided in bathroom.
•	Gloves should be worn when doing cemetery work.  If you have rubber gloves, these can be worn and then washed in washing machine along with other laundry.   Place gloves in a plastic bag before leaving and wash hands.   There will be a box of x-large vinyl gloves kept in the storage building.  These should be used for burials as supply is limited.  These vinyl gloves should be thrown away as soon as task is completed.
•	Upon entering the building, any equipment, tools, doors, handles, gas cans, etc. that will be   used should be wiped down or sprayed with disinfectant.  A bottle of disinfectant will kept in the building. This procedure can be eliminated if you are wearing gloves before entering building.
•	Upon leaving the building, any equipment, tools, doors, handles, gas cans, etc. that have been used should be wiped down or sprayed with disinfectant.  Regarding the lawn mowers and gator, the whole machine does not need to be washed down, just the steering wheel, controls, handles or anything touched.   Then spray down with disinfectant. This must be done before leaving building.
•	Disinfectant will be provided in a marked spray bottle.  If rubber gloves can be bought, they will be supplied also.  There will be a supply of rags for washing down items with soap and water.  Put these in a plastic bag with rubber gloves and take home to launder.  Bring back when done.