At funerals in virus outbreak, mourning is from a distance

[ ] [Image]( EMAIL}/redirect Greetings Subscribers, Posted on Saturday, April 4th, 2020 By Sarah Blake Morgan, Associated Press LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) — No one stands in line to embrace the widow and share memories of her husband of 50 years. No rows of family and friends file toward the flag-draped coffin to pay their last respects. No symphony of sniffles is heard across the room as the minister gives a final prayer. Instead, a handful of people are scattered across one chapel row as if they're strangers, not blood. White roses are pinned to empty chairs, representing those who couldn’t be there. An iPad on a tripod livestreams the service for people stuck at home across state lines. “This is going to be a different experience for all of us,” the minister tells the half-dozen people gathered at a South Carolina funeral home to celebrate the life of J. Robert Coleman, an Army veteran, husband to Gloria, father to three sons and grandfather to three children. "But one thing that will be common is that as we conduct this service today, we’re going to open with a prayer.” Unspoken was the reason this funeral, and untold others across the world, is different: The coronavirus outbreak, stay-at-home orders and the rules of social distancing are dramatically altering the way families and communities mourn the passing of loved ones. “It’s hard enough to lose a loved one, but then to have the traditions that usually bring comfort at a time like this seemingly not available just kind of compounds the grief that families feel,” said Justin Baxley, of Woodridge Memorial Park & Funeral Home. EMAIL}/redirect --------------------------------------------------------------- EMAIL}/redirect Like most funeral homes, Woodridge is limiting the number of people allowed for services. Many families find it hard to choose which loved ones will be invited to the in-person gathering and which will be relegated to watch via livestream, if at all. But Coleman's family said in their case, travel restrictions due to the virus and the nature of their small, close-knit family made following the fewer-than-10-people mandate simple. John Coleman said those who mattered most to his dad were there - his wife, Gloria, and his sons. The only one missing was his beloved dog, Bandit. “That’s the most important," Coleman said. "We weren’t brought up to care if we were around a big group.” Robert Coleman died suddenly last week. One of his sons found him at home in Columbia. The family said he went peacefully, possibly of a heart attack, but because the 69-year-old had complained of chest pain the day before, he was tested for COVID-19. Days later, the test came back negative. But regardless of the cause of death, funerals still must abide by rules aimed at preventing any possible exposure to the virus. At Woodridge Memorial Park, a bottle of hand sanitizer and a sign asking guests to kindly refrain from handshaking now sits beside the guestbook. Chairs are spaced apart. Much of the funeral planning among family and staff is done via video chat. And the demand for livestreaming services has skyrocketed. EMAIL}/redirect --------------------------------------------------------------- EMAIL}/redirect At Coleman's funeral, most of his family chose to sit in the front row, but a sister-in-law, citing social distance, made her way alone to the back. During the service, Gloria Coleman cried and pulled down her sunglasses, hiding her eyes. With the chairs separated, her sons couldn't reach out to comfort her. “Your husband, your father, a model of faithfulness for you," Pastor Brett DeYoung said in his brief remarks. "Now it’s time for you to continue that legacy by modeling that integrity and faithfulness to your family and friends.” The family followed the casket outside, where two uniformed soldiers waited to honor Coleman’s service to his country — a ritual usually held inside, but moved to follow guidelines. A bugler played taps, and Gloria accepted a folded American flag. John Coleman's wife and kids didn't make the trip from their Florida home. They were able to watch the livestream to say goodbye. Coleman said the family had to plan the funeral while watching headlines about the novel coronavirus, and he doesn't want to live in fear - that's why he invited The Associated Press to document their grieving. He'll send the recording of the service to his dad's buddies from working for decades in the aerospace industry. And he'll head back home to his family. “We’ll say a prayer with them, and it will be what it is for the moment.” ___ EMAIL}/redirect --------------------------------------------------------------- EMAIL}/redirect To get EXCLUSIVE OFFERS make sure you grab your cellphone (which you are probably doing right now) and join our VIP text messaging list (standard text and messaging rates may apply)to make it even easier, if you are on your cell phone now click this Button Below: [SIGN ME UP NOW]( © 2020 PTE.la PTE, LLC (publisher of PTE.la) is NOT registered as an investment adviser nor a broker/dealer with either the U. S. Securities & Exchange Commission or any state securities regulatory authority. Users of this website are advised that all information presented on this website is solely for informational purposes, is not intended to be used as a personalized investment recommendation, and is not attuned to any specific portfolio or to any user's particular investment needs or objectives. Past performance is NOT indicative of future results. Furthermore, such information is not to be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor is it to be construed as a recommendation to buy, hold or sell (short or otherwise) any security. All users of this website must determine for themselves what specific investments to make or not make and are urged to consult with their own independent financial advisors with respect to any investment decision. The reader bears responsibility for his/her own investment research and decisions, should seek the advice of a qualified securities professional before making any investment, and investigate and fully understand any and all risks before investing. All opinions, analyses and information included on this website are based on sources believed to be reliable and written in good faith, but should be independently verified, and no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, is made, including but not limited to any representation or warranty concerning accuracy, completeness, correctness, timeliness or appropriateness. In addition, we undertake no responsibility to notify such opinions, analyses or information or to keep such opinions, analyses or information current. Also be aware that owners, employees and writers of and for PTE, LLC may have long or short positions in securities that may be discussed on this website or newsletter. Past results are not indicative of future profits. This table is accurate, though not every trade is represented. Profits and losses reported are simulated figures from virtual simulated portfolios. We are engaged in the business of advertising and promoting companies for monetary compensation. All content in our releases is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. Neither the information presented nor any statement or expression of opinion, or any other matter herein, directly or indirectly constitutes a solicitation of the purchase or sale of any securities. PTE.la’s sponsored advertisements do not purport to provide an analysis of any company’s financial position, operations or prospects and this is not to be construed as are commendation by PTE.la or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Neither the owner of PTE.la nor any of its members, officers, directors, contractors or employees is licensed broker-dealers, account representatives, market makers, investment bankers, investment advisors, analyst or underwriters. Investing in securities, including the securities of those companies profiled or discussed on this website is for individuals tolerant of high risks. Viewers should always consult with alicensed securities professional before purchasing or selling any securities of companies profiled or discussed in our releases. It is possible that a viewer’s entire investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled. Remember, never invest in any security of a company profiled or discussed in a release or on our website unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. Also, investing in micro-cap securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. To review our complete disclaimer and additional information, please visit . PTE.la makes no recommendation that the securities of the companies profiled or discussed in our releases or on our website should be purchased, sold or held by investors. PTE.la is owned and operated by PTE LLC. PTE LLC has not been compensated for this specific email, we do have advertisements in this email that we get paid if you click one of the ads (we have not investigated any of the advertisements). Any compensation received by PTE LLC constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. A third party of PTE LLC may have shares and may liquidate, which may negatively affect the stock price. PTE LLC affiliates may at any time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice which will negatively affect the market. Some of the content in this release contains forward - looking information within the meaning of Section 27 A of the Securities Act of 1 9 9 3 and Section 21 E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1 9 3 4 including statements regarding expected continual growth of the profiled company and the value of its securities. In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 it is hereby noted that statements contained herein that look forward in time which include everything other than historical information, involve risk and uncertainties that may affect a company's actual results of operation. A company's actual performance could greatly differ from those described in any forward - looking statements or announcements mentioned in this release. Factors that should be considered that could cause actual results to differ include: the size and growth of the market for the company's products; the company's ability to fund its capital requirements in the near term and in the long term; pricing pressures; unforeseen and/or unexpected circumstances in happenings; etc. and the risk factors and other factors set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, acompany’s past performance does not guarantee future results. Generally, the information regarding a company profiled is provided from public sources which we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed by us as being accurate. Further specific financial information, filings and disclosures as well as general investor information about the profiled company, advice to investors and other investor resources are available at the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) website www.sec.gov and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) website at www.finra.org. Any investment should be made only after consulting with a qualified investment advisor and reviewing the publicly available financial statement and other information about the company profiled and verifying that the investment is appropriate and suitable. PTE.la makes no representations, warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided or discussed. Viewers should not rely solely on the information obtained in this release or on our website. ProTrader Elite LLC, 9 Downing Street, Newark, NJ 07105 [SafeUnsubscribe™ {EMAIL}]( [Forward email]( | [About our service provider]( Sent by customerservice@protraderelite.com in collaboration with [Constant Contact]( [Try email marketing for free today!](