COVID 19 Update October 15, 2021

As of midnight last night, there were some changes made to the public health orders regarding funeral services.

For Indoor Services

• All individuals over the age of 12 must show proof of vaccination.
• No more than 50 persons or a lesser number depending on how many can be accommodated safely. This number does not include funeral staff.  
• A Covid-19 safety plan is required.
• Masks must be worn.
• Contract tracing is required. 

COVID 19 Update September 14, 2021

Changes to the health regulations came out on September 13, 2021.  

• Proof of vaccination is not required for funeral services held inside or outside.  Nor is it required for a tea held at a funeral home.  
• Proof of vaccination is required for a funeral tea held somewhere other than a funeral home.   

COVID 19 Update August 25, 2021

As per the updated health regulations, masks are once again mandatory in all public, indoor spaces.  This will include all indoor services.  

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.  

COVID 19 Update July 2, 2021

We are now into Step 3 of BC's Restart Plan.  Below are a few changes with regard to funeral services.  

• Funerals held indoors at any location, such as a funeral home or a hall, have a limit of 50 people in attendance or 50% of capacity, whichever is greater.  This number does not include funeral staff.  
  
• There must be a seat for each participant, and participants must remain in that seat.
  
• Masks are recommended but not mandatory for all people 12 and older who are not fully vaccinated.  Fully vaccinated means 14 days after receiving your second dose.  No proof of vaccination will be needed.
• Funerals held in a church (place of worship) do not have any restrictions. 
• Outdoor services have a limit of no more than 5,000 people or 50% of seated capacity.  

COVID19 Update June 16, 2021

As we begin Step 2 of the reopening plan, there are a few changes to the Public Health Orders with regard to indoor and outdoor funeral services.   

• Indoor funerals may proceed with a maximum of 50 people in attendance, including the officiant.  Funeral staff are not included in the 50 people.  
• 2 extra people may be in attendance to ensure rules are being adhered to.
• Social distancing must still be in place between family groups.  
• There may be no receptions of any kind, inside or outside.  
• People must not gather or socially engage before, during, or after the service.
• Masks are still required for indoor services.  
• Funerals held outdoors (including in open-sided tents and under overhead coverings) can have up to 50 people in attendance with 4 extra people to ensure rules are being adhered to.  People must not gather or socially engage before, during, or after the service.

COVID19 Update March 25, 2021

We are very grateful for your support and understanding over the past year of change. We continue to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve the families of our community. Earlier this week, there were some changes made to Outdoor Worship Services, some of which are outlined below. We thank you for your understanding and assistance in complying with these ever changing regulations.

• These changes only apply to Worship Services (which includes funerals) being held OUTSIDE.
• Fifty people, as well as fifty vehicles, may be present. Those people attending in vehicles must remain in the vehicle.
• All participants must be pre-registered for the purpose of controlling attendance and contact tracing.
• Prior to attending, all participants must carry out and pass a health check.
• Participants need to remain 2 meters apart unless they live in the same household.
• All participants must wear a face covering.
• Participants must disperse immediately after the service and may not congregate with other participants.
• For indoor funeral/memorial services, celebrations of life, and visitations, we can accommodate up to 10 people including the minister or celebrant. We are able to livestream for those who are not able to be present. Staggered visitations may also be accommodated as long as there is an hour in between groups of 10 to allow for cleaning and sanitization.
• Please phone the office to schedule an appointment to meet with a funeral director regarding the death of a loved one, funeral services, monuments, etc. This allows us time in between families to clean and sanitize in order to protect our staff members and the families we serve. We ask that no more than 2 people come to arrangements in the office as per BC Health Official guidelines.
• For those who are uncomfortable with in person arrangements and consultations, we continue to offer these over the phone or online.

We understand that these times are very difficult for those who have lost a loved one. We continue to offer the care and support that families need during their time of loss.

Update January 14, 2021

Thank you for your support and understanding as we continue to do business under different circumstances.  Our staff remains dedicated to the families of Fort St. John, and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with the loss of a loved one.  As the restrictions set out by our government health officials have changed, we appreciate your assistance with the following:

• Please phone the office to schedule an appointment to meet with a funeral director regarding the death of a loved one, funeral services, or monuments, etc.  We must do our part in protecting the health and safety of our staff members and the families we serve, and need time in between families to clean and sanitize in preparation for the next appointment.
• Masks are mandatory in the building as per the BC guidelines.
  
• No more than 2 people in the arrangements office as per BC Health Official guidelines.
  
• We can accommodate funeral/memorial services, celebrations of life, and visitations up to a limit of 10 people including the minister or celebrant.  Hamre's is able to livestream all services for those who are not able to be present.  Staggered visitations may be accommodated as long as there is one hour in between groups of 10 for cleaning and sanitization.
• Burials and outdoor services can accommodate 10 people including Hamre's staff and a minister or celebrant.   
• Names and phone numbers will be recorded for contact tracing purposes for all services as well as when visiting our office.
• We ask that anyone attending a service avoid expressions of sympathy like handshaking, hugging, and other direct physical contact.
• We ask that any person who is feeling unwell, any person who has travelled, and any person who has been in contact with someone in this description not attend in office appointments, funeral gatherings or celebrations.
• We continue to offer arrangements and consultations over the phone or online for those who do not feel comfortable or are unable to come to the office.

Update May 19, 2020

We want to take a moment to thank our community for the support and patience you have shown as we all adjust to a new way of doing business. Our staff remain dedicated to the families of Fort St. John and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with the loss of a loved one. As we follow new regulations set out by our government health officials we ask for your assistance with the following;

• Please phone the office to schedule an appointment to meet with a funeral director regarding the death of a loved one, funeral services or monuments etc. We must do our part in protecting the health and safety of our staff members and the families we serve and need time in between families to clean and sanitize in preparation for the next appointment.  
• No more than 6 people in the arrangement office at one time as per BC Health Officials guidelines.
• We can accommodate funeral/memorial services and celebrations of life up to a maximum of 40 people (this includes Hamre's staff and the minister/celebrant) as well as staggered visitations while following social distancing guidelines. Hamre's is able to live stream all service's.  
• We ask anyone attending a service to avoid expressions of sympathy like handshaking, hugging and other direct physical contact. 
• We ask that any person who is feeling unwell, any person who has traveled and any person who has been in contact with someone in this description not to attend in office appointments, funeral gatherings or celebrations. 
• We will continue to offer arrangements and consultations over the phone or online for those who do not feel comfortable coming to the office.  

March 2020

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread and the community tries to navigate our way through these difficult times, we find ourselves faced with very difficult decisions. Hamre’s Funeral Chapel would like to assure the community of Fort St. John and surrounding area that, just as it has been during our 40 year history in the area, we are here, and we continue to be here for you in your time of need. We are closely monitoring all information and direction coming from the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments. Our decisions have been, and will continue to be made prioritizing the safety, security and well-being of our staff, families and the community. With this in mind Hamre’s is sure you understand our decision to close the office for all funeral arrangement and gatherings until further notice. We encourage arrangements to be made directly over the phone or utilizing video conferencing facilities to minimize the possibility of adding to the increasing infection rates. A funeral director can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 250-785-6273 to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Thank you again for your patience and understanding.