GREENWOOD, Ind. (WTHR) – It seems there is no part of our world that’s been untouched; even grief.
With coronavirus and social distancing – handling loss has been one of the hardest parts.
Many funerals we’ve seen in this pandemic have been very limited or virtual.
But Saturday a funeral home in Greenwood decided to try something different that would still allow people to grieve together while maintaining social distance.
Forest Lawn Funeral Home held a drive-thru visitation for Nate Graves. The 22-year-old died this week after a two-year battle with leukemia.
“I wanted this so bad, he's got so many friends and family and this is just a great option with what we are going through and I just love the fact that people are able to see him and let him know we love him and we thank them for coming,” said Nate’s mother Marcia Graves.
About 100 cars drove under the tent to pay their respects.
“The parameters are very specific. There are no more than 8-to-10 of the families in the tent. They all wear masks,” said DW Kelly, Forest Lawn Funeral Director. “We’re allowing cars to come through the tent and partially open up the windows to give their condolences and then exit.”
Organizers say this is the first time they’ve tried a drive up visitation, and hope to be able to them for other families.