COVID-19 Plans for Funerals, Burials, Memorials, Weddings & Receptions

The following are the guidelines from the Texas Governor’s office following Gov. Abbott’s April 27 Executive Order. Bishop Lowry and the Cabinet strongly urge churches and persons to not hold in-person services at this time – at least through May – and continue with online services and ministries.

• For funerals, burials, memorials and wedding ceremonies, the service providers or churches where they are conducted must follow the same guidelines as those laid out for churches for services. You can see the full list of guidelines here.

• Gov. Abbott strongly encourages at-risk populations to try and watch or participate remotely and suggests that service providers/venues designate an area for only at-risk persons so they can also attend in person if required.

• Maintain social distancing inside the church by only allowing seating in alternate rows of the church and keeping six feet of spacing between people who are not from the same household.

• Only allow members of the same household to sit together and keep groups smaller than six.

• At wedding receptions or post-funeral gatherings, Gov. Abbott says the same guidelines issued for restaurants during phase one should be applied during receptions. This includes 25% occupancy of the venue, limit seating to less than six people per table with only members of the same household and keep six feet of separation between tables. You can read the full list of guidelines here.