Funeral Times

Last Updated: 5/04/2020, 12:05 pm

Community Advice regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

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The MCK  administration office in St Kilda is closed until further notice.

To report a death, please call 03 9534 0208 (24 hours / 7 days) as usual. 

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Effective 25 March 2020 the Australian Government has restricted the number of attendees at a funeral to a maximum of no more than 10 people and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies.

MCK understands that these are trying times for us all, especially for families dealing with grief and loss, and we are here to guide you through the Government restrictions.

MCK is instituting the following for all Funerals and respectfully expect full compliance:

• The Rabbi plus 9 family members (as chosen by the family) will attend in the chapel for a web streamed service.
• MCK staff will remain outside the chapel (and are not included in the 10 attendees).
• MCK staff will act as pallbearers escorting the deceased to the grave.
• Family will also choose 9 males plus the Rabbi to attend at the gravesite for final prayers and recitation of Kaddish. 
• Others who were part of the chapel service and are not part of the gravesite service should return to the carpark.
• All individuals MUST always adhere to the 1 person per 4 sq metre rule everywhere (chapel, gravesite, roadways, pathways and carpark)

23 March 2020: Due to current Government directives regarding social distancing MCK has instituted the following policy effective immediately;

• All Funerals are by family invitation only. 
• The family of the deceased are to personally invite only close family/friends to attend at the cemetery (maximum 10). 
• If a minyan (10) of Jewish men are not available, MCK will ensure that there are 10 Jewish men in attendance.
  
• All Chapel services will be webstreamed, allowing everyone to participate remotely.
• Social distancing within the Chapel will be expected.
• Hand sanitiser will be available. 
• For advice regarding Minyan and Shiva etiquette, please refer to your Rabbi. 

13 March 2020: Please be advised that while assisting families following the passing of a loved one (irrespective of the cause of passing) and bringing that person into our care, our Funeral Attendants will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as prescribed by The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS ) to protect both families and ourselves during the current period of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) concerns.  

As an essential community service we must attend and perform our duties, so the PPE equipment is now a mandatory requirement. We apologise if this causes any extra stress at this already sensitive time. 

When attending a Funeral please be mindful of all the precautions and guidelines issued by Government and Communal bodies regarding public gatherings and social distancing. Obviously, please refrain from kissing, hugging and hand shaking mourners or other attendees. 

As a community service MCK will be offering all families free webstreaming of the Shtiebel service, allowing friends to particpate from home, rather than attending a large community gathering.