AUSTIN, Texas — When you scroll down the Mission Funeral Home's Facebook page, you may see something you have never seen before: a funeral being streamed on Facebook Live.
"We immediately went to livestreaming because we know that was the only way to share with everyone else expecting to participate," said Charles Villaseñor, the owner of Mission Funeral Home.
Villaseñor said he had to adapt to the state's limitations on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We are having to make changes for families such as limiting 10 people inside a chapel and limiting the persons that go to the gravesite," Villaseñor said.
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"It was rough in the beginning because things were changing by the hour, by the day and, towards the end, it was changing by the minute," Henry Gonzales said.
Gonzalez was one of the few family members who could attend his niece's funeral on Friday.
"We couldn't go to the luncheon, we usually have the luncheon afterward," Gonzales said.
He said it was difficult not to show affection.
"We did a little hugging but not at much. We kept it limited," he said.
Gonzales said the upside is that his family who couldn't travel were able to see the funeral.
"One nephew tells me it was clear and he told me it was like he was there," he said.
As things continue to change, Villaseñor said he will keep adjusting.
"Just last night, I received a notice in our office that one of our florists we work with a lot are out of flowers. But we are prepared to make the changes and take the measures necessary to protect the public and the family," Villaseñor said.
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