From event company owners to virtual funeral specialists: Md. couple pivots during COVID
ARLINGTON, Va. (ABC7) — One of the many events that have changed for us during the pandemic are funerals. Instead of big gatherings, most were limited to just immediate family.
A local couple, whose business came to a stop, came up with a way to use their skills to help families during their time of grief.
Dorothy Brault was the epitome of a matriarch.
"She had eight kids in 10 years all before she was 30!" her son Tom Brault told ABC7.
Brault's mother passed away during the pandemic. Their large family was lost without being able to gather for her funeral. A new local company, called "Farewell Partners" helped carry the load.
"There was a calm there and a comfort that it would be done really well," Brault said.
Tim and Maria Covell were used to running large events. Grand dinners and conferences were their specialties for 25 years with their company "Capital City Events." But then that familiar pandemic era refrain: "It all came to a screeching halt very suddenly," said Maria.
Right before the pandemic, the Covells also suffered a big loss. Tim's brother Chuck died in an accident.
"Healthy happy, literally here one day and was gone the next," Tim Covell said.
"We thought, well, first of all, we know what that feels like, the need to have that gathering when you have experienced such a tragic loss or loss at all, we know what that feels like, we also know how to bring people together, we've been bringing people together for 25 years," Maria Covell said.
So they pivoted to create "Farewell Partners." They manage virtual funerals and receptions, bringing people together all over the world. The idea is to make it smooth and seamless. Running logistics behind the scenes, lining up speakers, muting microphones and keeping the program going.
"Then they are only focused on their loved one who has passed away they aren't worried about any other details, and these are joyful celebrations," said Maria Covell. "We feel as though it's been kind of a bright light for us during this pandemic to provide this service for people."
Tom Brault says Farewell Partners helped bring comfort when his family needed it most.
"I'd like to wish everyone well in their grief, this helps," he said.
Brault says the link to his mom's funeral has been shared hundreds of times and will be passed down within the family for generations.
The Covells hope to get back to Capital City Events in full, soon. But they want to provide virtual funerals even after the pandemic, for families who can't travel.
