"We cannot continue to ignore the potential risk being posed to funeral directors who are currently not considered a priority for vaccination."
The Irish Association of Funeral Directors has appealed to the government to make the 2,500 people working in the funeral industry a vaccination priority.
The IAFD said now that nursing home and hospital staff have received their vaccinations, the government needs to consider funeral directors next.
The association said a vaccine would provide an added layer of protection to its members when they carry out their daily activities of meeting families, removing deceased from nursing homes, hospitals and private residences, attending funerals and hosting private reposals in their funeral homes.
Members of the IAFD conduct 80% of the funerals that take place across Ireland.
Donal Forde, President of The Irish Association of Funeral Directors, said: “We are calling on the government to implement a dedicated vaccination programme for all funeral Directors, to offer them comfort as they provide an essential service to grieving families. We cannot continue to ignore the potential risk being posed to Funeral Directors who are currently not considered a priority for vaccination.
"We also have a duty to protect the vulnerable people with whom we come into contact from contracting the virus, especially in nursing homes and hospitals. In time, these facilities may be reluctant to admit anyone who has not been vaccinated, including Funeral Directors, therefore we would ask the government to consider vaccination of our members as a priority.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic we have been respectful of and adhered to HSE guidelines and as we learn to live with the virus and become more informed, it is important for our members to feel as safe as possible while providing a vital public service. We believe that with the implementation of a dedicated vaccination programme by government for Funeral Directors and their staff that our members would have added reassurance in doing their job.”
