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Ceremonies

People gather around a coffin on a boat

Mourning in the midst of a pandemic

COVID-19

The coronavirus has fundamentally changed how we live our lives, but perhaps most heartbreakingly, how we deal with death. Around the world, centuries-old burial rituals are being stopped. Gatherings to mourn someone’s death are limited. Even something as simple as a hug for a grieving friend is now essentially out of bounds.

No secular music for funerals, says Australian Catholic Church

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The World

Australian church bans secular music for funerals

Arts, Culture & Media

Catholic officials in Australia have issued new guidelines that ban secular music from being played at funerals. It’s meant to guard against music that isn’t considered ‘solemn’ enough. Anchor Lisa Mullins finds out more from the BBC’s Phil Mercer.

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