Grieving relatives left devastated over limits on son’s funeral service
GORDON Santo’s family has faced the agony of losing a loved one and the financial pain of funding his funeral after his sudden death.
But added to the emotional toll has been whittling down the number of family members who can attend to say their final farewells on Friday.
Mr Santo, also known as Gordie or The Big Unit, was killed in a head-on crash on the Bruce Highway near Farleigh on April 6.
His mother, Deborah Santo, said the delay in burying her son was due in part to financial restraints, but also by the coronavirus pandemic, which restricted the number of people able to attend the funeral.
“We wanted to see if the restrictions would change,” Mrs Santo said.
Chief health officer directives meant in the weeks after Mr Santo’s death just 10 people would have been able to attend a funeral. The restrictions have been relaxed to 30 people.
Mrs Santo said her family had applied unsuccessfully to the Health Department for 80 to 100 people to be allowed to attend the graveside service.
Accepting the decision, Mrs Santo said the family had cut the attendees to 30 people, but sought approval for six more pallbearers – who would not be part of the official service. The decision was denied.
“We’re devastated,” she said. A Queensland Health spokesman said while unable to comment on individual exemptions, “limiting large gatherings is critical in ensuring we continue to slow the spread of COVID-19”.