Over 100,000 Americans have already died during the coronavirus pandemic, causing enormous changes in traditional ways of honoring their passing. Saying goodbye to loved ones, while observing social distancing guidelines, has presented a heartbreaking challenge to families left behind. They opt for drive-by wakes, masked funeral services and memorials via Zoom. But even with precautions in place, tragedy can strike.

In Illinois, three people died and 16 were infected after attending a funeral service. And in Georgia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked 20 cases of COVID-19 to a double memorial service, according to CNN. In Mississippi, a single funeral caused “many, many cases,” and the state’s health officer said, “We don’t want a funeral to lead to more funerals.”

Many funeral homes don’t allow viewings to minimize the spread of the virus. This has made many mourners say they missed having closure by viewing the casket of their deceased loved ones and bidding them farewell.

According to CNET, enforced distancing during a time of traditional togetherness denies people the comforts of a hug, a shoulder to cry on and a sense of finality that’s part of the grieving process.

While acknowledging that nothing can replace a gathering of loved ones, using Zoom, Skype, or YouTube to hold a virtual memorial service is an alternative that allows family and friends to pay tribute and offer readings to honor the deceased, says CNET.

One family told CNN that the virtual memorial service through Zoom actually was a blessing. Ben Phillips wanted to honor his military dad, Donald Truett Phillips, a veteran of the US Army who served in Vietnam when he passed away after a long battle with cancer. The elder Phillips wrote down his request for a traditional Baptist funeral with lots of friends, family and food.

While he didn’t receive the military honors he had wished for, and his family could not gather over the fried chicken dinner he planned, Phillips’ sons found GatheringUs, an online memorial service. Two days after a private burial, 97 extended family members and friends all across the nation logged on to the memorial service and were able to share memories.

“Even tough times have some silver linings,” Ben Phillips told CNN. “In the end, it really provided some blessings for our family.”