Southern California Mortuary Handles Increased Deaths During COVID-19 Pandemic

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 31: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image depicts death.) (EDITOR'S NOTE: Editorial use only.) Mario Frausto reacts after the identification viewing of his deceased husband Terrance Sheppard, who passed away due to COVID-19 complications, amid an overflow of the departed during the pandemic at McKenzie Mortuary Services on March 31, 2021 in Long Beach, California. Frausto said they met in elementary school and had been best friends ever since. They were married eight years ago. Frausto said, 'I miss my Terry so much. I think of him every day. Every second.' Ken McKenzie opened his mortuary during the AIDS epidemic, while some of his friends were dying of the disease. He openly received the bodies of AIDS victims without charging extra fees or turning away families. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)