Social distancing is limiting the way people observe wakes and funerals. One Connecticut family today was among the many saying their final goodbyes virtually.

Rudy Schmid died Wednesday from ongoing health complications. His wife, Anna, hadn't been able to visit the hospital for the last six weeks.

"My Aunt Anna and Uncle Rudy have been married for 43 years, I think, since 1977," says nephew Dominick Pagliaro, of Norwalk. "She was just beside herself, very upset that she didn't get to say goodbye."

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The funeral home can't allow more than five visitors at a time. The family took matters into their home, using the virtual meeting format that people have been utilizing for virtual happy hours and other digital gatherings.

Family members were able to use the virtual setting to offer comforting words to Anna and prayers for Rudy.

"She looked in and she started saying the names of people," says Pagliaro. "You could tell by the look on her face and the tone in her voice, that she was so pleasantly surprised."

Pagliaro says he hopes to set an example, especially for young people, about using technology to connect with the people dearest to us.

"Take that skillset, take these things that we might take for granted, and help bring families and friends together in these difficult times," he said.