Nia Vardalos was unable to attend her father’s funeral ‘because of social distancing’

Nia Vardalos has revealed she was unable to travel to attend her father Constantine’s funeral due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The 57-year-old actress said the widespread focus on self-isolation as authorities around the world try to slow the spread of the illness meant she was unable to fly to Canada for her dad’s memorial.

‘Because of #socialdistancing we could not give him the large funeral he earned with his life,’ the My Big Fat Greek Wedding star revealed on Instagram on Thursday. 

The heartfelt post showed her actor father on the set of his daughter’s film My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.

The screen veteran played the role of ‘Chanter’ in both that film and its predecessor. 

Nia described her dad as having ‘impeccable timing’ -even in death- in an interview with Variety on Friday.

‘If he had gone 14 days ago when they weren’t acknowledging the global threat, we all would have gathered and… could have spread something,’ she told the industry publication.’

‘I think my father knew he was keeping people safe.’ 

The Hustler actor’s funeral was livestreamed from the church, per Variety. 

In her Instagram post, Vardalos put out a call for people to donate to their favorite charities in her father’s memory.

‘Please repost, tag your favorite celebrities with this post and tag your favorite charity. We can do good,’ she wrote in the caption. 

‘As we #StayHome during #Covid19 to protect my mom, all parents, each other, and the globe, let’s move past the toilet paper hoarding jokes and the videos from celebs. We can do this.’ 

‘Donate money, masks, gloves, food, anything. I am grateful for my life, this last week of mourning made me even more sure that giving back and connectivity is the way forward.’