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Changes to Social Distancing and Funerals
May 4, 2021
Changes to Social Distancing and Funerals - The Rules
From 17th May, the previous maximum of thirty mourners will be scrapped and there will no longer be an absolute limit. Theoretically, that means any number of people can attend, but funeral venues will still have to enforce social distancing. In other words, it’s really important to find out beforehand what your chosen venue can allow because every indoor space will still only be able to accommodate a maximum number of mourners. The government rules state that, “the actual number of people able to attend will depend on how many people can be safely accommodated within the venue with social distancing, and where the funeral venue manager has carried out a risk assessment and taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of COVID-19.” If you’re looking for a church or other venue but you’re worried they might not be able to accommodate the whole family - or you’re searching for a place that can but don’t know where to start, we can offer recommendations. Equally, if you already have a venue booked but don’t know how this change of the rules will affect you, Integrity Funeral care will happily make those inquiries for you. If you’re at all unsure about what you will be able to do, please get in touch and we will offer our best advice.
It’s important to draw a distinction between funerals themselves and what the government terms “commemorative events.” This refers to occasions including stone setting ceremonies, the scattering of ashes or a wake. These are currently limited to fifteen people, indoors or out, and that number is unlikely to change before the further government review of restrictions on 21st June. In these circumstances, you might want to consider holding a virtual wake so more people can come using Zoom for example. If you’re not sure how to do that, by all means get in touch so we can give you a few tips or even arrange to host the event for you.
The number of mourners allowed to visit crematoriums and burial grounds has now gone up in most places in accordance with how many each location can accommodate safely. Pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars can once more host your funeral reception as they have now been allowed to open their indoor areas. There will still be some restrictions in place, such as a limit of six people and socially distanced tables. Again, we can help with finding out each location’s specific limits as we can with alternative venues including community centres, conference halls or meeting rooms.
At Integrity Funeral Care, we understand that families have very strong feelings about the way their loved one is dressed for their burial or cremation. Communication is key, and it is very important to us that between us, we make sure we know precisely what your wishes are...
If you choose to have your loved one cremated, within a week or so after the event, their ashes will be passed by the crematorium to us as your funeral director. We will then get in touch with you to let you know that we have them, that they are safe, and to ask you what you would like to have done with them...
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Selecting a funeral director can be a confusing business. We only do it when we’re at our lowest and when we’re least inclined to do lengthy research to find the best option. Sometimes it’s tempting to go for a corporate, High Street chain. The name will be familiar, and it can feel like a really big business is most likely to do a good job. However, we think taking the independent route is best, and here are the reasons why...
Where once when people died they left behind paperwork and hopefully a will, today we all also have a digital footprint which can contain things of great value, material or sentimental. More and more people are losing precious memories locked away on a loved one’s social media profiles....
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Most of us would probably say we’re not defined by the job we do, but by who we are as people. As a funeral director over the past few years I’ve come to realise that the two, for me, are indistinguishable. I’m a mum and a wife and a sister and a daughter, but the way I view these things is undoubtedly affected by the work I do...
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