Scotland, from 26 April 2021
Key facts:
Up to 50 people now permitted at funeral services, indoors or outdoors, and at post-funeral receptions, which can be indoors. Alcohol can be served at these, indoors or out. Social distancing should be maintained.
National Association of Funeral Directors statement here.
Full Scottish Government details of hospitality regulations here.
England, from 13 April (subject to change - please check Government website)
Up to 30 people at funeral services, indoors or out. Only 15 allowed at post-funeral reception, and hospitality (not clear if this includes alcohol) can only be provided out of doors. Full details here but remember, these regulations are changing all the time.
England, as of 22 January 2021
Key facts:
From 6 January, during the national lockdown people are permitted to leave their homes to attend a funeral as well as other religious, belief-based, or commemorative events that are linked to a person’s death, as long as they follow the relevant rules and guidance.
During the national lockdown, funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people.
Scotland: No changes in 2021 so far. Here are the detailed regulations (and advice) for funerals in Scotland, as at 27 October 2020:
Wales (as at 15 February 2021)
No specific limit on number at a funeral but it depends on the venue capacity and the strict rules that 2-metres distancing be maintained.
Northern Ireland (as at 15 February 2021)
Maximum of 25 people can attend a funeral, Full details here (scroll down through other regulations almost to the end)
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you
19 April
Interesting piece from The Guardian about the rise in 'no-frills' unattended cremations. David Bowie credited with beginning to make them fashionable...
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/apr/18/no-frills-cremations-coronavirus-changing-funerals-britain
Here's a story from The Shetland News about the local hospital chaplain Neil Brice and conducting a virtual memorial service on Zoom:
https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/04/17/compassion-still-has-a-place-virtual-funeral-services-give-folk-chance-to-pay-tribute-to-loved-ones-during-pandemic/
16 April
Scotland launches new 'bereavement charter' for children and adults.
This sets out aims for how we should look at and deal with death and the bereaved in our society. Clearly, it comes at a very sensitive time. Its aims are laudable and should inform all practical decisions taken in the funeral industry, churches and independent secular celebrants.
https://scottishcare.org/bereavement/
13 April
Scots urged not to delay funeral services, as storage of remains is putting pressure on funeral directors and crematoria.
https://twitter.com/BBCScotlandNews/status/1249671798817533952
2 April
Funerals in Scotland. New rules. Excellent BBC article.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-52123899
23 March
Nicola Sturgeon says that all funerals must now be 'immediate family only' https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2095606/scotland-lockdown-weddings-off-restrictions-on-funerals-and-no-gatherings-of-more-than-two-people/
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2095606/scotland-lockdown-weddings-off-restrictions-on-funerals-and-no-gatherings-of-more-than-two-people/
Aberdeen Crematorium will accept no further bookings for chapel services, while continuing to carry out cremations. Bookings for chapel services already made will be honoured for the moment, but social distancing must be observed by those attending.
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/bin-collections-gritting-and-emergency-housing-repairs-will-continue-in-aberdeen-during-coronavirus1/
21 March:
- Waiting for confirmation but it seems fairly likely that crematoria will move to non-attended cremations only - in other words, no services.
- New Scottish regulations that ashes have to be collected by family from crematoria within 4 months of cremation or they would be disposed of are being suspended
- Restrictions on funeral services in churches and halls vary but seems certain move will be towards graveside services only for burials.
New NAFD pandemic guidelines
https://nafd.org.uk/pandemic-planning/
National Association of Funeral Directors to meet Government on 17 March. Current NAFD advice here:
https://nafd.org.uk/news/
Plans for 'funerals by phone' in Scotland
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/coronavirus-plans-funerals-phone-24-21686122
In Ireland, it was announced at the start of March by the Irish Association of Funeral Directors that "all funeral services for coronavirus victims should be postponed, and the deceased brought straight to the crematorium or cemetery for committal." It also recommended banning family members from funeral homes and from limousines for transport.
According to the Irish Times, this has now been modified, though funerals can only take place under strictly controlled conditions. There will be no kissing of the body.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/coronavirus-funerals-to-be-held-under-controlled-conditions-1.4202127
Limits on numbers at funerals in Northern Ireland
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-undertakers-dilemma-over-restrictions-on-funerals-39043411.html
19 April
Interesting piece from The Guardian about the rise in 'no-frills' unattended cremations. David Bowie credited with beginning to make them fashionable...
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/apr/18/no-frills-cremations-coronavirus-changing-funerals-britain
Here's a story from The Shetland News about the local hospital chaplain Neil Brice and conducting a virtual memorial service on Zoom:
https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/04/17/compassion-still-has-a-place-virtual-funeral-services-give-folk-chance-to-pay-tribute-to-loved-ones-during-pandemic/
16 April
Scotland launches new 'bereavement charter' for children and adults.
This sets out aims for how we should look at and deal with death and the bereaved in our society. Clearly, it comes at a very sensitive time. Its aims are laudable and should inform all practical decisions taken in the funeral industry, churches and independent secular celebrants.
https://scottishcare.org/bereavement/
13 April
Scots urged not to delay funeral services, as storage of remains is putting pressure on funeral directors and crematoria.
https://twitter.com/BBCScotlandNews/status/1249671798817533952
2 April
Funerals in Scotland. New rules. Excellent BBC article.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-52123899
23 March
Nicola Sturgeon says that all funerals must now be 'immediate family only' https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2095606/scotland-lockdown-weddings-off-restrictions-on-funerals-and-no-gatherings-of-more-than-two-people/
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2095606/scotland-lockdown-weddings-off-restrictions-on-funerals-and-no-gatherings-of-more-than-two-people/
Aberdeen Crematorium will accept no further bookings for chapel services, while continuing to carry out cremations. Bookings for chapel services already made will be honoured for the moment, but social distancing must be observed by those attending.
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/bin-collections-gritting-and-emergency-housing-repairs-will-continue-in-aberdeen-during-coronavirus1/
21 March:
- Waiting for confirmation but it seems fairly likely that crematoria will move to non-attended cremations only - in other words, no services.
- New Scottish regulations that ashes have to be collected by family from crematoria within 4 months of cremation or they would be disposed of are being suspended
- Restrictions on funeral services in churches and halls vary but seems certain move will be towards graveside services only for burials.
New NAFD pandemic guidelines
https://nafd.org.uk/pandemic-planning/
National Association of Funeral Directors to meet Government on 17 March. Current NAFD advice here:
https://nafd.org.uk/news/
Plans for 'funerals by phone' in Scotland
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/coronavirus-plans-funerals-phone-24-21686122
In Ireland, it was announced at the start of March by the Irish Association of Funeral Directors that "all funeral services for coronavirus victims should be postponed, and the deceased brought straight to the crematorium or cemetery for committal." It also recommended banning family members from funeral homes and from limousines for transport.
According to the Irish Times, this has now been modified, though funerals can only take place under strictly controlled conditions. There will be no kissing of the body.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/coronavirus-funerals-to-be-held-under-controlled-conditions-1.4202127
Limits on numbers at funerals in Northern Ireland
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-undertakers-dilemma-over-restrictions-on-funerals-39043411.html
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