Following the easing of restrictions on 19th July, many of the measures introduced by the government to prevent the spread of the virus have been removed. However, as the number of new infections is increasing rapidly, the safety precautions we introduced to protect our clients and staff will be remaining in place for the foreseeable future.
Arranging a Funeral
During the height of the pandemic, we were only able to offer taking funeral arrangements by telephone. Whilst this remains the safest way to arrange a funeral, in line with the easing of the pandemic restrictions, from Monday 24th January, we will again be offering face to face funeral arrangements. A maximum of two people at any one time may visit the branch to make the arrangements, by prior appointment only. Anyone with a fever or cough or lives with someone with a fever or cough or has tested positive or has been exposed to the Covid-19 virus must not enter our premises. You must wear face masks and we can provide you with the recommended type IIR surgical masks free of charge. Hand sanitizer will also be provided and social distancing of 2 metres must be observed at all times. Your temperature will be taken using a non-contact infrared digital thermometer before you will be allowed to enter the premises. Anyone with a high temperature will not be allowed to enter. Please ring your local branch to arrange an appointment.
Registering the Death
As from 00.01 0n Friday 25th March 2022, it will no longer be possible to register a death remotely and informants will have to do so in person at the Register Office. The government recognise that this is a retrograde step, but legislation will have to be changed to allow remote registration in future.
Visiting the Chapel of Rest
We are still able to offer viewing of the deceased in our chapels of rest, although with those who have sadly died of Covid-19, this will usually only be possible with a closed coffin. A maximum of two people at any one time may visit the branch for a viewing, by prior appointment only. Anyone with a fever or cough or lives with someone with a fever or cough or has tested positive or has been exposed to the Covid-19 virus must not enter our premises. You must wear face masks and we can provide you with the recommended type IIR surgical masks free of charge. Hand sanitizer will also be provided and social distancing of 2 metres must be observed at all times. Your temperature will be taken using a non-contact infrared digital thermometer before you will be allowed to enter the premises. Anyone with a high temperature will not be allowed to enter. Please ring your local branch to arrange an appointment.
Funeral Corteges
We are again able to provide funeral corteges, starting from a home address, as normal.
Limousines
For your safety, we have had our limousines fitted with Perspex hygiene screens that completely separate the driver’s and passengers’ compartments. They have been custom made by the same coachbuilder that manufactures our limousines, so they fit very well. The passengers’ compartment is disinfected between funerals.
Funerals
The restrictions on the number of people who can attend a funeral have been removed.
Those attending funerals are encouraged to take a lateral flow test before doing so. If the test is positive, they must not attend the funeral, but should follow the advice given by the NHS/Public Health England.
Pregnant women, people with existing health problems, anyone with a fever or cough or lives with someone with a fever or cough or has been exposed to the Covid-19 virus or has tested positive should not attend funeral services. Whist it is better to arrange to view the service remotely, those who are self-isolating or in quarantine following international travel may attend a funeral where a legal exemption applies, but must inform the crematorium or cemetery authorities in advance, must maintain social distancing of 2 metres from other mourners in the chapel and must wear a mask, preferably a type IIR, or a non-valved respirator type N95 or FFP2.
Face Coverings
Please note that, from 10th December, the wearing of face coverings or masks whilst inside service chapels at cemeteries and crematoria and places of worship is now mandatory again, unless you are exempt.
Singing
Singing, chanting and the playing of musical instruments is again allowed at funerals.
Track & Trace
It is no longer a requirement that a list of mourners is kept for twenty-one days after the funeral, but it is a good idea to do so. Mourners should check in by scanning the venue’s QR code with the NHS app.
Crematoria
The limit on the numbers of people who may attend a funeral has been lifted and crematorium chapels are now back to their pre-pandemic seating capacities. With the exception of North East Surrey Crematorium, where the chapel is quite small, and Putney Vale, standing in crematorium chapels is generally not permitted, but the TV screens and speaker systems have been switched back on, so additional mourners can stand outside or in the chapel foyer during the service. With the exception of Putney Vale Crematorium, where the waiting room, vestry and East Chapel are closed for refurbishment, waiting rooms have now been re-opened.
Please be aware that hymn books have been removed from crematorium chapels. It is possible to have service sheets printed with the hymn lyrics which can be taken to the crematorium at the time of the funeral, but must be removed after the service. Some crematoria with the Obitus system will have screens on which the hymn lyrics can be displayed. Please ask your funeral arranger.
Most crematoria now have the Wesley or Obitus systems and can usually offer a live webcast or recording of the funeral service, at a small additional cost, which is a very good way for more mourners to be able to witness the service from the safety of their own homes, without having to travel long distances to attend in person. Please ask your funeral arranger what is available at your chosen crematorium.
Most crematoria now allow family pallbearers, but strongly recommend that they wear gloves. Some crematoria will allow a small number of mourners to witness the charging of the coffin in the crematory by prior arrangement only.
Open coffin services are not permitted.
Please do not attempt to enter crematorium offices without an appointment.
Bookings for the scattering or burial of ashes are now being taken again.
Burial
Cemetery chapels are also back to their pre-pandemic seating capacities, but most will not permit additional mourners to stand in the chapel during the service, they must stand outside. There is no limit on the number of mourners who can attend an outdoor service.
Some cemeteries are again permitting backfilling of the grave by family members after the service.