Coronavirus Update - FUNERALS AND VISITORS AT THE NATURAL BURIAL GROUNDS

You can find our up to date guidance on funerals, visiting the natural burial ground and coronavirus  here...

​Our natural burial grounds are open and we are able to offer funerals and burials. 

We are also able to offer scatter of ashes, interment of ashes and memorial tree planting where permitted, however you may wish to delay these until a later date when attendance is not limited. 

Attendance at funerals is by invite only due to the limited numbers that can attend funerals at present. If attending a funeral your details may be requested for test and trace. 

Please do not attend funerals or visit the natural burial ground if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, have been in contact with or living with someone experiencing symptoms or have been requested to self Isolate by NHS Test & Trace until safe to do so.

More information on funeral attendance and visits to our natural burial grounds can be found below.

We have also updated added our details to the test and trace app you scan find the NHS QR Codes for our natural burial grounds in Wales and England here.

England  - 
Information for  Bath,  Aylesbury Vale and Henley-On-Thames. 
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Under current lockdown rules our natural burial grounds in England are open for funerals, interments, ceremonial events such as scatters, interments and memorial ceremonies and private grave visits only .
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It is essential that Coronavirus guidance is followed. You can find the latest government guidance and COVID-19 updates for funerals and visitors here.

• A limit of 30 people can attend a funeral – anyone working is not included in this number
• A limit of 15 people can attend a linked religious, belief-based or ceremonial event – anyone working is not included in this number
• Social distancing of 2m should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
• We recommend that details are taken for test and trace.​
• Face coverings are not required for outdoor funerals. 
• Professional, socially-distanced vocal or instrumental contributions can take place either indoors or outdoors, outside wherever possible. Singing should be limited to a small, set group of no more than 6 people, staying at least 2 metres apart, and should not include audience participation. Instrumental music (excluding wind instruments) or recordings are permitted . 
  
• Overnight stays at someone else's home to attend a funeral are not
  permitted unless they are part of the same support bubble. Hotels may
  remain open to provide accommodation for anyone attending a funeral or
  other religious, belief-based or commemorative event in all local restriction
  tiers ​​. 
• As advised by the government "you may wish to consider deferring a commemorative event, such as a wake or memorial service, until further social restrictions have been lifted."
• Further Information regarding linked events such as wakes and post funeral celebrations can be found here . Please refer to your current lockdown Tier for correct information - what tier your area is in. 

​Scotland  - Information for  Hundy Mundy Scottish Borders, Delliefure Cairngorms and Cothiemuir Hill, Aberdeenshire. 

• In person attendance at funeral services should be limited to a maximum of 20 people for areas in levels 1 – 4 and 50 for areas in level 0.  This is not including the funeral director, venue staff or celebrant but, it does include children under 12. 
• Funeral related ceremonial events (e.g. ashes scatterings) should be limited to a maximum of 20 people in areas with level 1 to 4 restrictions and 50 people in level 0.  Physical distancing should be adhered to at all times.
• Face coverings are not required for outdoor funerals.
•  Social distancing of 2m should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
• As per the Scottish government guidelines, "You should not sing or chant during a funeral, You can still play recorded music and we an allow the use of bagpipers at our outdoor funerals as long as social distancing is observed.
  
• As per the Scottish Government's Test And Protect Guidance we are required to gather minimal contact details from those attending funeral services to help support NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect service. Those attending a funeral will have to do so on the basis that they are agreeing for these details to be taken. 
• Further Information regarding linked events such as wakes and post funeral celebrations can be found here ​

​Wales  - Information for  Usk Castle Chase,  Cardiff and the Vale and Pembrokeshire.  

• Family and friends of up to 30 people can attend a funeral service. 
• Linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as scatter of ashes can  continue with up to 6 people in attendance. 
• Social distancing of 2m should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
• Those attending a funeral are required to wear face coverings throughout the duration of the ceremony with the exemption of individuals with a reasonable excuse, such as:

-they are not able to put on or wear a face covering because of a physical or mental illness, or because of a disability or impairment; or
- they are accompanying somebody who relies on lip reading where they need to communicate.

• We recommend that details are taken for test and trace. 
• Singing and playing music outdoors is permissible for an outdoor service as long as social distancing is observed - we recommend the use of non-wind instruments if possible, however these are permitted at outdoor services. 
• You are allowed to stay overnight away from your home if you need accommodation to attend a funeral or related commemorative event (Tier 4).

 Visitors 

We are able to permit visitors to the natural burial grounds however any visitors not part of a funeral party need to ensure that social distancing of at least 2m is adhered to. We  recommend that hand sanitiser is used before opening and closing gates, and request that you do not approach funerals or burials that are taking place which follow separate guidance. Further guidance on using green spaces safely as visitors can be found below: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-on-accessing-green-spaces-safely 

Further information and links to current funeral and visitor guidance can be found at https://www.leedam.com/coronavirus.html
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