Coronavirus precautions
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.
Please note that attendance at funerals is by invite only and 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 (or have been in contact with or living with someone experiencing symptoms) until safe to do so.
We are able to permit visits to graves at 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 safety as visitors can be found below:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-on-accessing-green-spaces-safely
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.
Please note that attendance at funerals is by invite only and 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 (or have been in contact with or living with someone experiencing symptoms) until safe to do so.
We are able to permit visits to graves at 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 safety as visitors can be found below:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-on-accessing-green-spaces-safely
Guidance for Funerals
To ensure that mourners and staff are safe we are currently following government guidance for funerals, please be aware there is different guidance for England, Scotland and Wales and the relevant tier assigned. You can find the links to further information below including the tier that is assigned to your area.
For our latest Covid 19 update on funerals including numbers that are able to attend and current guidelines for your natural burial ground (including those that may be affected by local lockdowns) please click here.
General Guidance on funerals can be found at the links below:
Wales:
https://gov.wales/alert-level-4-frequently-asked-questions#section-58346
https://gov.wales/guidance-funerals-covid-19
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-funeral-services/pages/funeral-service/
England: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
Additional measures in relation to our burial grounds:
Wales: Social gatherings or ‘wakes’ associated with the funeral should follow the same principles to define the maximum number, except that they are capped at 30 people both in and outdoors (this excludes staff facilitating the event).
England: Pre-funeral and post-funeral ceremonies may be held in line with the guidance on Staying alert and safe (social distancing).
Scotland: Post-funeral gatherings - In line with wider restrictions currently in place on public gatherings, no large post-funeral gathering should take place after the conclusion of the funeral service. Gatherings of individuals and households, outwith a funeral service, should instead remain in line with current restrictions on meeting others. Further information about meeting members of other households is available in wider phase 3 guidance.
We will gladly do our best to answer any questions you might have by telephone, but regrettably we can no longer accept visitors to the office.
For more information on funerals and Covid 19 please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our best wishes to all.
To ensure that mourners and staff are safe we are currently following government guidance for funerals, please be aware there is different guidance for England, Scotland and Wales and the relevant tier assigned. You can find the links to further information below including the tier that is assigned to your area.
For our latest Covid 19 update on funerals including numbers that are able to attend and current guidelines for your natural burial ground (including those that may be affected by local lockdowns) please click here.
General Guidance on funerals can be found at the links below:
Wales:
https://gov.wales/alert-level-4-frequently-asked-questions#section-58346
https://gov.wales/guidance-funerals-covid-19
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-funeral-services/pages/funeral-service/
England: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
Additional measures in relation to our burial grounds:
- Access - We recommend bringing hand sanitiser and using this before and after opening gates to the natural burial ground. Please be aware that we do not have the facilities to wash hands at the natural burial grounds.
- Notification - we must be told if the deceased died of corona-virus.
- Restrictions on funerals - please refer to our latest guidance here.
- Wakes including picnics and post funeral gatherings - the below guidance on gatherings following a funeral service can be found within the general funeral guidance above:
Wales: Social gatherings or ‘wakes’ associated with the funeral should follow the same principles to define the maximum number, except that they are capped at 30 people both in and outdoors (this excludes staff facilitating the event).
England: Pre-funeral and post-funeral ceremonies may be held in line with the guidance on Staying alert and safe (social distancing).
Scotland: Post-funeral gatherings - In line with wider restrictions currently in place on public gatherings, no large post-funeral gathering should take place after the conclusion of the funeral service. Gatherings of individuals and households, outwith a funeral service, should instead remain in line with current restrictions on meeting others. Further information about meeting members of other households is available in wider phase 3 guidance.
- Contact with remains - we recommend that coffins should not be carried on shoulders. Our custodians will protect themselves by keeping a distance away from the funeral party and will not shake hands or have physical or close contact with funeral staff, visitors or mourners. Back-filling the grave will be carried out by machine only.
- Office Procedures - arrangements should only be made by email/phone/BACS - please scan and email forms as pdf copies
- Cancellation - it is possible that we will not have the human resources to undertake the funeral as requested. We must therefore reserve the right to cancel at any time. If possible we will make alternative arrangements. If not, we will refund the burial ground's charges.
We will gladly do our best to answer any questions you might have by telephone, but regrettably we can no longer accept visitors to the office.
For more information on funerals and Covid 19 please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our best wishes to all.
