Coronavirus Guidance
Our natural burial grounds are open for funerals, burials, commemorative events & visitors.
Please do not visit the natural burial ground if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 or self isolating. Those self isolating, experiencing symptoms Covid 19 or living with someone experiencing symptoms should not attend funerals until safe to do so.
If you are attending a funeral your details may be requested for test and trace. We have added our details to the test and trace app and you can find the NHS QR Codes for our natural burial grounds here.
Visitors are welcome at the natural burial grounds. Any visitor 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.
If you are attending a funeral your details may be requested for test and trace. We have added our details to the test and trace app and you can find the NHS QR Codes for our natural burial grounds here.
Visitors are welcome at the natural burial grounds. Any visitor 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.
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 - more information can be found here.
General Government Guidance on funerals, wakes and ceremonial events can be found at the links below:
Wales: 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:
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 and stay safe.
General Government Guidance on funerals, wakes and ceremonial events can be found at the links below:
Wales: 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 or if anyone attending the a funeral is in a period of self-isolation.
- Restrictions on funerals - please refer to the latest guidance.
- Wakes including picnics and post funeral gatherings - guidance on gatherings following a funeral service can be found within the general funeral guidance above:
- 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 and stay safe.
