Lockdown three is in full force and the government intends to keep it going well into February and possibly beyond. There are many things that are affected by the lockdown’s, including the rules and restrictions on gatherings including funerals. We are updating you with the basics of the latest restrictions in line with the pandemic and the current lockdown government guidance.

How many people can attend a funeral?

Funerals are now restricted to 30 mourners for the service, but only six people are permitted to attend a wake. Burial services are still permitted but again there is a restriction on the amount of people able to attend burials. These limits do not include anybody working at the funeral i.e funeral directors and those hosting the service.

Are crematoriums still open during the lockdown?

Crematoriums are on the exceptions list and are permitted to stay open during the lockdown but for funeral services only.

What are the guidelines for funeral services specifically?

You should wear a mask whilst attending a funeral service, whilst maintaining social distancing rules at all times with anybody other than your household or support bubble. Relevant religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can continue, but must adhere strictly to the guidelines set out and should only be attended by a maximum of six people.

Do funeral directors need to use PPE?

Those handling bodies should be aware that there is likely to be a continuing risk of infection from body fluids and tissues where coronavirus infection is suspected or confirmed. While the risk of infectious transmission is lower than for living patients, action should be taken to mitigate that risk. If you are not sure exactly what is and isn’t permitted, you should take further information from the government website before you proceed with arrangements and talk to us at Thomas Brothers the Funeral Directors and we will guide you through the process..

After the death of a loved one, one of the most difficult things you will have to overcome is going back to normality, including going back to work. This can be hard if you are not prepared; we are sharing some tips for going back to work after bereavement.

Making Sure Your Co-Workers Are Prepared…

You will likely to be in contact with your boss and HR during the time of loss, and if they can prepare your co-workers for your return as much as possible, that would be really considerate and helpful. Avoiding unnecessary awkward and uncomfortable questions is paramount to being able to get back to normal and focus at work, so if you can advise your boss or HR what to reiterate to Co-workers in the lead up to your return, that will be really helpful.

Find moments to be alone and gather your thoughts…

It’s important to have moments alone and to find yourself a safe space where you can take a minute when you’re feeling overwhelmed or tearful. There is no shame in expressing your distress, however having moments of time to reflect and grieve alone is important and will help you to keep it together whilst focusing on work.

Keep focused and busy during your workday…

It can be a blessing to be busy at work, especially when you’re returning from bereavement leave. Starting new projects and getting stuck back into your work can really relieve your grief, and can help you to move forward with your life, as the famous saying goes, time can be a healer. Be sure to not to overdo it though, and take on more than you can handle, know your limits and keep a good balance.

 

The Coronavirus pandemic has been a dark cloud over the entire world that won’t budge. During this time we are experiencing more grief and bereavement than ever before, which is why it is more important than ever to check in and support your family and friends, as well as making your own emotions are priority during these adverse times.

We have been putting together some of the ways you can not only deal with your own grief and bereavement during this pandemic, but also how you can help those around you too.

Technology Can Go Far…

With a second lockdown on it’s way, there is nothing more important than keeping in touch and supporting each other where we can during these times where we have to be physically distant from each other. Technology is a great way to keep connected and have personal experiences with your family and friends during the lockdown periods we are facing. There are many different ways to seek support through technology, and it can really keep you connected to the outside the world when you are struggling the most. Try to make time for daily calls with family and friends, at your own pace of course, whether that be using Zoom or video calling on Facebook.

Make Time For Yourself

One of the very few positives we can take from this pandemic, is that it has given many of us the opportunity to slow down, reflect and focus on taking better care of ourselves. Making time for yourself when you are grieving is essential for moving forward and dealing with you emotions delicately.

Practical Support Where Necessary

You may feel like practical support isn’t an option during the pandemic and lockdown periods, or you may feel uncomfortable asking for help but there are many organisations and charities out there working round the clock to provide support for everybody that needs it. You can still seek help to get daily tasks done and form a support bubble if you are alone with extended family that will help with keeping your everyday routine and your needs taken care of.

The Coronavirus outbreak that has gripped the entire world in 2020, is now gearing up for a second wave that is on the rise daily and expected to peak during October.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, addressed the nation on Tuesday to confirm that we are in the grips of a second wave of the virus, that is likely to infect over 50,000 people by the second week of October, with a very similar projection as the first wave that hit us in March.

With the uncertainty surrounding the second wave and how our lives could be impacted, along with an unknown number of deaths expected, the Prime Minister has tightened up on the restrictions in England and the rest of the UK following similar suit which include tighter restrictions on pubs and restaurants, a rule of six and restrictions remaining firmly in place on funerals, but not strengthened.

Funerals have not been impacted by any further restrictions at present. The government’s current guidance on funerals in England and Wales is that up to 30 people are allowed to gather for services outdoors, as long as they are socially distanced.

In Scotland, the current maximum of guests attending a funeral still sits at 20, and in Northern Ireland, the number of people who can go to a funeral depends on the size of the venue. If the person is being buried, a maximum of 30 people can gather at the graveside for the burial.

It is not uncommon to have tight budgets when it comes to planning a funeral, as with many losses, these can come unexpected and unplanned, meaning you are not always prepared for the financial obligations needed to fulfill a funeral. We have some great tips for saving money on funeral costs when your budget is tight.

Considering Cremation

When it comes to deciding whether to have a burial or a cremation, it is usually much cheaper for cremation, depending on the options you choose. If cremation was always on the cards for you, you can also save money by spreading ashes in a special, memorable place versus having them buried into the ground. Popular choices for spreading ashes are beaches, a loved one’s garden or any memorable location that resonates.

Holding The Service On A Weekday

Weekend funerals can be more convenient for guests but usually come at a much higher price. You will be able to find the cheapest slots for cremation services or burials early in the week on Mondays and Tuesdays, obviously this does depend on your provider, but you can contact them and they will be able to recommend according to your budget.

Choosing The Right Funeral Director

Your funeral director will be the largest financial commitment you make when planning a funeral, so making sure you choose the right one for your choices and your budget. Your funeral director should offer clear direction in your funeral arrangements and be completely transparent about any costs you will incur, whilst making sure you don’t stray from your budget with expert advice.

Saving Money On Memorial Costs

A memorial averages at around £824 in the UK, but there are many ways that you can reduce the cost if you choose to have a memorial. There are lots of different types to choose from, popular physical memorials are benches, headstones and mausoleums.

• Typically headstones or plaques come in marble, granite and stone, granite being the cheapest option of the three.
• The shape of headstone memorials usually range in price too, with flat being the cheapest choice.
• Drawings, letters and designs on a headstone all vary in price too, so baring that in mind when designing your headstone is essential too.

A really popular low budget way to deliver a physical memorial, is by planting a tree in memory of your loved one. This is a great, long lasting way to remember them, and won’t break the bank doing it.

At Thomas Brothers we work with customers with all different budgets, and have the expertise to offer a high quality service no matter what, as well as providing direction and a fully comprehensive service that will give your loved one the best send off.

The Church Of England resumed service on Monday 15th June, although restricted, this is the progress families and the government has been urging the CofE to consider for weeks, as non essential businesses open and the pandemic begins to loosen its grip on the UK. Although, churches will now hold funerals this does not mean that they will accommodate or resume ‘normal practice’ and won’t be expected to in the near future. There are restrictions still in place to adhere with safety guidelines, but the progress itself has been a relief for many families across the UK.

The welcomed announcement follows the government’s decision to allow places of worship to reopen for individual prayer from Monday, although communal worship will not be permitted until the beginning at the earliest.

Churches will of course, encourage social distancing and limiting numbers of attendees will be strongly advise as the government still prioritise the efforts to help the COVID 19 death rates decline and ultimately stopping the spread completely.

Hymns and singing “are not advised” and the use of communal bibles or other books should be avoided. Wakes and celebrations of life should be avoided and only taken place in accordance with the developing guidelines set out by the government.

A C of E statement said that the move was in line with guidance from Public Health England, and guidelines have been set out for all churches to follow, something that is likely to continuously develop over the coming weeks and months ahead.

The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, who chairs the Church of England’s Recovery Group, said:

“There are now least some signs of hope of an improvement with a fall both in the number of new infections and the death rate, but there will still, sadly, have to be significant limitations on how we mark funerals for some time to come.

“Nevertheless, the House of Bishops has agreed that, in light of the changing circumstances, it is time to review our advice so that it will soon be possible for funeral services to be conducted inside church buildings following Government guidelines.

“At the same time we are actively planning for a wider phased reopening of places of worship when it is safe and practical to do so and look forward to the time when we can meet and worship together again in out buildings which mean so much to so many.”

If you need more information or looking for advice on how Thomas Brothers can help with the arrangement and organisation of funerals during this difficult time, we are here to help and welcoming families to contact us with any concerns or questions.

A group of MPs from the Conservative Party have been urging the Church Of England to soften their strict restrictions slightly, to allow small funerals to offer dignity and a sentimental send off for loved ones during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Churches were closed indefinitely in March, with funerals being restricted to only graveside and crematorium services. The prime minister’s spokesman said the issue was “ultimately a matter for the Church of England” but added that the guidance was “clear that funerals are able to go ahead in places of worship and crematoria where it is possible to do so”.

The MPs say the Church should “consider, most intently, the pain and anguish of those families unable to have a funeral”, asking for their compassion “to shine through in your considerations and deliberations today”.

There is now a three stage process in place for the churches to reopen as the Coronavirus cases and deaths continue to decline over the weeks ahead. The first stage would see churches facilitating the streaming of funerals to those who are not immediate family members. Followed by the second and third stage which will see the widening of ceremonies available and the amount of people in attendance being extended further than few.

Reverend Dr Brendan McCarthy, the Church of England’s adviser on healthcare policy, said: “The death of a loved one is painful under any circumstances and the current situation has made this all the more difficult for those who have been bereaved.

“The House of Bishops has been meeting frequently and advice is reviewed regularly and updated as circumstances allow.

“The Church of England has consistently stated that it will always ensure that, where requested, a priest is present to conduct a funeral service, either at a crematorium or at the churchyard.”

“The advice not to conduct funeral services in church buildings – and it is advice, not instruction – was given because of concerns about parishes having capacity to conduct funerals safely, including being able to deep-clean church buildings between services.”

The Coronavirus outbreak has torn through the UK at a rapid rate, and as such has seen unprecedented circumstances with regulations being put in to place to restrict our movement with the intent to slow and ultimately, stop the spread of coronavirus all together.

One of the regulations the government has introduced is the banning of social gatherings, including funerals. Whilst funerals are still going ahead, most parties will not be able to attend during the ‘lockdown’ enforcement, with very specific guidelines being carried out to comply with social distancing.

So, what CAN bereaved families do during this difficult time? We have put together the most important pieces of information you will need right now to understand what you can and can’t do in regards to funerals during this global pandemic.

• You can still plan funerals, however this should be done online or over the phone, without face to face contact with your chosen funeral director where possible.
• If you or a member of your household are showing any symptoms of Coronavirus, you should be following the strict government guidelines in regards to self isolation and quarantine. Should you be responsible for funeral arrangements of a deceased family member, you should try to delegate those responsibilities where possible to other people in good health, who are not living in your household. However, you will be able to manage some responsibilities over the phone and online.
• You should still be able to view your loved one in a chapel, as long as you are actively following social distancing guidelines. If you are visiting with others, please ensure that these people are only members of your own household. Those who are vulnerable or at risk due to under lying health issues should not make the visit.
• The advised limit of no more than 10 members of immediate family can attend a funeral, although it is strongly advised to make this amount of people as minimal as possible for the health and safety of everybody involved. Social distancing should be of the highest priority, and following the guidelines set out by the government regarding this, is essential for you and your families safety.
• Whilst you can still hold funerals in most places, the church of England has closed all churches and crematoriums are very limiting with the amount of people they will allow to be in attendance. It is really important to plan and communicate with your venue clearly, as well as respecting their social distancing guidelines in the process.
• As we discussed in a previous post, online streaming of funerals was something that had been floating around as an idea and is now fully functional across the UK, in place to safely accommodate mourners. Please talk to funeral director and venue about this when you are organising the arrangements.
• Please utilise social media, phone calls and online platforms to inform family and friends of a funeral to minimise the amount of contact key workers need to come into with other people’s homes when delivering information. You can easily use social media to broadcast an event like a funeral with privacy features that allow you to do so discreetly within the groups of people that you invite or inform.

For more information we recommend using the following resources for more in depth advice during the pandemic…

• NAFD COVID-19 FUNERAL ADVICE
• GOV UK – FUNERAL ADVICE DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
• CHURCH OF ENGLAND FUNERAL ADVICE & RESTRICTIONS