Covid19 - Early relaxation on Funeral Attendances

Over the Bank Holiday weekend it was announced that there will be an earlier relaxation of one the steps set out in the Roadmap in relation to funerals.

“At Step 3 the number of persons able to attend a funeral inside was to no more than 30-the same as under Step 2 but the document Limit on mourners at funerals to be removed”.

Instead, the number of people who can attend a funeral will be determined by how many people the venue, such as the relevant place of worship or funeral home, can safely accommodate with social distancing. This includes both indoor and outdoor venues. Capacities of venues will vary, but many will allow significantly more than 30 people to attend.

The document states other life events or commemorative events are expected to remain the same as set out in the road map -30 persons.

This is a positive step forward for those grieving but creates a disconnect on the number of attendees at the funeral and subsequent wake and prolongs the trauma for having to decide who can and cannot be there to say goodbye.