Coronavirus update, as of 29 April
Clearly this is a fast-changing situation, and it's hard for those grieving to have to think in this way, but Public Health England's guidelines are that (in general) only family members should be attending funerals, in single figures ideally. Locally, however, Plymouth's Weston Mill and Efford are allowing 10 mourners only, occupying alternate pews. This is the council's most recent specific guidance:
Clearly this is a fast-changing situation, and it's hard for those grieving to have to think in this way, but Public Health England's guidelines are that (in general) only family members should be attending funerals, in single figures ideally. Locally, however, Plymouth's Weston Mill and Efford are allowing 10 mourners only, occupying alternate pews. This is the council's most recent specific guidance:
Of course, I can 'meet' with family and loved ones by phone, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc., to gather the information I need to write a ceremony.
Alternatives exist and are being considered and used nationally: a simple committal without ceremony with memorial service to follow at a later date; a service in an empty crematorium either live-streamed or recorded; a script I write and give you to read out yourself when it's safe to hold the memorial event. Funeral Directors are also adapting their practices and changing what they offer, so clearly any decisions you reach will be the result of a discussion with them too.
Bereavement's a difficult enough time without the extra anxiety and uncertainty all this involves. My aim is to keep trying to do everything possible to help you remember and say goodbye to your loved one, and - as events unfold and circumstances change - I will update this page (and so far have done three times in the last week).
Alternatives exist and are being considered and used nationally: a simple committal without ceremony with memorial service to follow at a later date; a service in an empty crematorium either live-streamed or recorded; a script I write and give you to read out yourself when it's safe to hold the memorial event. Funeral Directors are also adapting their practices and changing what they offer, so clearly any decisions you reach will be the result of a discussion with them too.
Bereavement's a difficult enough time without the extra anxiety and uncertainty all this involves. My aim is to keep trying to do everything possible to help you remember and say goodbye to your loved one, and - as events unfold and circumstances change - I will update this page (and so far have done three times in the last week).