COVID-19: Changes to arrangements at the crematorium

North East Lincolnshire Council is introducing some changes at Grimsby Crematorium as more lockdown restrictions are lifted.

From Monday 17 May, the number of mourners attending a service indoors will remain at 30 but more will be allowed to stand outside.

The outdoor speaker system is being brought back into use for mourners gathering outside.

All mourners attending the crematorium, indoors or outside, must abide by social distancing rules.

Live webcasts of funeral services are available to mourners who cannot attend the service in person. Recordings are available for up to 28 days afterwards. Funeral directors can also arrange for recordings to be copied to a memory stick.

The following now applies at the crematorium:

• The crematorium office is now open as normal
• Scatterings and interments of cremated remains continues, but the maximum number of mourners permitted to attend has been reduced to 15. People must respect social distancing guidelines
• The book room is open for people to view the Books of Remembrance as normal.
• The crematorium grounds, Scartho Road and Cleethorpes cemeteries are open to the public as normal
• Funerals are running and up to 30 mourners can now attend, but people must stay two metres apart from each other unless they are from the same household. All visitors must abide by social distancing rules to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Any mourner who has COVID-19 symptoms (a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell) should not attend the funeral as they pose a risk to others.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“Our bereavement services staff work hard to balance the needs of mourners while also limiting the spread of COVID-19.

“We must make sure bereaved people are treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect at such a difficult time.

“At the same time, it’s vital that mourners and workers involved in the management of funerals are protected from the avoidable risk of infection.

“I’m grateful to everyone attending funerals and respecting the rules and our staff.”

Experiencing grief or bereavement

Whenever the loss of a friend or loved one happens, it can be an extremely difficult and challenging time. This may be even more difficult for those experiencing bereavement and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about grief and support available:

North East Lincolnshire Bereavement Support Service: call 01472 250623 to be put in touch with the right support based on your needs

NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/coping-with-bereavement/

Cruse Bereavement Care: www.cruse.org.uk or call 0808 808 1677

Care for the Family: www.careforthefamily.org.uk/family-life/bereavement-support/ or call 029 2081 0800

NHS Child bereavement: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/children-and-bereavement/

Child Bereavement: www.childbereavementuk.org or call 0800 02 888 40