North East Lincolnshire Council is issuing a reminder about changes to restrictions at the Crematorium.
Events that take place after funeral, such as scattering or interment of ashes, are now restricted by the new laws on social gatherings. This means a maximum of six people may attend these events.
A maximum of 30 mourners may attend a funeral service. This means a maximum of 30 mourners in total, not 30 inside with more outside the crematorium building.
There have been a small number of instances where 30 people have been inside the chapel with more gathering outside.
Mourners must stay two metres apart from each other unless they are from the same household.
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:
“The government’s guidance is there to make sure bereaved people are treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect and at the same time mourners and workers involved in the management of funerals are protected from the avoidable risk of infection.
“Our bereavement services staff are working hard to balance the needs of people to mourn while also minimising the spread of COVID-19.
“I’m grateful to everyone attending funerals and respecting the rules in these difficult times.
“It helps reduce the risk of infection to other mourners and our staff.”
Crematorium opening times
The main office is open to the public from Monday to Friday, but only one family or person is allowed in at any one time.
The crematorium building is open for visitors to view the books of remembrance, Monday to Sunday, but with only one person or family allowed in the book room at a time.
The crematorium grounds, Scartho Road and Cleethorpes cemeteries are now open as per the seasonal opening hours.
For more details contact the crematorium offices by emailing [email protected] or calling 01472 324869.
Social distancing for mourners
Social distancing measures reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and include staying at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from others and following the guidance on hand hygiene and preventing the spread of infection:
- washing one’s hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and water or hand sanitiser, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing one’s nose, or after being in public areas
- when coughing or sneezing, cover the mouth and nose with a tissue and throw the tissue away immediately, or in the absence of a tissue, use the crook of one’s elbow (not hands) to cough or sneeze into. Then wash both hands or use hand sanitiser
- face coverings must be worn by law in indoor places of worship, crematoria and burial ground chapels unless exempt for health, disability or other reasons.
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 028 8840
Government limits on the number of people attending funerals
The new legal gatherings limit of 6 does not apply to funerals. For funerals, there is a higher, legal gatherings limit of 30 people. You should still socially distance from people you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with). Funeral providers will limit capacity based on how many people they can safely accommodate with social distancing in place. This higher limit only applies to the funeral ceremony itself – other than for religious, ceremonial purposes, wakes should not take place in groups of more than 6.
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