North East Lincolnshire Council is introducing a series of new restrictions at its crematorium and cemeteries to help keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
From Thursday 5 November, the following restrictions will be in place:
- The crematorium office is closed to the public. Please call or email instead email [email protected] or telephone 01472 324869
- The waiting area and book of remembrance room is closed to members of the public (including weekends)
- The crematorium grounds, Scartho Road and Cleethorpes cemeteries are closed to the public. Cemetery grounds and the crematorium are now only open to those attending a service or paying respects at a grave.
Funeral services continue with up to 30 mourners attending (for both burials and cremations). Mourners must stay two metres apart from each other unless they are from the same household. This means a maximum of 30 mourners in total, not 30 inside with more outside the crematorium building.
Scatterings and interments of cremated remains also continue with a maximum of 15 mourners permitted to attend. People must respect social distancing guidelines.
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.
The crematorium grounds, Scartho Road and Cleethorpes cemeteries are open as per the seasonal opening hours.
Under the new national restrictions, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are not permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.
More details about the restrictions at www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:
“With the rise in cases locally and the new national lockdown, we’re introducing some measures to help limit the spread of the virus.
“Our bereavement services staff are working hard to balance the needs of people to mourn while also minimising the spread of COVID-19.
“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.
“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.”
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 02 888 40
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