Birmingham funerals to be limited to six people due to coronavirus
Funerals are to be limited to a maximum of six people in Birmingham as part of a range of measures announced by the city council.
In an attempt to ensure social distancing is practised, only six members of a deceased person’s ‘immediate family’ will now be allowed to attend the funerals of loved ones.
In addition to this, no person who is confirmed as having Covid-19 will be allowed to attend, with a webcasting service being worked on by the council for those who can not attend in person.
Should the family wish for this to be used it will be an available option for any wider family members, friends or loved ones who wish to be a part of the funeral.
Services will be a maximum of 30 minutes, and access to all cemeteries and crematoria in Birmingham will also be closed to the public. The council says this is due to an increased number of people that have been congregating at cemeteries in groups and the need to observe social distancing.
Birmingham City Council has also confirmed that they will ensure that the choice of funeral requested will be adhered to in line with religious beliefs.
It has also been announced that there will be no further bookings for burial or witness scatterings of cremated remains, with immediate effect. These can be carried out after the current national restrictions on social distancing are lifted, they add.
The current charges for the retention of cremated remain at the crematoria will not be applied for remains that are stored pending collection or disposal during this period and, if space becomes an issue (which the council say is likely) then Birmingham City Council will provide alternative storage options.
Existing bookings are being considered and the service is contacting the families or funeral directors to discuss about postponement.
Other national measures being taken include the registration of deaths over the telephone, the electronic transfer of documents.
