Yahoo News Coronavirus: Councils ban funeral mourners and cut services to 20 minutes
Councils in England are taking drastic steps with funeral services during the coronavirus outbreak - with one even banning mourners from attending.
The city of York has banned mourners from attending cremations in the city, while Wakefield council in Leeds has cut all funeral services to 20 minutes.
It comes as the UK recorded its deadliest day yet from the coronavirus pandemic after 953 people died from the virus in 24 hours, taking the total to 9.016.
York City Council has told grieving relatives that, from Thursday, there will be no funeral services in the city, just “direct cremations only”.
The authority said it was a difficult decision but added there could be up to 14 services a day, meaning that 150 people could visit the crematorium in one day.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said the City of York Council’s move to stop all funeral services “was a step too far” and a possible breach of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
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The Labour MP said she has raised concerns with the council and Local government Secretary Robert Jenrick.
She said: “At this time some people are unable to be with close family members as they die, and then not being able to be with them at their funeral is a step too far.
“Constituents have shared their heartache over this decision by the council, a council who could institute safe funeral distancing measures as other councils are, like North Yorkshire, which are enabling funerals to go ahead with 10 family members while observing safe social distancing, as set out in the Government guidance.”
Meanwhile, Wakefield Council has issued new guidance on the length of funeral services at its crematoria in response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Any new bookings for funeral services at both Pontefract and Wakefield Crematoria will be 20 minutes in length.
Any existing bookings up to 27 April booked for a 40 minute slot will be unaffected by the change.
A Local Government Association spokesman said: “Councils are continuing to hold funerals in accordance with the latest government guidance and are making specific arrangements on a local basis to ensure that social distancing can be maintained.
“Councils aim to ensure that immediate family are able to say goodbye to their loved ones but that staff and mourners are safe, especially at a time when there may be increasing pressures on funeral services.
“We are seeking further guidance on funeral services from central government.”
Wakefield Council’s acting chief executive Andrew Balchin said: “This has been a very difficult decision to make in very challenging circumstances.
“We understand that these changes will be difficult for families grieving the loss of a loved-one.
“These changes have been temporarily introduced to help keep everyone who is involved, both families and staff, as safe as possible during these unprecedented times. It will also enable more services to take place.
“We appreciate people’s understanding during these difficult times.”
