One of the toughest aspects of life in lockdown amid the global pandemic has, without doubt, been not being able to say goodbye to loved ones, with the numbers of mourners at funerals restricted for the last few months to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Cheltenham Borough Council had to introduce changes to crematorium services back in March, with just five people allowed to attend outside services for no longer than 15 minutes.

But, according to Gloucestershire Live, June will see more people allowed to come and pay their respects at crematoriums in Cheltenham for longer periods of time, with the local authority permitting up to 20 mourners for 25-minute services.

The new measures, introduced on June 8th, include no hymn books or printed orders of service, with words to hymns displayed on screens if required. All seating will be removed, apart from 20 chairs for those in attendance (spaced out in accordance with social distancing guidelines).

Director of environment Mike Redman explained that it is still appropriate at this time to limit numbers in public spaces, while ensuring the requisite social distancing measures.

“Our risk assessments are under regular review and we take a number of factors into account, including the availability of staff, the ability to safely maintain and enforce the two-metre social distancing requirements, compassion for the bereaved and the impact increased attendance is likely to have on the continued health, safety and welfare of all those attending, managing and officiating at funerals,” he went on to say.

Funerals will also be permitted in churches once again from June 15th, with draft guidance on how churches can receive people safely published last week.

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A group of Conservative MPs have written a letter to the Church of England, suggesting that clergy members be allowed inside their churches to hold small-scale funerals while observing social distancing and safety measures.

Currently, funerals are only allowed to take place either at the crematorium or the graveside after they were closed in March, the BBC reports.

The MPs say they are now worried that the wishes of the bereaved and the people who have passed are not being fulfilled “with a proper committal in the church of their wish”. The letter goes on to say that government guidance relating to funerals is clear and services can be held if the appropriate measures are put in place.

The House of Bishops has now agreed to a three-stage plan that will see church buildings gradually reopened in line with the government’s approach. This would mean services could be streamed from church, followed by increased access for some rites and ceremonies, before finally being opened up for services with limited congregations.

In response to the letter, Church of England adviser on healthcare policy the Reverend Dr Brendan McCarthy said: “The advice not to conduct funeral services in church buildings – and it is advice, not instruction – was given because of concerns about parishes having capacity to conduct funerals safely, including being able to deep-clean church buildings between services.”

Not being able to say goodbye to loved ones properly in the absence of the normal funeral rituals that would take place is likely to have a big impact on those left behind.

According to the Guardian, bereavement charity Cruse has said it has been contacted by people in distress because they are unable to attend funerals – and this is expected to increase in the future.

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