Heavy-handed councils have been slammed for banning all mourners from services. The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has hit out at local authorities in locations including Belfast, Leeds and Bradford that have stopped bereaved families from attending funerals. Instead several councils are now offering ‘direct cremations’, in which there is no ceremony and mourners … Read more
A council has been slammed for banning all mourners at funeral services despite government guidelines stating they should be allowed to attend. City of York council has told grieving families they must wait outside the crematorium, while the ‘unattended cremation’ takes place with only a faith officiant allowed inside, before collecting their loved one’s ashes. … Read more
A Labour MP who went to a funeral as an ‘observer’ has been spoken to by police about a suspected breach of the coronavirus lockdown. Birmingham Hall Green MP Tahir Ali, who reportedly attended two funerals on Wednesday, was said to have undermined the work of the police by his area’s crime commissioner. Mr Ali … Read more
Traveller family ignore coronavirus social-distancing rules as 40 mourners attend funeral of community elder, 82 Family of 40 attend funeral of travelling community elder Alfred Loveridge Pictures show family members close together at cemetery in Upwell, Norfolk It appears to breach social distancing guidelines to keep 2ft apart from others Government also advises funeral attendees … Read more
The lonely goodbye: Heartbroken family of terminally-ill teen, 18, who brought a smile to Prince Harry, can only invite 10 mourners to funeral and can’t touch her coffin during coronavirus crisis Holly Smallman was cremated yesterday and only 10 people allowed to attend The teenager suffered from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and chronic lung disease People … Read more
By Tom Pyman for MailOnline The funeral of one of the UK’s first coronavirus victims is to be held this week – but no more than five family members will be there to reduce the risk of further infection. The elderly man, who has not been named, died last weekend and meticulous measures are being carried out … Read more