How Many People Can Attend a Funeral Now?

On 21st June 2021, the restrictions on numbers attending funeral services, wakes and commemorative events changed again. Although many of us were disappointed all restrictions weren't removed, there was still some good news to come out of last week's announcement relating to the funeral industry.

From 21st June, there will no longer be any laws covering the number of people attending a funeral. The number of people attending will continue to be governed by the number of people a venue, or outdoor event, can safely accommodate complying with social distancing rules still in effect. Every venue or location should have a covid19 risk assessment in place. For wakes and celebratory/commemorative events this means an end to the rule of 30 people in attendance, as long as it is safe to do so. Outdoor events will be covered by the same rules. An event in a private garden, private or public land should also comply with these conditions, and there will still need to be a risk assessment in place and social distancing must be adhered to.

These changes, whilst not as far reaching as hoped, do offer greater opportunities for families to hold a larger funeral for their loved one (if you have a local venue able to safely provide this service). Being able to hold a ceremony after the funeral is a relief to many families, allowing them to celebrate the life of their loved ones in the company of more of their wider family and friends.

Scotland has reverted back to a tier system to help manage covid infections based on geographical areas. Currently the highest level of restrictions in use is level 2 and this includes areas such as Glasgow city area, Midlothian and Renfrewshire. The rules on funerals and gatherings in level 2 areas allow for 50 people to attend both the service and the post-funeral gathering, as long as the venue adheres to rules on social distancing. Alcohol may now be served at wakes/ceremonies.

There are a number of areas in Scotland classified as level 1. 100 people may attend a funeral or a post-funeral event in level 1 areas, again adhering to social distancing rules.

Most of the Scottish Isles have been classed as level 0. This allows 200 people to attend a service or an event but again, venues must comply with rules on social distancing.

Wales has recently moved to level 1 restrictions. Funerals and post-funeral events in Wales are also restricted only by the number of people a venue or location can safely accommodate.

Like the rest of the UK, attendance at funerals in Northern Ireland is governed by a covid19 risk assessment as to how many people the venue can host, complying with social distancing. The family of the deceased may receive the body of their loved one into their home as long as the deceased did not die of a covid19 related illness.

Scotland's First Minister has just announced that restrictions in Scotland will remain as they are. It was hoped the whole of Scotland would be placed under level 0 restrictions however it has been confirmed that this decision will be delayed until 19th July. Nicola Sturgeon hopes to remove all legal restrictions completely by 9th August.

In Wales, the First Minister is due to set out the next update on coronavirus restrictions on 25th June. Whilst there has been no official date set for an end to all restrictions, it is hoped the next update will include a timeline for this.

Northern Ireland plan to announce their latest changes to restrictions by 22nd July. It is hoped that all restrictions will be removed on this date.

In England, the next announcement on covid restrictions is due on 19th July. Again it is hoped all legal restrictions will be removed.

The latest information on Covid19 restrictions in place in England may be found on
GOV.UK. This includes links to the relevant sites in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The NAFD have a site dedicated to providing Covid19 guidance for Funeral Directors
here.

If you are a member of SAIF, you can view their latest advice
here.

If you have any questions on funeral notices, to start your free trial of online funeral notices or for more information, contact us now using the button below. We would love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading.