Here’s how many people can attend a funeral in England - and safety measures in place

The number of people who can attend funerals in England was limited during lockdown to reduce the spread of coronavirus (Photo: Shutterstock)The number of people who can attend funerals in England was limited during lockdown to reduce the spread of coronavirus (Photo: Shutterstock)
The number of people who can attend funerals in England was limited during lockdown to reduce the spread of coronavirus (Photo: Shutterstock)

The number of people who can attend funerals in England was limited during lockdown to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

But are restrictions still in place for services and how many people can now attend?

Here’s what you need to know.

How many people can attend a funeral?

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The number of people allowed to attend a funeral in England is currently capped at 30, but the number can be smaller depending on the capacity of the venue.

Gov.uk explains, “Funerals should have no more than 30 people in attendance. Attendance should also be within the capacity limits of the premises so that social distancing can be strictly adhered to.”

In some cases, there may be fewer than 30 people allowed if the venue cannot accommodate this amount of people with social distancing measures in place.

The “size and circumstance of the venue will determine the maximum number that can be accommodated while also facilitating social distancing, but numbers should be minimised,” explains Gov.uk.

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Venues will need to consider how best they can manage this, including the use of remote live-streaming, where possible.

Who can attend funerals?

It is advised that only “a modest number of family and friends of the deceased should travel to and attend the funeral.”

Overnight stays away from the home are also permitted, but it is advised this should only be with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household, in which case social distancing should be maintained.

Who is not allowed to attend?

Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend a funeral in person.

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However, some venues may offer live streaming off the service, so you could consider participating in this if available.

Mourners who are from a household or support bubble that is self-isolating should:

  • not attend if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if these are very mild
  • maintain a distance of at least 2 metres (3 steps) between themselves and others.
  • advise the other mourners that they are otherwise still within the 14-day isolation period, and ensure that they do not attend at the same time as another mourner who may be clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable

Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable “should be facilitated to attend, should they wish to do so, but have been advised that they should minimise their contact with people outside their household or support bubble for their personal protection,” adds Gov.uk.

What safety measures are in place?

Attendees must ensure they are at least 2 metres away from others and follow hand washing procedures.

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Face coverings must be worn by law in indoor places of worship, crematoria and burial ground chapels unless a person is exempt for health, disability or other reasons.

“Face coverings should also be worn in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult and where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet,” explains Gov.uk.

A version of this article originally appeared on our sister title, Yorkshire Evening Post.

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