Council statement on funeral arrangements during coronavirus
Wakefield Council is committed to national efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
We understand that dealing with the loss of a loved one is extremely challenging and we are continuing to support bereaved families across the district at this very difficult time.
For this reason we have carefully considered how we can help to keep people safe, whilst allowing families to mourn a loved one.
We have temporarily changed our way of working so that we can ensure that everyone can stay safe – mourners, funeral staff, and council staff.
Our staff are demonstrating their full commitment to the delivery of funeral services, under the most challenging and difficult conditions that we have ever experience
We have consulted with and discussed our approach to services with funeral directors in our district, who have all been supportive.
Under our guidance a maximum of twenty mourners can attend burial services across the district and 14 mourners at Pontefract Crematorium and 16 mourners at Wakefield Crematorium.
We are now offering a 30 minute graveside service for burials. Families now have the choice of a 20 minute or 35 minute funeral service at both Pontefract and Wakefield Crematorium.
Our staff will thoroughly clean the chapel after each service, including chairs and other surfaces which could potentially harbour the virus– as part of our commitment to keep people safe.
We ask families for their patience, as it's not possible to provide a traditional service at this time.
We have received messages from bereaved families who have told us they have appreciated what we are doing at this time to support them. We appreciate their kind words.
As a Council we are incredibly proud of our staff, their dedication and commitment to doing their utmost to support bereaved families in these extremely challenging circumstances. We are proud to be here, serving our district and our residents.
For more information on Council bereavement services, including costs, please visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/bereavement