New funeral guidance for mourners

​Wakefield Council has issued new guidance on the number of mourners who can attend funeral services.

​From Monday 15 June, up to 16 mourners can attend funerals at Wakefield Crematorium. At Pontefract Crematorium, up to 14 mourners will be able to attend services.

The Council is making the changes after a review of the space available in the chapels, with the safety of everyone, including mourners, funeral directors and staff having been carefully considered, within the current government guidance.

The advice on mourners is based on the seating provision that can safely fit in to the chapels, whilst also still ensuring that mourners can maintain the two metre social distancing guidance.

To keep everyone safe and reduce the risk of the virus spreading, the Council is also asking that there are no additional mourners in attendance outside the crematorium buildings, reminding people that funerals at the chapels are not being broadcast outside at this time.

From Monday 15 June any new burials in the Wakefield district can be attended by a maximum of 20 people, instead of the previous limit of ten. Mourners are being reminded they will still need to maintain the two metre distance outdoors.

Cllr Maureen Cummings, Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Poverty at Wakefield Council, said: “We understand that the loss of a loved one during the coronavirus outbreak is an especially difficult and challenging time for families and I would like to offer my sincere sympathies to anyone who is affected.

“We have looked carefully at the space available in our crematoria chapels and we hope it will be of comfort to families that following the review, it is now possible for more mourners to attend funeral services. As ever, the safety of everyone is essential and has been at the forefront of our minds in making these decisions.”

For more information on Council bereavement services, including costs, please visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/bereavement