COVID-19 Impact on services

Control Measures at Markeaton Crematorium

In the light of the rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID – 19) pandemic and based on the national guidance, operational experience and best practice, we have had to take the unprecedented step of putting in place the following control measures:

1. Contribute to efforts to suppress the spread of the virus, particularly across vulnerable groups.
2. To protect our staff from contracting the virus.

The later point is critical to enable the service to continue operating unaffected during these difficult times.

These detailed steps have been communicated to Funeral Directors, Ministers and Celebrants who will be best placed to offer advice and support to families at the time that funeral arrangements are being made.

Those steps that have a direct bearing on how funerals will take place for the foreseeable future are:

• Remove service and hymn books from both chapels
• Stop allowing the option to leave the curtains open at the committal
• Close the waiting rooms leaving access to the Main Chapel toilets only
• Restrict funerals in the Round Chapel to no ceremony services only
• Ask Ministers and Celebrants to try to influence (limit) the content of funerals
• Reduce service times to 30 minutes
• Chapel Attendants to wear disposable gloves and face masks while dealing with mourners
• Restrict mourners to close family only (maximum 15 per service)
• Close the Book of Rememberence room and direct visitors to the web page.

Please note, we are exploring the potential to web-cast all services at no extra charge.

If the pandemic develops further we may need to consider the following steps:

• Restrict all services to Committal Services only
• Restrict all funerals to unattended Committal Services only.

Please note, the chapels will be made available at a later date for Memorial Services at no extra charge.

We are liaising with our funerals directors to work through an unprecedented series of events with lots of competing priorities and tensions and trying as far as possible to enable funerals to continue to take place.

Social distancing and impact on funeral services

In this exceptional time, the Government’s guidance on social distancing and self-isolation will have a major impact on all aspects of everyday life, including the way funerals will be conducted for the immediate future. 

Planning the funeral

Although this will be very difficult for everyone, numbers of those attending the funeral will have to be kept to a minimum – we advise immediate family only. This should also be communicated to anyone in the wider circle of friends, family or colleagues in advance. Sadly, those over the age of 70 and those with an underlying health condition are strongly discouraged from attending in the present circumstances.

During the funeral

Everyone attending the service must adhere to Government guidance on social distancing. Please follow the directions of the officiant and funeral director if you are attending a service. While naturally those present may wish to shake hands or hug, all present should refrain from doing so in light of guidance on physical distancing.