We know stating the number of individuals who should be allowed to attend a burial is confusing for many. We can only strongly recommend a maximum number of 10 people to attend, which includes immediate family members, the Imam and volunteers. This is in conformity with other cities and for the safety of everyone including your own family members. MBCOL Team
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Dear all,
Further to my previous correspondence on limiting numbers at funerals, we are seeing reduced mourner numbers at funerals, however it is clear some members of the public are still not following these guidelines. I have been asked a number of times about what number can attend. Putting an arbitrary number on the maximum number of mourners who can attend is misleading and may lead to mourners committing an offence. Government advice and legislation does not set a maximum number but instead limits who can attend, and I would be grateful if when making funeral arrangements with families you can advise them accordingly of the restrictions.
Under the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions)(England) Regulations 2020 it is now offence for any person to leave a place where they are living without reasonable excuse. Article 6(g) states that a reasonable excuse includes to attend the funeral of:
- A member of the person’s household;
- A close family member, or
- If no-one within sub-paragraphs (i) or (ii) are attending, a friend (friends may not attend as well as family)
Any person who does not meet this criteria is committing an offence and the police are now enforcing the regulations as part of the coronavirus public health emergency. This includes issuing fines for offences committed under these regulations.
Yours faithfully,
Alan Brown MICCM (Dip)
Bereavement Services Manager
Leicester City Council
Gilroes Cemetery & Crematorium
Groby Road
Leicester
LE3 9QG
————————————————————————————–