funerals
Funerals can be a very difficult time and most of us will only be faced with organising one or two in our lives.
We would encourage you to start by approaching a local funeral director who will take care of the arrangements for you including liaising with St Mary's Church and our ministers.
One of our ministers will then be in touch with you to help you plan the service and offer any support you may need.
If you would value some more immediate pastoral support during this time please contact the church office.
Funerals During Lockdown
Funerals are allowed with strict limits on attendance, and must only take place in COVID-19 secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances. Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. This number does not include anyone working at the event.
Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
Face Coverings are required to be worn by law when attending indoor places of worship, crematoria and burial ground chapels unless you are exempt for health, disability or other reasons.
Singing and raising voices for responses should be avoided.
Contact details for those attending are required in advance for Track and Trace. Your minister will coordinate this.
Linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 6 people in attendance. Anyone working is not counted in these limits. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
Full details of these guidelines can be found on the gov.uk website:
COVID-19: guidance for arranging or attending a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
We would encourage you to start by approaching a local funeral director who will take care of the arrangements for you including liaising with St Mary's Church and our ministers.
One of our ministers will then be in touch with you to help you plan the service and offer any support you may need.
If you would value some more immediate pastoral support during this time please contact the church office.
Funerals During Lockdown
Funerals are allowed with strict limits on attendance, and must only take place in COVID-19 secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances. Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. This number does not include anyone working at the event.
Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
Face Coverings are required to be worn by law when attending indoor places of worship, crematoria and burial ground chapels unless you are exempt for health, disability or other reasons.
Singing and raising voices for responses should be avoided.
Contact details for those attending are required in advance for Track and Trace. Your minister will coordinate this.
Linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 6 people in attendance. Anyone working is not counted in these limits. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
Full details of these guidelines can be found on the gov.uk website:
COVID-19: guidance for arranging or attending a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)