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Written question asked by Julian Sturdy (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 September 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 September 2020. It was answered by Nadine Dorries (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 September 2020 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Coronavirus: Funerals

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing the maximum permitted number of attendees at funeral services where the venue allows for more than 30 people to be safely accommodated whilst adhering to social distancing rules.

Answer

There remains an increased risk of transmission of COVID-19 where families and communities come together following the death of a loved one, from any cause. While recognising the importance of these rituals and gatherings, it is strongly advised, in order to stay safe, that numbers of mourners in physical attendance are kept to a modest number.

The premises will limit capacity based on how many people it can safely accommodate with social distancing in place. The guidance advises that the number of attendees should be restricted to a maximum of 30 persons for public health reasons. This is on the basis there is a high risk of social mixing and contact due to the nature of the events. In some cases the premises may restrict attendance to less than 30 people.

Guidance for managing a funeral during the COVID-19 pandemic is provided at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
86646
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Funerals Coronavirus Social distancing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk