Coronavirus – Covid 19 restrictions on funerals

Last updated October 2021

Covid 19 restrictions on funerals

As from July 2021, most COVID restrictions have been lifted, however please note that certain venues will have their own policies – for example, hymn books may not be provided or the wearing of facemasks is requested (even if not legally obligatory). Please contact us or the specific venue for more detailed guidance if needed.

So thankfully most venues have returned to their pre-Covid maximum capacity limits and the possibilities for a wake have opened up significantly as venues can now accommodate indoor events.

So from our perspective, funerals have pretty much returned to normality, with larger attendances allowed. However, there is still a general shift towards smaller, more intimate ceremonies as some families prefer a more simple, informal style.

As ever, we will work with you to help you achieve the right funeral for your family, whether an unattended funeral (Direct Cremation),  an attended simple funeral with no formal service (No Fuss Pre-10am Cremation) or you would like a service led for you by a celebrant or minister with additional personal touch points (Personalised Cremation).

We do also offer a unique choice at GreenAcres Chiltern or Clandon Wood for a cremation funeral – when you feel a need for private, unhurried time (read more about this option here).

All our choices are below, first a few essential details:

How many people can attend a funeral due to Covid 19 restrictions?

The legal limit to attend a funeral is no longer restricted to 30 people, most venues have returned to their standard capacities (see Crematoria).

Burial funerals without a church service are mainly graveside only due to many cemetery chapels remaining closed.

A funeral wake can be attended with maximum capacity determined by the venue. We have provided a list of potential venues for a funeral reception here.