{"id":509,"date":"2021-02-08T13:43:43","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T13:43:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/funeral-industry\/?p=509"},"modified":"2021-02-08T13:43:43","modified_gmt":"2021-02-08T13:43:43","slug":"funeral-attendance-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/funeral-industry\/2021\/02\/08\/funeral-attendance-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Funeral Attendance During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout the pandemic, there continues to be a risk of transmission of COVID-19 wherever families and communities come together following the death of a loved one.<\/p>\n

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We understand that funerals are extremely important events and that is why funeral services are not caught by the general restrictions on gatherings.<\/p>\n

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However, funerals are highly emotional and incredibly difficult events in our lifetimes. They are unique and intimate. Every funeral celebrates and commemorates a life lived and a loved one no longer with us. Because of this, it is more likely that vital public health measures to help mitigate or break the chain of transmission of COVID-19, such as physical distancing, will be forgotten. This is completely understandable at a time of grief, when people need the support of their close family and friends.<\/p>\n

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It is for this reason the Scottish Government has taken a cautious approach by restricting the total number of people interacting with each other at funerals to a maximum of 20 people to reduce the risk of transmission as we continue to seek to suppress the virus.<\/p>\n

Large Funerals<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We thank funeral directors for communicating the current rules and restrictions detailed in the Scottish Government\u2019s Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for funeral services<\/a> with families arranging funerals.<\/p>\n

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We are aware, however, of an increasing number of reports that funeral services are taking place with numbers in excess of the maximum of 20 people.<\/p>\n

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We respectfully ask funeral directors to continue to remind families of the guidance and to support families to understand the importance of the restrictions, which are in place to help protect the health of all of us. You may find it useful to share a copy of the funeral services guidance with the family, so that they can consider it in their own time.<\/p>\n

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In addition, funeral directors are requested not to advertise the date and time of the funeral. Funeral directors may also respectfully ask families not to publish details of the funeral service on social media or otherwise, to help reduce the risk of large numbers attending.<\/p>\n

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We understand that these conversations may be difficult; families are bereaved and they may have many family members and friends who wish to attend to pay their respects. The current restrictions are detailed below to assist in these discussions.<\/p>\n

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The Current Restrictions\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Those organising a funeral or advising others on attendance at a funeral service, should review and take into account all of the following:<\/p>\n