Mid Sussex funeral directors offer advice on restrictions during coronavirus lockdown

J & R Matthews in Cuckfield, WM Collins & Son in Burgess Hill, and Frank Davey & Co in Hurstpierpoint, who are all part of the funeral company Dignity, says funerals have had to change as a result of social distancing measures.

A spokesman said: “Despite some things changing during the coronavirus outbreak to help protect people, all of our professional funeral staff are working hard to help customers and provide them with a high quality service that ensures they can arrange the funeral they want for their loved ones.”

During the lockdown, funerals are one of the few types of social gathering that the government has said can continue, but with some restrictions:

You may not be able to have everybody you want there at the moment, you can still organise the funeral you want for your loved one. Your loved one can be buried or cremated. We are able to arrange flowers, although some florists have limited ranges at the moment. You can have readings, music and a hearse.

All of the nearby crematoria including Surrey & Sussex in Crawley and The Downs and Woodvale in Brighton are still holding funeral services. Although many churches and other religious venues are closed, Priests, Ministers and Imams continue to conduct funerals.

Most importantly, you will have the time you need to pay your respects. And, in a few months time, you may choose to have a further memorial service to remember your loved one at which everyone who wants to attend will be able to.

The funeral directors are still seeing people face to face, but are strongly urging people to ring the branch first to make an appointment. If you have questions you want to ask out of hours you can visit the Dignity website where they have a number of FAQs or call the 24 hour client service centre: 0800 456 1047.

If you have been affected by Covid-19 or are self-isolating there are procedures that will allow them to arrange a funeral with you, but please call first before coming into a branch.

Most crematoria, including Surrey & Sussex in Crawley and The Downs have set a limit of ten people, there is a limit of 12 at Woodvale in Brighton.

The Church of England is no longer holding funerals in its churches, however, religious services are being held either at the crematorium or at graveside.

Different venues will have their own restrictions, but your funeral director can find out what they are for you.

There is the option to live stream a funeral, in order that other mourners can see the service from wherever they are.

Availability of this will depend on where the funeral is held, but Surrey & Sussex Crematorium in Crawley has a live streaming capability.

In order to keep in line with the government’s social distancing guidelines and to protect both employees and clients, the funeral directors are not offering a limousine service to take people to the funeral.

A spokesman added: “We are well aware of how important this can be to people and we did not take the decision lightly.

“This means you will have to make your own arrangements for travelling to the funeral.”