What are the practical implications for funerals in Scotland from December 2020 to early 2021?
Arranging a funeral
- Please phone us in the first instance – we are available 24/7 every day of the year.
- Arrangements are now done over the phone or by video enabling all family members to participate no matter where they live.
- Arrangements can begin even if families are currently self-isolating.
- Registration is also done remotely with key documents emailed to us, and posted to you.
- Our offices can accommodate pre-arranged viewings, clothing drop-off but we respectfully ask that you phone in advance to make an appointment.
- Face coverings are necessary and we will manage social distancing to ensure you are safely within the 2m limits.
Who and how many can attend a funeral?
- Attendance at a funeral in a Tier 1-4 area is capped at a maximum of 50 people.
- Factoring in each venue’s social distancing measures, maximum attendees may be lower.
- The 50 limit includes children under 12 but excludes officiants, venue staff and our funeral teams.
- For Tier 0 areas, funeral attendance is set at 50 people (children under 12 included).
- Tier 4 travel restrictions are being applied to various regions in mainland UK from mid December to early 2021, order to limit potential spread of the virus.
- Wherever possible, and if available, funerals should be shared electronically such as live streaming online or by watching a recording of the service and we can advise on options.
- Transport in our limousines is possible as protective screens have been fitted but the passengers should be from one household per car.
- Face coverings for everyone, including our teams, venue staff and officiants must be worn throughout (although the celebrant can remove theirs for the service).
- At each venue social distancing between household groups should be observed.
- Currently, singing of songs and hymns both in venues or outdoors is not allowed.
- Those not included in the official attendees are respectfully discouraged from attending a burial or gathering outside the crematoria.
- Contact details for Track, Trace and Protect per household are required in advance.
- Anyone displaying symptoms of Covid-19: a persistent new cough, a high temperature, loss of taste or smell, nausea, or has tested positive for the virus, should not attend.
Here for you now and later
Don’t delay arranging a funeral as these restrictions are likely to be in place for some time. If you or your loved ones are self-isolating, we can start arrangements for when you are able to attend the funeral. Throughout this time, we have offered viewing of your loved one for as long as you need before the funeral to ensure you, family and friends, are able to say goodbye safely.
Meaningful, personal farewells
We continue to offer Orders of Service, attendance cards, online obituaries as well as support in preparing digital tributes and presentations. Our team work closely with families to arrange personalised routes that pass by neighbours, former places of significance to include wider communities or to arrange for a service to be recorded for sharing with those who cannot attend. We can also support families arranging tributes for a later date, as well as advise on memorials in cemeteries, burial grounds, places of significance or as keepsakes.
We’ve been guiding families through the maze of funeral arranging for generations. Lean on our experience now when you need it the most.
