Cemeteries

Coronavirus information for funerals, burials and interments of cremated remains

• Arranging a funeral, burial or cremation is a difficult thing to do at any time, and under the current circumstances even more so. We are working to minimise the impact of the coronavirus on bereavement services.

  During the period of the new national restrictions our cemeteries remain open for funerals and visiting a grave of a loved one.

We have introduced the following temporary changes: 

• take a rapid lateral flow device (LFD) test to manage your risk, even if you don’t have symptoms
• wearing a face covering in enclosed and crowded areas.
• Due to the risk you may pose to others, you should not attend if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate immediately, follow the stay at home guidance, and get a PCR test, even if your symptoms are mild. You are legally required to self-isolate if you test positive or are notified to do so by NHS Test and Trace.

Unless an exemption applies, you must not attend a funeral if any of the following apply:

• you are self-isolating due to a positive test result
• you have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
• you are in quarantine after recently arriving into England from non-red list country and you are not fully vaccinated
• you are in a managed quarantine facility after arriving into England from a red list country

• The Council building is closed to the public for all enquiries please telephone our Bereavement service team on 01530 454595
• There are no legal limits on the number of people who can attend funerals or commemorative events. Those attending, arranging or managing such events should consider that it may be harder to manage the risk of spreading COVID-19 if spaces are crowded, and venue operators may set their own limits.
• New guidance on meeting friends and family will emphasise personal responsibility rather than government rules. Instead of instructing you to stay 2m apart from anyone you don’t live with, you will be encouraged to exercise caution and consider the guidance on risks associated with COVID-19 and actions you can take to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Remember that the risks of close contact may be greater for some people than others and in some settings and circumstances, there will be specific guidance that you will need to follow even when you are with friends and family.
• You should follow the guidance on how to stop the spread of coronavirus at all times, including if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Remember that vaccines reduce (but do not eliminate) the chances of catching COVID-19 and passing it on, and of serious illness. Consider whether you and your loved ones are fully vaccinated and whether there has been time for the vaccine to take effect before being in close contact
• Testing regularly will help to reduce risk, particularly before meeting people from outside your household. You can order free home tests for you and your loved ones that give results in 30 minutes.
• Mourners in attendance, should follow the general advice on hand hygiene and preventing the spread of infection. Hand washing facilities are available in our cemetery toilets.

In many situations the household members of the deceased person will be the next of kin for example, spouse, parent, sibling or grandparent they may be having to self-isolate in line with household guidance with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection. If you are a close family member of the deceased it is strongly recommended that you attend remotely if possible, if after careful consideration of the risk you choose to attend in person, it is essential that you take the following precautions.

1. Advise the funeral venue manager and other mourners in advance that you are in your self-isolation period. It is a legal requirement for a venue manager to complete a risk assessment and take all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of COVID-19

2. Take extra care to keep your distance and avoid contact with another mourner who may be clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable

3. Practice strict hand and respiratory hygiene by:

   • washing your hands more often than usual with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using a hand sanitiser
   • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
   • Covering your coughs or sneezes

• If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus.
• If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you are no longer advised to shield. However, you should continue to follow the guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and are advised to continue taking extra precautions to protect yourself. It is important that you continue to keep the number of social interactions that you have low and try to limit the amount of time you spend in settings where it is difficult to maintain social distancing
• You will now be able to pre-purchase a grave plot by making an appointment with the office to meet a member of staff onsite, guidelines will be issues.
• Ash scatterings can also continue with no legal limits on the number of people who can attend .

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation we will update you of any further changes. This guidance will be in place for the foreseeable future for the safety of the public.

We are happy to give guidance on these matters please do not hesitate to contact us on Tel 01530 454595.

Please see the links below for further guidance to support the bereaved during the coronavirus pandemic.

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

We manage four cemeteries in North West Leicestershire

Coalville - Broom Leys (Meadow Lane) LE67 4DL

Coalville - London Road - LE67 3JD

Whitwick - Church lane - LE67 5DL

Hugglescote - Station Road - LE67 2GB

Cemeteries we don't manage

There are also cemeteries owned by town and parish councils in the district.  Queries relating to other cemeteries and burial grounds in North West Leicestershire should be referred to the appropriate Parish Council or church.

Ashby

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, Legion House, South Street, Ashby, Leicestershire, LE65 1BQ

Telephone: 01530 416961

Email info@ashbytowncouncil.org.uk

Ibstock

Nicola Land, Ibstock Miners Welfare Site, Ibstock, Leicester LE67 6HN

Telephone: 01530 261475 or 07855565936

Email ibstock@ymail.com

Measham

Measham Leisure Centre off High Street, Measham, Derbyshire DE12 7HR 

Telephone: 01530 589583

Email info@meashamparishcouncil.gov.uk

Date Issued 03 April 2020

Date Revised 24 April 2020