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, visiting is allowed as an individual, one household or support bubble or with one adult from another household.

  We have introduced the following temporary changes: 

  • The Council building is closed to the public for all enquiries please telephone our Bereavement service team on 01530 454595
  • The number of the above is restricted to 30 for any burial interments at the cemetery
  • The number of the above is restricted to 15 for cremated remains interments at the cemetery. All working staff Officiants, Funeral directors and cemetery staff are not included in this number.
  • The mourners should keep 2 metres apart from each other where possible in the cemetery and 1metre plus by the graveside - Face coverings must be worn when less that 2metres apart
  • Mourners should follow the advice on social distancing when travelling to and from the funeral gathering.
  • Mourners / visitors should avoid any direct face-to-face or physical contact, for example, hugging each other unless they are part of the same household, that is, they have already been living in the same house as each other.
  • 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.
  • Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 should immediately self-isolate at home for at least 10 days and request a test online, or by contacting NHS 119 via telephone if they do not have internet access.
  • 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.

• 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.

• Take extra care to keep your distance and avoid contact with another mourner who may be clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable
• Maintain a distance of at least 2 metres at all times between you and other mourners. Other mourners need to be aware of this prior to attending.
• Practice strict hand and respiratory hygiene by:
  • wearing a surgical-grade Type IIR face mask or higher grade, properly fitting, to minimise any risk of viral transmission from yourself to others. If a respirator mask is used (for example N95), this should be non-valved. Type IIR masks are widely available from pharmacies, supermarkets and online retailers. We advise you to provide your own face mask, but those organising the funeral may also want to ensure they have some in stock
  • 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
• Mourners who are clinically vulnerable or extremely clinically vulnerable should adhere to rigorous hand and respiratory hygiene at all times but particularly whilst out of the home environment. Hand sanitiser or sanitising wipes should be used regularly whilst outside of the home.
• Mourners who have travelled to England from other countries that are not exempt from the requirements to self-isolate (in the last 14 days) may attend the funeral, if it is a household member, a close family member or a friend. You will still be required to abide by the national restrictions at all other times.
• 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.
• We are not currently offering appointments to meet a member of staff to select, locate a grave or memorial
• You may not currently scatter cremated remains of loved ones with family and friends present

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

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-the-bereaved?utm_source=68e94f9e-860b-4243-bae7-5a475465762e&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate 

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

Coronavirus bereavement information document (PDF Document, 0.2 Mb)

Coronavirus bereavement information - easy read version (PDF Document, 7.52 Mb)

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

Ashby Woulds Town Council and Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe Joint Burial Committee

Lindsay Weaver, 71 Main Street, Thringstone, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 8ND

Telephone: 01530 222348

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