Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Videolink funerals to keep mourners safe for ceremony
A funeral director is holding services remotely because of the coronavirus outbreak. Robert Kent Funeral Services, based in Dover and Hythe, will relay services to mourners via videolink.
This will save people crowding together in chapels at a time when they are being asked to self-isolate to prevent further infections.
The company’s director, Robert Kent, said he got the idea when one funeral with an expected 300 mourners was reduced to 20 or 30 because of the pandemic.
This service, for a man from the Dover area aged over 80, is booked for Barham Crematorium this week.
It will go ahead but with mourners able to follow it via videolink at home.
Mr Kent said: “This seems to make sense as it would save people, many elderly, having to travel from different parts of the country, which usually happens with funerals.
“When I mentioned the videolink idea to other customers later they all agreed with it.” The firm will make no extra charge for this form of service. Mr Kent said: “It looks as if all our funerals are going to be like this for the foreseeable future. “People who are more vulnerable to colds, such as the elderly, are afraid to travel because of the coronavirus.
“With the gentleman’s funeral, more and more of the mourners called to say they weren’t coming.”
Robert Kent Funeral Services has parlours in both the High Streets of Dover and Hythe.
The Church of England has issued new advice to ensure funerals can continue safely amid current coronavirus restrictions. Guidance available on the Church of England website states Christian funerals will continue but with some adaptations.
While acknowledging the changes will be difficult, it says they are being made to protect everyone. Recommendations include limiting the numbers of those attending to immediate family and using technology to capture the event for those who are unable to be there in person.
The guidance stresses social distancing measures should be observed for those attending the funeral in person.
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, said: “While funerals are going to be different for the foreseeable future, we remain committed to offering pastoral and spiritual support as we share the love and hope of Jesus Christ.”