Bouncers enforce rules at cemetery

Security staff brought in to maintain social distancing and ensure mourners kept away from crematorium

THESE were the heartbreaking scenes as bouncers worked the doors of a crematorium enforcing coronavirus rules.

Security staff standing outside Blackley cemetery as services were held to make sure crowds of mourners did not attempt to attend.

The government has advised that no one other than the deceased’s ‘household or close family members’ should attend funerals, and that mourners must remain two metres apart.

In Greater Manchester, authorities have said there can be a maximum of ten mourners overall.

It is understood Manchester council has had no issues with this being complied with so far at the Southern, Blackley, Gorton and Phillips Park cemeteries

– along with Blackley Crematorium.

But last week there was an issue where more than ten mourners turned up for a funeral at another Greater Manchester borough.

It is understood council officials therefore decided it was necessary to have a ‘presence’ at cemeteries. An onlooker at Blackley cemetery told the M.E.N: “There were three bouncers – a man who was walking round and two women standing at the doors.

“It looked empty in the cemetery, normally the car park would have been full.

“It was sad to see.”

“You want to think people can have a good send off and now you’re lucky if you can have close family.

“There was three people who went in to one service together and they were just nodded through.

“But then there was two people outside, they were dressed for a funeral but they didn’t go in so I don’t know if they weren’t allowed.

“It was strange. How many people are going to die from coronavirus and this will happen every day?” In its latest guidance, Public Health England (PHE) said although coronavirus can be transmitted when large groups of people congregate, funerals can still go ahead, with precautions in place.

Any individual displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend.

PHE said there is a ‘small but real risk’ of transmission from the body of a deceased person, so mourners are ‘strongly advised not to take part in any rituals or practices that bring them into close contact with the body of a person who has died from or with symptoms of COVID-19.’

Practices that involve close personal contact with the deceased ‘should only be carried out using the correct personal protective equipment (PPE),’ they add.

Council bosses say they have been working hard with funeral directors to communicate the changes to families and help them make funeral arrangements.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester city council, said:”This has been an incredibly difficult decision for us to take.

“The loss of a loved one is a terrible ordeal to go through, and we are incredibly sympathetic to the additional heartache these measures will cause.

“But, protecting the public and our staff has to remain our priority.

“We will work with funeral directors, members of the clergy and celebrants to ensure that people can be laid to rest with dignity and respect, and that family members will receive all the support they need during such an incredibly difficult time.”

You want to think people can have a good send-off and now you’re lucky if you can have close family Onlooker