Harrowing new rules imposed on mourners
Cemetery service brings in changes to curb virus
Mourners must stand two metres apart at funerals with only 10 people allowed graveside under harrowing new measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Stirling Council’s cemeteries service is making the changes in line with recent Scottish Government legislation and national guidance on the coronavirus pandemic.
From now only immediate family members can attend funerals and mourners must maintain a social distance of two metres at all times. No more than 10 will be allowed to attend at a graveside.
Senior councillors have expressed their regret at the measures and the affect they will have on local families during an already traumatic time.
But they insist this is the only way to continue to provide the service safely during these difficult times.
Environment and housing committee convener, Councillor Jim Thomson, said: “The last thing we want to do is add to the distress of bereaved families, but in these unprecedented times we must adhere to the strict Government restrictions to protect our staff and the public.
“These are not decisions we would want to impose during the loss of a loved one, but our cemeteries staff will do all they can to ensure people can properly pay their respects in a dignified manner.”
Vice convener of the committee, Councillor Danny Gibson, said the restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible.
He added: “We understand how difficult these measures will be for families mourning the death of a loved one at this time.
“Despite the national restrictions, we will continue to offer a funeral service with care and respect, and our staff will be available to provide help and reassurance for families. We will actively monitor the situation so we can remove the restrictions as soon as possible.”
A number of other changes have been made to funeral arrangements:
Provisional interment bookings can only be made electronically via email attachment or fax (signatures of the family member/applicant arranging the funeral will be required on all applications of interment forms);
The suspension of the process to ‘Transfer the Exclusive Right of Burial’ – lair transfers can take place at a later date;
The suspension of the Memorial Mason Registration Scheme and associated applications for the installation of foundations, added inscriptions and requests of permits.
The council is keeping the situation under review and says it will remove the restrictions as soon as possible.
More information can be found at: https://www.stirling. gov.uk/licensing-legal/birthsmarriages-death/cemeteries/
Details of government assistance for bereaved families can be found on the following website: https://www.mygov. scot/funeral-support-payment/
A support network to help Stirling’s most vulnerable people has been launched by Stirling Council during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents can apply for this support and find the details about it here: https://www. stirling.gov.uk/supportforpeople