Mourners in Calderdale will soon be able to enter the chapel at Park Wood Crematorium once more to attend the funeral service of a loved one.

Strict restrictions have been in place at funeral services throughout the lockdown to ensure social distancing is maintained to protect mourners, Bereavement Service colleagues and funeral directors as much as possible from the coronavirus.

Currently up to 10 mourners may accompany the hearse to the door of the crematorium where they can hear a short service by a minister/celebrant and then say their final goodbyes.

As the demand for funeral services is now reducing the Council has announced that from today, any new bookings will allow up to ten mourners to enter the crematorium chapel to attend a funeral service.

The chapel will be adapted so that those attending the funeral are able to observe social distancing safely and mourners will be asked to sit at least 2 metres apart.

Hand sanitizing stations will be provided at the entrance and exit and a one-way system will be used inside the chapel to help minimise the area which needs to be thoroughly cleaned between services.

Those unable to attend the funeral service can watch on the free webcasting service.

The cremation service fee has been reduced to reflect that only limited numbers will be able to attend the chapel service.

Graveside burial services will continue to go ahead, with a maximum of ten mourners. This will allow Bereavement Service staff to ensure that social distancing during the burial is strictly observed throughout the open air ceremony.

Any individual displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should follow the Government guidelines to stay at home and should not attend a funeral service