Important updated guidance : ‘COVID-19: guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic’

THIS GUIDANCE HAS BEEN UPDATED – PLEASE SEE UPDATED GUIDANCE POST OF 5TH JULY 2021

26 June 2021

Public Health England and the Department of Health & Social Care has issued updated guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic. This revised guidance applies in England from 21 June 2021.

This has been updated in line with the following amendments: 

  • From 21 June, there will no longer be a maximum number of attendees set out in law for funerals or commemorative events. Instead, the number of attendees will be determined by how many people the venue or outdoor space can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place, including guests of all ages and anyone working at the event. This will be based on the COVID-19 risk assessment of the venue or outdoor space, and the measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • In a COVID-Secure venue, the venue manager will need to tell those organising the funeral the maximum number of people who will be able to attend according to that specific venue.
  • If the funeral or commemorative event is taking place in other venues, (such as a garden of a private home or on private land), the organisers will need to make the space as safe as possible with social distancing measures, liaising with the venue owner where appropriate. 
  • For any event which takes place indoors within a private home, in line with the wider rules for meeting indoors, up to 6 people, or more if everyone present is from the same 2 households, can attend.
  • Please see the further guidance on steps to take when holding an event in other venues, including a garden of a private home, on private land, or in a public outdoor place within the guidance for arranging and attending a funeral or commemorative event for the public. 
  • There is also updated guidance on enforcement for members of the public organising events in other venues such as private gardens. 

You can read the updated guidance here:-