PUBLIC NOTICE
Under Sec 5 (8) of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020, as amended.
THE CREMATORIUM AND ANY ASSOCIATED BUILDINGS ARE CLOSED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC EXCEPT FOR THOSE ATTENDING FUNERAL SERVICES.
THE CLOSURE DOES NOT APPLY TO THE GROUNDS SURROUNDING THE CREMATORIUM; OUR GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE IS OPEN FOR VISITING.
The regulations were made in response to the serious and imminent threat to public health which is posed by the incidence and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
For those wishing to visit the Book of Remembrance a digital version is available online on our website.
The government has advised that funeral services with physical attendance of mourners should continue as long as those attending adhere to the guidance, which details how the risk of transmission can be reduced. Please be aware that the situation on attendance remains under review and can be changed or updated if the guidance is not adhered to and/or in line with the changing situation.
Service Attendance Advice - In order to comply with the latest guidance from the government, to ensure that the bereaved are treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect and the mourners and staff working are protected from infection, the following restrictions apply at Portchester Crematorium:
- Alongside the Funeral Director, Chapel Attendant, and funeral staff only the following should attend:
- members of the person's household
- close family members
- or if the above are unable to attend, close friends - please note that this only applies if there is no one from the household or close family of the deceased able to attend
- attendance of a celebrant of choice, should the bereaved request this.
- In order to restrict the number of mourners who attend so that a safe distance can be maintained, the following restrictions will now apply in our chapels:
South Chapel - The number of mourners is restricted to a maximum of 15. They need to be seated no more than 2 people to a bench, unless they are from the same household, and only every other row of seating should be used.
North Chapel - The number of mourners is restricted to a maximum of 10. They need to be seated no more than 2 people to a row of seats, unless they are from the same household. Seats in this chapel have been reduced and distanced to accommodate this.
The limits on the number of mourners are the maximum numbers that should be attending the site for the service. It is not just a maximum number for entering the Chapels as anyone outside of these numbers then becomes a public gathering. The most recent guidance from the Government still includes that, to ensure people are social distancing, the government has prohibited by law all public gatherings of more than two people.
Although we have given a maximum on the numbers attending and made clear who can attend, the guidance does state that action should be taken to restrict the number of mourners to be as low as possible to ensure protection for the mourners gathered, with a particular focus on protecting those that are vulnerable, and reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19).
Mourners should be following advice on social distancing when travelling to and from the funeral gathering and any mourner who is showing symptoms should not attend the funeral as they pose a risk to others; remote participation should be considered.
The Guidance also states that to ensure that organisations managing funerals are able to cope with the increased number of deaths, it is important that funerals are not delayed. We understand how difficult this will be for the families and friends of lost loved ones; however, the current guidance will be in place for the foreseeable future for the safety of the public.
For further advice for mourners on attending services at Portchester Crematorium our public notice can be found here.
We have closed the Office to members of the public. Any enquiries can still be dealt with on the telephone by contacting the Crematorium Office on (01329) 822533.
Victoria Hatton
Crematorium Manager