We have extracted the following paragraphs which may beneficial to anyone organising a funeral.  

Department of Health (Northern Ireland) Version 8.0

Date issued: 22 December 2020

Remains being taken to private dwellings –

45.0 Only those from the household where the remains have been taken and its linked household10 are permitted to gather to view the body or pay their respects. No more than 10 people from the 2 linked households are permitted inside the dwelling at any time.

10 https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/nisr_2020224.pdf

46.0 No-one else is allowed inside and wakes are not permitted. This is to ensure that the risk of infection is reduced when people from multiple households mix.

Funeral Services

52.0 Funerals are not permitted in private dwellings.

53.0 Where a funeral service is to be conducted in a place of worship or a Funeral Directors premises, a maximum of 25 mourners are permitted to gather. This includes clergy/officiants and children under 12 years old (Funeral staff and cemetery operatives are excluded from this number).

55.0 Face coverings are mandatory when entering, leaving and throughout the funeral service in a place of worship or funeral home.

56.0 Contact details of all those attending a funeral service must be obtained for “Test, Trace and Protect” purposes. It is recommended that each venue ensures that all mourners provide their name and contact number on an attendance sheet when entering the venue. Details must be held for 21 days after the funeral.

Committal/Burial/Cremation

57.0 A maximum of 25 mourners are permitted to attend the committal of a body at a graveside or the City of Belfast Crematorium. This includes clergy/officiants and children under 12 years old (Funeral staff and cemetery operatives are excluded from this number).

Department of Health (Northern Ireland) Covid-19 pandemic - Guidance for handling the infection risks when caring for the deceased and managing funerals (with effect from 26 December 2020)

Attending funerals and committals

58.0 Families, mourners, and funeral staff in attendance at funerals and committals should ensure, and take individual responsibility, to adhere to and practice the recommended social distancing measures. To mitigate against the risk of transmission of infection within the community the following is recommended:

 ensure a distance of at least 2 metres is maintained from each other at the committal venue at all times (except where mourners are from the same household);

 face coverings are worn;

 avoid touching the face and follow good hand hygiene; and

 avoid physical interactions including shaking hands and hugging.

59.0 Families and mourners should follow the advice on social distancing when travelling to and from the funeral. Wherever possible, mourners are encouraged to travel in a car by themselves or only with people from their household.

60.0 Limousines should not be used as mourners cannot maintain the necessary social distancing when travelling inside.

61.0 Any mourner who has tested positive for COVID-19 and self-isolating, or who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 disease should not attend a funeral or committal as they pose a significant risk to others.

62.0 Mourners who are self-isolating for 10 days; due to someone in their household being unwell with symptoms of COVID-19, on the advice of the Contact Tracing system, or in accordance with Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 as amended, should be facilitated to attend the funeral in person, should they wish to do so. They should:

 not attend if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if very mild;

 advise the Funeral Directors and other mourners that they are self-isolating;

 at all times maintain a strict 2 metre distance;

 wear a face covering; and

Department of Health (Northern Ireland) Covid-19 pandemic - Guidance for handling the infection risks when caring for the deceased and managing funerals (with effect from 26 December 2020)

Version 8.0 22 December 2020 Page 19 of 21

 use their own transport to the funeral.

63.0 Mourners who are clinically extremely vulnerable are also permitted to attend should they wish to do so. Other mourners should be advised that a clinically extremely vulnerable person(s) is attending and to be respectful of the need to avoid close contact at any point and to adhere to the 2 metre social distancing measures, wear a face covering and use their own transport.

64.0 In order to maintain social distancing of 2 metres, it is recommended that coffin “lifts” should only take place when all pallbearers are from the same household.

65.0 Funeral arrangements should not be advertised in newspapers or online services. Notice of the death can be placed but specific arrangements should not appear.

Department of Health (Northern Ireland) Covid-19 pandemic - Guidance for handling the infection risks when caring for the deceased and managing funerals (with effect from 26 December 2020)

Version 8.0 22 December 2020 Page 20 of 21

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