30 Apr 2021
The NAFD calls for a move to Wales/Northern Ireland funeral rules for England
With new evidence of the vaccines’ efficacy in preventing transmission and increasing social contact in other parts of society, the National Association of Funeral Directors has told Government that would like to see some pragmatism come in to the guidance for funerals on 17 May to ease the pain of bereaved people.
Our view is that the rules in England should move to those already used in Wales and Northern Ireland, where the maximum number of mourners that can attend is defined by the size of the venue, rather than an arbitrary cap.
We’d also like to see the Government move forward with its plan to trust the public to make informed, personal decisions about social contact – using testing as a safety mechanism – enabling us all to offer the simple comfort of holding hands, or giving a much-needed hug, to those who are isolated in their grief.