Fife Council reiterates current restrictions on mourners at funerals

To keep people safe, Fife Council is currently only allowing immediate family to attend funerals and no more than six people.

A statement from the local authority said the limit on numbers attending funerals is to help stop the spread of Covid-19 by minimising social contact.

The council is defining immediate family as partner/spouse of the deceased; children (and their partners) of the deceased; parents (or carers) of the deceased and brothers and sisters of the deceased.

The statement said: “We appreciate that bereavement is a very difficult time for families and friends, but we must do everything we can to minimise the spread of Covid-19 and keep people safe.

“Recently, large numbers of mourners have been gathering in the crematorium grounds.

“Although this is understandable we need to remind everyone that the crematorium is open to the immediate family attending the service only.

“Unfortunately, if these rules are not followed, we’ll move to closed services.”

The council said it is currently arranging for equipment to enable web streaming of funeral services in both of its crematorium chapels.

The statement added: “This is a temporary system to meet the needs of the current situation and will be available shortly, with a permanent solution fully installed later.

“The message is protection of yourself, your loved ones, your community and our national health service.

“We also ask that you help protect our staff, funeral directors, officiants and organist.”