FUNERAL directors can no longer advertise the time and route of the funeral on death notices under new guidance from the Department of Health.

From this week, Funeral Times – along with the three daily newspapers in Northern Ireland – will no longer display full funeral arrangements due to Coronavirus guidelines issued from the Department of Health.

However, Funeral Times will allow for the details of webcam services to be published on notices.

In a document entitled, ‘Covid-19 Pandemic: Guidance for handling the infection risks when caring for the deceased and managing funerals’ that was issued by the Department of Health on December 26, Section 65 states: “Funeral arrangements should not be advertised in newspapers or online services. Notice of the death can be placed, but specific arrangements should not appear.”

A spokesperson for the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) confirmed that these measures were in place, and discouraged NAFD members and other funeral directors from disobeying the regulations on the displaying of specific funeral arrangements.

 

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They said: “The Northern Ireland guidance makes it really clear for funeral directors – there should be no displaying of specific arrangements. This is in place, as it could lead to a gathering of people that could result in the spreading of Covid-19.

“The issue had been brought to NAFD after it was found that some funeral directors were continuing to breach the guidance.

"Under the broader 'Stay at Home' message which is in place across the UK, there should be no leaving the home for unnecessary travel, such as gathering in an area to watch a funeral procession."

Currently, the guidance from the Northern Ireland Executive surrounding funerals states that 25 people can attend a funeral service, but there can be no pre- or post-funeral gatherings, and wakes cannot take place.

The PSNI were asked about enforcement of the guidance. A spokesperson said: “We understand and sympathise that when a loved one dies, it is a very traumatic and sad time, and that a funeral is part of the grieving process that allows people to say their goodbyes and pay their respects.

"However, it is essential that everyone respects the current health protection regulations and follows the guidance from the Department of Health regarding funeral announcements.

“We will always engage with people first, explaining the guidance and the law, and encourage people to comply, judging each case on its own merits.

"Where people breach the regulations and we are left with no choice but to enforce, we will take this measure in order to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities and help protect our NHS.”

However, the new rules drew a mixed reaction from across the sector. One such funeral director, Pat Blake, of Derrylin, said: "It is a huge contradiction – we are allowed to publish notices carrying times if the funeral is taking place via webcam, but it is deemed 'unacceptable' if there is no webcam in the funeral venue.

"I presume they are trying to stop the information being made available to the public to prevent them from gathering on roads [for the passing of a funeral cortege].

"I was not aware that there was a risk to the public if people paid their respects, socially distanced, two metres away in a family bubble, unless this new [Covid] variant changes the way the virus is spread.”