Stirling council announces temporary adjustments to funerals amid Covid-19 crisis

Stirling Council’s cemeteries has announced some temporary adjustments to comply with recent Scottish government legislation and national guidance amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In line with government restrictions, including regulations on social distancing, the council has announced only immediate family members can attend the funerals and mourners must maintain a distance of two-meters at all times.

The council also revealed a limit to 10 people to attend at a graveside.

Other changes include provisional interment bookings can only be made electronically via email attachment or fax (signatures of the family member/applicant arranging the funeral will be required on all applications of internment forms), the suspension of the process to ‘Transfer the Exclusive Right of Burial’ and the suspension of the Memorial Mason Registration Scheme and associated applications for the installation of foundations, added inscriptions and requests of permits.

Convener of Stirling Council’s Environment and Housing Committee, Cllr Jim Thomson said: “The last thing we want to do is add to the distress of bereaved families, but in these unprecedented times we must adhere to the strict Government restrictions to protect our staff and the public.

“These are not decisions we would want to impose during the loss of a loved one, but our cemeteries staff will do all they can to ensure people can properly pay their respects in a dignified manner.”

Vice Convener of the Environment and Housing Committee, Cllr Danny Gibson added: “We understand how difficult these measures will be for families mourning the death of a loved one at this time.

“Despite the national restrictions, we will continue to offer a funeral service with care and respect, and our staff will be available to provide help and reassurance for families. We will actively monitor the situation so we can remove the restrictions as soon as possible.”