Bradford Council to ease funeral restrictions for mourners

Bradford Council has announced restrictions on the number of mourners allowed at funerals in the district are to be eased from next week (8 June).

The council announced the total number of mourners allowed to attend ceremonies and burials is to increase from 10 people to 20 people.

Bradford Council originally imposed the prohibitions to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (Covid 19) between mourners, funeral directors and crematorium staff.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the council revealed there were almost double the number of cremations taking place in Bradford’s three crematoria, Nab Wood, Scholemoor and Oakworth. 

The news comes as Leeds City Council announced all crematoria chapels, including all burial chapels for funeral services managed by the council will reopen from Monday 8 June.

This decision follows a review of the number of cremations taking place in the city, which while still remaining high, have reduced to a level which can ensure that steps can now be put in place to protect the health and wellbeing of mourners, council staff and partners, whilst services are taking place in chapels.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for Healthy People and Places, said: “Preventing people entering the chapel was one of the hardest decisions we have had to make to prevent the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

“We are well aware of how much distress was caused but we had no choice. Now the situation has changed and the number of funerals has reduced, we are relieved to be able to ease some of the restrictions for those saying goodbye to loved ones.”