PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Crematoriums: Coronavirus (28 August 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the maximum number of 30 attendees for large events during the covid-19 outbreak (a) applies to both local authority and privately run crematoria and (b) is enforceable; and who is responsible for enforcing attendance limits within private crematoria.

Asked by:
Esther McVey (Conservative)

From 14 September 2020 there is a gathering limit of six people in England with set exemptions, including attending funerals. This exemption applies in both private and local authority crematoria, but limits the gathering to 30 people. Some premises may limit capacity further based on how many people they can safely accommodate with social distancing in place. The police currently have responsibility for enforcing the gatherings provisions.

We expect crematoriums to follow the guidance to protect mourners.

Further guidance can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

Answered by:
Ms Nadine Dorries (Conservative)
23 September 2020