Bennetts Funeral Directors in Essex
Bennetts funerals logo
Can we help 01277 210104 or 01277 627492

Call 01277 210104

Bennetts funerals logo

Covid guidance for funerals

All funerals will be conducted with dignity and respect during this difficult time.

Home » About Bennetts » Covid-19 funerals guide
Coronavirus Notice For Funerals

During these unprecedented times we are doing everything to ensure all funerals go ahead as planned.

Covid Notice

Guidance and advice on arranging a funeral during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the coronavirus pandemic, as a responsible business, we have considered deeply the impacts on funerals already organised and those yet to be planned. Following the Covid guides set, for your loved one’s safety we would like to provide reassurance that our commitment to caring for bereaved people and their loved ones will remain steadfast throughout this period of uncertainty and disruption.

In our efforts to protect families and everyone involved in arranging funerals, we have implemented infection control options in line with the latest advice given by Public Health England. We are also working with partners, such as local crematoria and burial grounds, to ensure we comply with their coronavirus procedures.

If we find ourselves in a position of increased risk to health, and at risk of furthering the spread of coronavirus, we may need to take the following actions,  as per coronavirus guidelines:

 

  • Funeral arrangements being made entirely over the phone, with a visit to a controlled area of our office for form signing with limited face-to-face contact. We would not be able to conduct arrangements at clients’ homes or other venues.
  • Services at places of worship could be cancelled. In such circumstances, we would be happy to arrange a memorial or thanksgiving service at a church or another venue at a later date, when the risk has passed.
  • Services at any venue could be cancelled. This could result in funeral services at crematoria being ‘live-streamed’ via the internet. We would provide advice aimed at ensuring everyone who needs to view the service can do so. Our staff may also be required to wait outside any chapel or building during services, whilst remaining on hand to offer assistance in line with the official Covid guide.
  • Currently, small crematorium and church services are being suggested and personal distancing needs to be observed, please take your own sanitiser for your personal use.
  • Service times at crematoria could be adjusted and/or reduced to allow for increased demand for services.
    Limousine travel could be cancelled. This could result in the family of the deceased and mourners making their own way to the place of the funeral.
  • Staff sharing. In the event of widespread staff illness, we have a contingency plan in place with other local family-run and well-respected funeral directors to share personnel if required. Rest assured you will still see the same high standards of care and professionalism from all of our partner organisations.
  • Viewings. We would protect our clients and staff by restricting viewings. However, we would do our best to enable clients to sit with the coffin during this period.
  • We may be unable to conduct any ‘into church’ provision or ‘into the house’ during this period.
  • The funeral director and staff would not remain in a chapel or other venue during the service. They will remain close by, outside, ready to assist you when required.
  • Pre and post-funeral gatherings in the Brentwood and Billericay areas may have to be cancelled.
    In the case of coronavirus related deaths, we may have to arrange a prompt funeral to prevent unnecessary storage and handling of the deceased.
  • We may not be offering our hygienic treatment (embalming) during this period.
  • Outside organisations will impose rules and restrictions – we will adapt our working practices to follow these.

We ask that all visitors to our office are aware of the following:

  • Our main reception door is regularly cleaned and we keep an eye out for visitors approaching the door.
  • We have a hand sanitiser in our main reception and at the entrance to our chapels, in the toilets, we have soap, hot water and hand sanitiser. Please help us to keep you safe by using it. Our staff sometimes find that a client will want to kiss them or hug to say thank you for supporting them through a difficult time. We politely ask that you refrain from doing this during this period.
  • Things are changing by the day. We would endeavour to notify all families as soon as possible in such circumstances. Please ask your family and friends to contact us for updates or to look on the Much Loved site for your loved ones where we anticipate updates being displayed.

Additionally, you can call our office direct on 01277 210104 or 01277 627492 and keep in touch via the website. You will also find daily posts on our Facebook page.

Thank you for your understanding and assistance.

Jane Bennett
Managing Director