Chapels will reopen for funerals in Leeds area in June

Leeds City Council announced that its decision follows a review of the number of cremations taking place in the city.

It said, while still remaining high, they have reduced to a level to put in place proceedures to protect mourners, council staff and partners during services.

“As per pre-coronavirus, service times will continue to be a maximum of 40 minutes,” said a spokesman.

“To ensure that appropriate cleaning can take place between each funeral service, the number of chapel funeral services taking place throughout the day will however be reduced from 11 to 9.

“This reduction will also ensure that the council is able to offer direct cremations along the same lines pre-Covid19.”

In relation to funerals, Public Health England (PHE) published their revised guidance on 18 May to ensure funerals are conducted safely.

The spokesman added: “The key message throughout this guidance note is the importance of social distancing to prevent the risk of spreading coronavirus.

“In line with this guidance, the council has taken the decision to restrict the maximum number of mourners to 10 that are allowed inside the chapel areas.

“To protect the health and wellbeing of all individuals in the chapel, we respectfully ask that social distancing be maintained at all times.”

“Toilets and hand washing facilities will be available at each of the crematoria, along with hand sanitiser for mourners to use upon entering and exiting the chapel areas.

“To ensure a thorough clean between each funeral service can be achieved and more importantly that mourners do not overlap with the next funeral service coming in, we will be working with Funeral Directors to keep services in the chapel to the specified length of time.”

In recognition of the severe impact coronavirus continues to have on cremation and funeral services in the city, the council has taken the decision that bereavement service fees and charges will remain at 2019 prices until further notice.