Roadmap for lifting of funeral restrictions

All restrictions placed upon funerals could be lifted on or after 21st June, according to HM Government’s Covid-19 Response – Spring 2021 document published on 22nd February. The paper outlines a four-step process which begins on 8th March, with the reopening of schools and outdoor exercise and recreation permitted. During this period, funerals will continue to be subject to the 30 mourners at services and six at wakes or commemorative events rules.

It is only during the second step, which is targeted for no earlier than 12th April, that the limit for wakes and commemorative events will be lifted – to 15 people. Step three is expected to be implemented no earlier than 17th May and the limit for all life events will continue to be 30 people, but this will now apply to wakes and commemorative events. The final step, step four, is when all legal limits affecting funerals will be lifted and this is planned for no earlier than 21st June.       

All of the above steps are subject to coronavirus infection rates and will be reviewed at five-weekly intervals. The assessment will be based on four tests:
– The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
– Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
-Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
-Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern

There will be a minimum of five weeks between each step: four weeks for the data to reflect changes in restrictions; followed by seven days’ notice of the restrictions to be eased. Further information about the proposed steps out of lockdown for England can be found here.