Grantham Crematorium to live stream funerals so loved ones can watch online
Mourners are able to watch funeral services via webcam from the safety of their homes.
The live streaming of some funeral services is part of measures being undertaken at Grantham Crematorium for mourners who are unable to attend services due to Covid-19 restrictions.
During the pandemic the Government’s directive on the number of mourners that can attend a funeral has changed depending on the severity of the spread of the virus.
To comply with the current guidelines, Grantham Crematorium, located in the cemetery off Harrowby Road, has also introduced speakers outside the chapel so that mourners who are not allowed into the service can instead listen to it.
The speakers have not been previously used as at the height of the pandemic there were concerns nationally that mourners may gather outside crematoria buildings.
The web-casting is an existing service but until the pandemic was chosen by families with relatives living abroad that cannot attend a funeral. It’s now available to families where relatives are shielding or too ill to attend in person.
A crematorium representative said they are not in a position to extend the chapel to accommodate more mourners as the building is surrounded by graves and scatter lawns for ashes, so an extension to the building is not possible.
Manager Dee Bachelor praised the crematorium’s key workers. She said: “Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we have done everything possible to ensure that bereaved families can say a respectful and dignified farewell to their loved ones.
“In line with the latest Government directive, our chapel is arranged to accommodate a reduced number of mourners whilst also ensuring that social distancing guidelines are adhered to.
“The current directive from Government is that a maximum of 30 people can attend a funeral.
“As our chapel cannot accommodate that number of people whilst observing social distancing, we are providing the speakers so that mourners outside can experience the service.
“We also provide a web-casting service so that those who cannot attend the funeral in person are able to watch the service at home.”
The cemetery was closed in April as part of the national restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
However, it reopened a week later.