What you need to know

This guidance aims to balance the needs of the bereaved to mourn, with the need to minimise the spread of COVID-19 infection. While recognising the importance of these rituals and gatherings, the actions detailed in this guidance are important in reducing the spread of infection, particularly to clinically vulnerable and clinically extremely vulnerable people who may be at risk of severe illness.

The risk of COVID-19 spread increases whenever households mix. A household is defined as those people who live together under the same roof and who share facilities. Any mourners who are not part of the same household or support bubble should follow social distancing guidelines.

For deaths that are suspected or confirmed as being due to COVID-19, household members of the deceased person may have already been exposed to COVID-19. However, you should take steps to minimise any new exposure, especially where people who are not part of the household, and those at risk of severe illness, may come into contact with the virus.

Social distancing and keeping safe

If you are attending a funeral or similar event, you should:

• stay at least 2 metres away from others outside your household or support bubble

• wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser

• avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

• when coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and throw away the tissue safely. If you do not have a tissue, use the crook of your elbow (not hands) to cough or sneeze into

• wear a face covering, as required by law when attending indoor places of worship, crematoria and burial ground chapels unless you are exempt for health, disability or other reasons. You should also wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult and where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet. There is additional guidance on the use of face coverings

• avoid singing, shouting, chanting and raising your voice because this may increase the risk of airborne transmission of the virus

If you are organising a funeral or similar event, you should:

• consider inviting close friends and family only, to reduce the risk of spreading infection

• ensure other mourners are aware if there is a clinically extremely vulnerable person attending. They should be respectful of the vulnerable person’s need to avoid close contact at any point

• try to facilitate remote participation, for example, via live-streaming

• ensure mourners avoid playing musical instruments that are blown. Some professional, socially-distanced vocal or instrumental contributions can take place, either indoors or outdoors, but outside wherever possible. Singing should be limited to a small, set group of no more than 6 people, staying at least 2 metres apart, and should not include audience participation. There is additional guidance on the performing arts. Consider using instrumental music or recordings as an alternative to live singing

• remind mourners that spoken addresses and responses during a ceremony should not be in a raised voice. Encourage the use of microphones or similar equipment to minimise natural voice volume

Who can attend a funeral?

Funeral ceremonies must have no more than 30 people attending, whether indoors or outdoors. This number does not include funeral staff.

The actual number of people able to attend will depend on how many people can be accommodated safely within the premises with social distancing, and where the organiser has carried out a risk assessment and taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of COVID-19. In some cases, this may be fewer than 30 people. Keeping overall numbers as low as possible will reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Limits for funeral ceremonies held as part of communal worship will be defined by the risk assessment of the venue. Guidance on places of worship is available.

People who are symptomatic should not attend

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell), should not attend a funeral. You should immediately self-isolate, follow the stay at home guidance, and request a test online, or by contacting NHS 119 via telephone if you do not have internet access.