Reopening our church buildings:  guidelines for funerals  (21/5/21)

Funerals
We are conscious that our communities need special support and understanding when a loved one dies and we plan to offer the use of the church buildings for funeral services in accordance with government guidelines. Fuller government details can be found for areas designated Level 2 here but the main features of note are:
•    The maximum number of mourners attending a funeral is 50 in accordance with Scottish government guidelines
•    The funeral director will gather those names from the close family together with addresses and contact numbers should people need to be contacted later. This will be the booking system for attendance.
•    The mourners should wear face coverings and make use of the hand sanitisers provided
•    The 2 metre social distancing rule should be observed during the service and at the interment /cremation.

Other mourners are asked to show their respect in appropriate ways whilst complying with these guidelines. They will not be allowed in the church building but a prayer resource for those who cannot attend a funeral service can be found here .

Funerals will take place on a Wednesday or Thursday in one of our three parishes. This is to allow for a 72 hour safety margin between funerals and weekend Masses. This is the safety margin suggested currently for any potential traces of the virus to remain on surfaces. Our first consideration remains the health and safety of our parishioners and mourners, but equally that of our cleaning and stewarding volunteers who are putting themselves at risk for the benefit of the community.  We would keep this arrangement under regular review in line with government advice.