Cemeteries and Crematorium
For the safety of our staff and customers and to help minimise the spread of the coronavirus, the following provides information on how our service has adapted following Public Health England and Government advice.
The maximum number of people who can attend a service at Darlington Crematorium is limited to 20, this is based on venue capacity and the requirement to allow social distancing. Please limit the number of people attending a service to members of the deceased person’s household and their close family and friends. Mourners are asked to sit at least 2 metres apart if not part of the same family and the chapel is sanitised following each service.
No other persons should be in attendance and it is discouraged for people to congregate outside of the chapel and the surrounding areas, so as to avoid disruption to other services and users.
It is asked that anyone who is showing signs of the Coronavirus not to attend the service, however we will try to enable people who are self-isolating due to a possible case of Coronavirus in their household or who are in a clinically vulnerable or shielded group to attend.
From Monday 10 August 2020, updated guidance relating to face coverings has been issued and face coverings will become mandatory whilst inside the chapel.
Singing, chanting, raised voices and playing of instruments which are blown should also be avoided in the chapel building and the curtains will be closed at committal to prevent touching of the coffin on exit.
Access to the grounds is still available but social distancing must be observed.
The Book of Remembrance Hall will reopen on Monday 2 November from 9.00am – 5.00pm, there is a restriction to 2 persons at any one time and a face covering should be worn whilst in the building. Hand sanitiser is available for use as you enter the room. Should you wish, the entries can still be viewed on line - view book entries online.
Burial services within the cemeteries are taking place, again with restricted attendance as for cremation, with graveside service only, it is asked social distancing at the graveside is fully observed.
The Cemetery Office at the Town Hall is closed for public access, however should you require contact with the office, please call 01325 406744 or email:
If requests could be limited to current working arrangements, current funeral services rather than family history requests, this would assist greatly at this time.
Information on registering a death
You can find information on bereavement support on the Covid-19 health and wellbeing page