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.
Regulations do not specify a maximum number of attendees but states that a modest number of close friends and family of the deceased may attend a funeral. The guidance allows the venue to determine the maximum number of attendees based on venue capacity and the requirement to allow social distancing, therefore there is a restricted maximum attendance of 20 people per cremation service within the Chapel building, this will allow 12 seated in the main chapel and up to 8 standing in the overflow area.
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.
Any individual with symptoms of coronavirus must follow government guidelines to stay at home and not attend a funeral service.
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 should still be observed.
The Book of Remembrance Hall is currently closed and will reopen as soon as possible following government guidance, you can view book entries online.
Burial services within the cemeteries are also 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