Latest guidance on funerals: Hartlepool and East Durham funeral directors explain what families can now do as lockdown eases

Masons in Park Road, Hartlepool, and Speckman’s in Wingate, which are part of the Dignity group, have started seeing people face to face and provide a limousine service again.

The company has provided an update on current arrangements as lockdown restrictions ease but only 12% of people are confident they know what they can and can’t do.

The funeral directors are able to arrange flowers and people can have readings, music and a hearse.

At the height of the lockdown, most funerals were restricted to just a handful of people.

But more and more crematoriums and other funeral venues have adapted their spaces to increase the number of people who can attend while maintaining social distancing.

At Hartlepool Crematorium, 18 people can now attend a service in the large chapel.

And the Church of England is once again allowing funerals in its churches although there may be a limit on the number of mourners.

Mason’s and Speckman’s are able to see two family members at a time in branch, but are asked to ring ahead to make an appointment and encourage people to still do as much as they can over the phone.

The funeral directors have installed perspex partitions between the chauffeur and passengers in their limousines to provide a safe environment, and each car is available for up to six family members from the same household.

Dignity said: "We know how important this service is to many families, so we’ve worked quickly to adapt our limousines so that we can offer it again.”

They added safety is their top priority and branches will continue to monitor social distancing rules and make the best decisions for the community.

The company stated: “For the safety of our employees and the families we serve, funerals may not return to how we knew them before for a while.

“However, funeral directors across Hartlepool will continue to work tirelessly to provide the best possible service for families, ensuring loved ones are given the respect they deserve.”

For more details visit the Dignity website or call 0800 4561047.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here.

Thank you.