What happens with funerals in England now?

[Hohohole]

Just got a call that my Dad is dying from covid.
He lives in the UK but I don't,so I can't come over.

Could anyone tell me what the protocol is. How long until the funeral? Is it longer now? He wanted to be cremated. How do I organise a funeral when I'm not there? Any information would be great because I'm lost.
Thank you.

I’m sorry to hear that OP.

Funerals are happening in England with limited numbers. Up to 20 I think. We had 30 minutes allowed for DM’s service in October.

Most funeral directors will organise a live feed to the service for an extra fee.

Can you ring a funeral director close to where your dad lives now, if that’s not too painful, to get a fuller picture?

So sorry to hear about your dad. This is the current information on gov.UK

Funerals
Funerals are allowed with strict limits on attendance, and must only take place in COVID-19 secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances.

Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. Linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 6 people in attendance. Anyone working is not counted in these limits. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.

www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#funerals

and more detail

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-a-funeral-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

So sorry OP, a horrible situation for you.

I work for a Funeral Director. I would google a reputable Funeral Director's near to where your Dad is now, ring them and put them in the picture. You should be able to arrange everything over phone and email.

Funerals don't seem to be delayed too long in our area at the moment, you will probably be looking at 2 weeks from arranging.

A good Funeral Director should be able to look after you and take care of arrangements even though you are not there.

Thinking of you

I’m so sorry to hear about your dad.

My mum died of covid on Christmas Day and her funeral is the 20th January. Much of the arrangement - in fact all - has been completed over the phone. I live in the UK but some 200 miles away and have sorted it from that distance.

Thinking of you

Sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you are able to have a live feed and once Covid is over, be able to remember your dad by way perhaps of a memorial service.

Try a genuinely independent funeral director, or the Co-op

IME they provide a better service than the chains, but undertaking really is a vocation and it is likely that any firm will look after you well, both in arranging the service and streering you through all the admin.

Are you going to have to deal with all his affairs? If so Which? publishes a guide on What To Do When Someone Dies and I think you might find it useful.

Thank so much. He died this morning. His partner who has covid too said she is going to orgsnise everything. I feel so useless. I'm going to miss him so much. I haven't seen him all year for obvious reasons. It's just so shitty. No one's going to call me Poppet anymore.
Thank you for all of your kind words.

I don't understand why you can't come over, surely you can travel for the funeral as immediate family. If you come now and do your 10 day quarantine you'd probably be clear for the funeral?

I'm so sorry for your loss
You will always be his Poppet x

I'm sorry for your loss. Funeral numbers depend on the COVID Secure capacity up to 30. Our local crem is 20. A lot of crems / churches etc are set up for streaming and some funeral directors have their own equipment if the venue doesn't.

I can't. I'd have to quarantine for 10 days and then 14 days when I come home. I have small children, I couldn't be away from them for that long.

Hugs, I lost my dad last year. For my dad they did a live stream so people could watch. There were only 2 of us there. The live streams are being done as standard now by a lot of places due to the situation so you should be able to watch. If you wanted to say something, you could write it and send it so that the person officiating can read it out?

FWIW in your shoes I wouldn't travel now, as you can't see him. You can remember and participate from where you are. I would think your dad would want you to stay as safe as possible and not take risks. Sorry again for your loss. I know it's shit.