Are we allowed to visit cemeteries?

[cerealnamechange]

I have some flowers picked out of the garden that I would like to take to the cemetery to put on loved ones graves and also to clean and tidy around the headstones. Will this be ok? I would be walking there and it's a pretty large open space but if there were lots of people around then I would turn back. I would obviously count it as my daily exercise and not go out again.

Do it! Ours is open, beautiful, and so far free of all the cockwombles who think the rules don’t apply to them (they’re in the park). We live in a 2 bed London flat with a 3 year old and no garden, so really value the cemetery for our daily exercise.

Ours is still open. People still visiting. We live rurally though so may be different everywhere.

Op - I get it. I'm a regular visitor to the baby garden at the local cemetery & I think the parents of those children will be really feeling the fact that they can't visit.

I'd say that if it's not out of way and is open, go ahead.

It's a bit confusingly worded in that it also makes reference to only being open for burials (which suggests cemeteries as well as crematoria are supposed to be closed)?

It is essential for many old and bereaved people who are suffering more than most.

It really isn't. Of course it's something people find comfort in but we're having to temporarily make sacrifices and nobody is saying it's easy. I am due to give birth in 2 weeks, I have a mental health disorder which means I am under my mental health team but they cannot visit me weekly as they have been doing. I am struggling massively but still I cannot access that support or have my dad visit who is named on my care plan as my carer. A phone call isn't the same. Why are certain people allowed to claim something is essential and others aren't? The longer people bend the rules for themselves, the longer we all suffer and then lives start being lost not from a virus but because people can't cope much longer.

I walk through the churchyard every day. Ignore the haters and take your flowers. 💐

You are travelling by foot and counting it as your daily exercise so I don't see why not. As long as it is still open and you are social distancing I don't see how this is breaking the rules? I haven't seen the government state that the daily exercise cant include a walk through the cemetary

I truly understand OP. I think if it is part of your walk or daily exercise and the area is quiet when you get there, there is no problem.

People saying it is not essential...is the exercise many people are taking essential? Is every shopping trip essential? Frankly people don't need to run in the park and children don't need to play in the garden...

You're allowed to go for a walk close to home so if it's within easy walking distance of your home and it's open, you're allowed.

@pocketem

I bet everyone outside your household is really missing their quality time with you. Just can't buy that kind of empathy and support.

Aw, this is very hard. But essential is essential in the most basic sense. Food, medicine, exercise - and the last of those three is going to be taken away from us if people keep bending what is actually essential.

Yes go for the walk, but no to tidying up etc. That’s not exercise, sorry.

Please, we are all feeling this. If we do it right it will be for a few weeks. Do it wrong and it could be months and even more deaths.

I've just replied on another thread, but I'm a burial clerk and all.of our cemeteries have been closed to everyone except funeral parties with a maximum of 5 graveside.
Sorry :-(

someone mentioned walking their dog in a cemetery.
is that appropriate. i wouldn't like to see it.
after all dogs have calls of nature, and do not know where they are.

someone mentioned walking their dog in a cemetery.
is that appropriate. i wouldn't like to see it.
after all dogs have calls of nature, and do not know where they are

Our churchyard welcomes dogs on the basis they’re all God’s creatures.

"This situation is really bringing out the worst in people, you are disgusting."

I agree that this is bringing out the worst in people. Unnecessary visits to cemeteries are included in that. So no, you should stay at home

The woodland burials places all got advice to close to visitors.

Well said @NotEverythingIsBlackandwhite

Op can you walk there as part of your daily allowed walk?

Well, I took a walk there and it was open so I went in. The church building was shut but the gates were still open, no signs up. There were a couple of people in cars (it is a large drive in one) but that's it, didn't even come close to coming into contact with anyone else. I probably saw less people than taking a walk around the neighbourhood,

Ours are all open too. And tbh they have been so poorly maintained that even if they shut the gates you'd be able to access without issues. I see no major problems personally as for us this would be a part of our typical routes walking around the village.

Good for you OP I'm glad you were able to follow the social distancing rules whilst visiting the grave

I really can’t see the problem in going to a cemetery and counting it as your “daily exercise”, which it would be as you would be walking within the grounds.

It’s good that people are taking the Government’s restrictions seriously, but the puritical zealotry that some people seem to want to enforce it is quite unnecessary (what’s harm can be done in going to a cemetery!), and counter-productive if we are to have to sustain this for many weeks.

So pleased you went, OP, it sounds as if you had a tranquil, peaceful interlude, we all need those more than ever right now.

This thread has made me so angry. This crisis has really brought out the worst in people who just LOVE ordering people about.

"No you cannot visit a cemetery"- who the hell made you the fucking police?

I'm so glad you went OP.