Date issued: 8 April 2020
Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium will close from 7pm on Thursday (9 April) except for funerals as part of the Government’s steps to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
Under the Government’s health protection regulations introduced last month to help tackle the spread of Covid-19 all crematoria are now required to close and can only open for funerals.
The regulations also state that if a crematorium is situated in a cemetery – as in the case of the Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium – than that cemetery should be closed except for funerals.
Councillor Andrea Luxford-Vaughan, Portfolio Holder for Customers, said: “Stopping people from visiting their relatives resting in peace in our cemetery is not something I ever expected or wanted to do.
“However, these are unprecedented times and we must follow the regulations if we are to save lives by halting the spread of this invisible enemy. We must do all we can to stop the virus spreading even if the short-term decisions we have to take are difficult.
“The key thing is that we ensure we keep everyone, including visitors, our cemetery and our staff, safe.”
As part of the moves to tackle the spread of Covid-19 only close family, up to a maximum of 10 people, can attend a funeral if they observe the Government’s guidelines by social distancing to two-metres apart in the chapel or at the graveside.
For more information about the impact of Covid-19 on the councils services, and the help and support available for residents and businesses visit www.colchester.gov.uk/coronavirus
Page last reviewed: 8 April 2020