Coronavirus Information
Coronavirus Critical Update
Updated 14/05/2021
From Monday 17 May 2021 up to 24 mourners are permitted to attend a funeral in chapel. This limit is in place to ensure social distancing between mourners or family/support bubbles in-line with a risk assessment.
For graveside services the cap has been removed but social distancing must be observed at all times.
Mourners are encouraged to take a lateral flow test before attending a funeral.
Our grounds and public spaces are open to the public at our usual advertised times (or restricted times as per the below information) for funerals and for visitors to graves, gardens and books of remembrance – however you MUST consider if your visit/travel is essential at this time to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. Please check this page before your visit for updates.
Please find links below for information, guidance and for restrictions currently in place at this time.
Each section has a list based on frequently asked questions and printable guidance where applicable.
Because of frequent changes to legislation and guidance and the possibility of further lockdown measures, the information on this page is expected to change from time to time. Please revisit this page the day of your visit.
We thank you for your understanding at this time.
This is a list based on frequently asked questions. For more information and advice on planning your visit to Wandsworth or Battersea New (Morden) cemetery please click here
For North East Surrey Crematorium and gardens please visit their website click here
| Frequently asked questions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Current position | Date implemented |
Last updated |
| Grounds opening times | Wandsworth Normal advertised times ~ Battersea New (Morden) Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm Weekends and public holidays 10am to 4pm |
20 July | 20 July |
| Maximum visitors in a group | Six (as per the current general legislation) | 12 April 2021 | 12 April |
| Gatherings | Not permitted as per Coronavirus Act 2020 |
6 April | 6 April |
| Public toilets | Wandsworth Normal advertised times ~ Battersea New (Morden) Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm Weekends and public holidays Closed |
20 July | 20 July |
This is a list based on frequently asked questions. For more information and advice on planning your visit to the cemetery or gardens please click here
| Frequently asked questions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Current position | Date implemented |
Last updated |
| Grounds opening times | Normal advertised times | 20 July | 20 July |
| Maximum visitors in a group | Six (from the same family bubble) | 20 July | 20 July |
| Gatherings | Not permitted as per Coronavirus Act 2020 |
6 April | 6 April |
| Public toilets | Normal advertised times (crematorium building only) |
20 July | 20 July |
This is a list based on frequently asked questions. For more information and advice on planning your visit to the halls of remembrance please click here
| Frequently asked questions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Current position | Date implemented |
Last updated |
| Building opening times | Daily 10am to 4pm (last admittance at 3:45pm) |
20 July | 22 July |
| Maximum visitors in a group | Four adults plus children (from the same household/Support bubble) |
20 July | 22 July |
| Use of face coverings | Compulsory unless exempt | 20 July | 12 April |
| Public toilets | Normal advertised times (crematorium building only) |
20 July | 22 July |
This is a list based on frequently asked questions. For more information and advice on arranging a funeral you should speak with your funeral arranger.
Restrictions change from time to time so please revisit this page a few days before a funeral in case any of this information has changed.
| Frequently asked questions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Current position | Date implemented |
Last updated |
| Permitted number of mourners | Up to 24 in chapel
Up to 30 at graveside |
13 July | 12 April |
| Who can attend | Invited close family and friends | 13 July | 13 July |
| Is the minister included in the restricted number of mourners | No | 6 April | 6 April |
| How long is permitted for the service in chapel | Our usual policy applies. For early slots before 10am 20 minutes is allowed. For Slots 10am onwards it is 30 minutes. Please stick to these times as we need to hygienically clean the chapel between services. If you require more time you may, for a fee book an additional slot which will allow for a service of up to one hour | n/a | n/a |
| What measures are in place to protect the public from the virus in the chapel | Between each service our chapel attendant disinfects the pews paying particular attention to pews used at each service. All touch points are sanitised between services. We have hand sanitiser available in the chapel and ask that mourners sanitise on entering and leaving the building. Face coverings are compulsory for mourners from Friday 7 August. We expect mourners to use common sense when choosing where to sit in the chapel with each family ‘bubble’ sitting at least 2 meters apart. | 6 April | 4 August |
| Test and trace | We ask that the lead mourner (usually the person organising the funeral) compiles a list of mourners and their contact telephone numbers. This list should be kept by the lead mourner for 21 days. If we are contacted by Public Health England or the NHS suspecting that someone on that day may have the virus, we will contact the lead mourner to advise them what to do | 13 July | 13 July |
| Use of face coverings | Face coverings must be worn unless exempt | 7 August | 4 August |
| Is singing permitted in chapel | Government guidance states that the singing of hymns is not encouraged. We are not enforcing this however should more than 16 mourners be in attendance (up to the current limit) we suggest that singing does not take place. Hymn books were removed from chapels at the start of our response to the pandemic | 20 July | 4 August |
| Professional singers / use of instruments | Professional singers (for example soloists) are not encouraged but families/funeral directors should call the office for advice. The use of blown instruments is also not permitted. Any other performers are to be included in the permitted number of mourners | 5 August | 12 April |
| Are floral tributes permitted | Yes. Our usual policy applies and your funeral arranger will be able to arrange these for you. Any tribute placed on the coffin will be removed after the service and placed on the floral terrace. Please note that tributes are not able to be cremated for environmental reasons with the exception of a handful of fresh flowers if you wish | n/a | n/a |
| Can we witness the coffin being placed in a cremator | Unfortunately due to the layout of the building and to protect staff we are unable to offer this at this time | 6 April | 6 April |
| Car parking | Ample free car parking is available at Putney Vale Crematorium. Parking for burials is around the cemetery but not too near to the area where the burial is taking place | 5 August | 5 August |
| Burials: Backfilling of graves by mourners | At this time we need to protect our staff and ensure burials are conducted safely – both because of the virus and the usual risks. Backfilling of a grave can only be completed by our contractors. A token handful of soil may be sprinkled into the grave by each mourner if desired | 13 July | 23 July |
| Burials: Family lowering of a coffin into a grave | Our usual policy still applies but subject to any policy the funeral director has in place at this time. If permitted two members of a family may assist the lowering of a coffin with four trained funeral staff taking the corner positions. | n/a | n/a |
| Public toilets | Normal advertised times (crematorium building only) |
20 July | 23 July |
This is a list based on frequently asked questions.
The immediate family of the person who has died should invite close friends and family to restrict the numbers of mourners as per our restrictions (below). If you are not invited you should not plan to attend.
Restrictions change from time to time so please revisit this page a few days before a funeral in case any of this information has changed.
| Frequently asked questions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Current position | Date implemented |
Last updated |
| Permitted number of mourners | Up to 24 in chapel
Up to 30 at graveside |
13 July | 12 April |
| Who can attend | Only those invited by the lead mourner may attend a funeral at this time | 13 July | 13 July |
| If I am not invited can I attend and stand nearby (the chapel or grave) | We are not encouraging this as we have limited parking and have to prioritise the safety of mourners and staff. Keeping attendance numbers low lowers this risk. | 23 March | 23 March |
| If I am not invited can I watch a service online | This is an option for services in chapel. If you are able to, you should contact the immediate family. If they have taken this option they will be able to provide you with the details. The office is not able to provide this to you. | 23 March | 23 March |
| Can I send flowers to a funeral | Yes. You can arrange for flowers to be sent directly to the crematorium on the morning of a funeral. The florist will place them on the floral terrace where a name card will have been placed. For burials please ask the florist to visit the office and staff will advise them where to leave them – usually next to the grave. Alternatively if you know who the funeral director is, you may send the tributes to them. | n/a | n/a |
| What measures are in place to protect the public from the virus in the chapel | Between each service our chapel attendant disinfects the pews paying particular attention to pews used at each service. All touchpoints are sanitised between services. We have hand sanitiser available in the chapel and ask that mourners sanitise on entering and leaving the building. Face coverings are compulsory unless exempt. We expect mourners to use common sense when choosing where to sit in the chapel with each family ‘bubble’ sitting at least 2 meters apart. | 23 March | 7 August |
| Test and trace | The lead mourner (usually the person organising the funeral) should compile a list of mourners and their contact telephone numbers. The lead mourner will keep these details for 21 days and if we are contacted by Public Health England or the NHS suspecting that someone on that day may have the virus, we will contact the lead mourner to advise them what to do. | 13 July | 13 July |
| Use of face coverings | Face coverings must be worn unless exempt | 7 August | 4 August |
| Car parking | Ample free car parking is available at Putney Vale Crematorium. Parking for burials is around the cemetery but not too near to the area where the burial is taking place | 18 May | 18 May |
| Public toilets | Normal advertised times (crematorium building only) |
20 July | 22 July |
This is a list based on frequently asked questions.
For information and advice on planning a burial of cremated remains please click here
For information and advice on planning a scattering of cremated remains (available from 3 August) please click here
| Frequently asked questions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Current position | Date implemented | Last updated |
| Maximum attendees | Up to 15 | 12 April 2021 | 12 April |
| Appointment limitations | Burial of cremated remains – Monday to Friday only (excluding bank holidays.) Scattering appointments limited to 11am and 2pm with weekend appointments now available (small charge) |
3 August | 12 April |
| Use of face coverings | Advisable | 24 July | 23 July |
| Public toilets | Normal advertised times (crematorium building only) |
20 July | 22 July |
This is a list based on frequently asked questions.
| Frequently asked questions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Current position | Date implemented | Last updated |
| Is the office open to the public | Yes – We are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm (excluding public holidays) | 20 July | 20 July |
| Can I have a face to face consultation | We are only able to speak with you at the reception desk which has a ‘sneeze screen’ in place to protect staff and visitors.
~ You should consider emailing us at bereavement@enablelc.org |
20 July | 20 July |
| Use of face coverings | Face coverings must be worn unless exempt | 20 July | 20 July |
| Public toilets | Public toilets (including disabled facilities) are not available in the office building. Toilets are available at the crematorium building during normal advertised times | 20 July | 20 July |
If you are in need of support during these challenging times, the below websites may be of some comfort:
Mental Health UK – Here you’ll find lots of tips and ideas to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing
MIND – Information on the coronavirus and advice on how to manage your wellbeing
Anxiety UK – Advice on health and other forms of anxiety and coronavirus
Mental Health – Variety of guides and advice on looking after your mental health
Place 2 Be – Improving Children’s Mental Health
Mental Health Apps from the NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/big-white- wall/
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/catch-it/
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/feeling-good-positive-mindset/
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/my-possible-self/
Annual Memorial Service 2020 -
We regret that, due to the Coronavirus outbreak our open day and annual service of thanksgiving and remembrance planned for Sunday 13th September has been cancelled. Please follow the link below for information from last years service.
Find out more