The funeral you arrange for your baby can have as many personal elements as you wish but will need to consider keeping vulnerable people safe. In line with Government guidance, the National Association of Funeral Directors recommends that funeral services consider limiting attendees to members of the immediate family who are not in any of the high-risk categories and are not self-isolating. The immediate family for you baby’s funeral would be:
- Parent/s
- Brothers/Sisters
- Grandparents
Limiting attendees must be done sensitively and take account of individual circumstances. This may mean that a baby’s parents can be consulted on the people whom they feel are closest to them when saying goodbye to their baby and suitable arrangements can be made. Webcasts may be available at a cost for those not attending.
While this will be a very difficult time and you may find it challenging to think of details, we suggest you recruit help from your family to observe other practical arrangements at your baby’s funeral that would avoid the spread of COVID-19:
- Avoiding the use of limousines or vehicles where people from different households would travel in close proximity
- Not advertising the funeral details publicly to reduce the risk of other, well-meaning mourners arriving unexpectedly. They may be turned away at the door, which could be distressing for them and the bereaved family. It will also place funeral key workers at unnecessary risk of harm
- During the service, all mourners should remain two metres apart from anyone not living in their household. We understand it is so hard, but do try and refrain from making physical contact with anyone outside of your household
- All charitable collections should be done online. Sands fundraising team will gladly support you if you email them at fundraising@sands.org.uk or share the link www.sands.org.uk/give-memory